Language Lesson: 3 Big Words to Break the Ice

Recently, I was buying bread & pastry at a little bakery here in Kobe.

Japan has so many of these delightful, local places, by the way. I really want to show you some! But today’s theme is about language,

While waiting for my order to be completed, I saw a Caucasian gentleman wandering up to the counter. After looking around at the selection of patisserie, he motioned to one of the staff members.

“Sumimasen,” he said in Japanese with an English accent, “nihongo wakarimasen.”

With nothing but those three Japanese words, he communicated to the young woman behind the counter exactly what his situation required. Translated to English, these words mean:

“I’m sorry. I don’t speak Japanese.”

The staff knew right away how to help him. Clearly here was a man who didn’t speak the language but was making the effort, politely. The woman switched to English and said to the man, “it’s no problem, how may I help you?”

From there on it was smooth sailing. He pointed to the items he wanted, smiled, said “please” and “thank you,” etc. Quickly his order was in, the cashier rang him up (confirming the amount in English, and pointing to that same amount displayed on the cash register screen) and he was on his way with delicious bread and sweets to go.

Three Japanese Words Can Often Communicate All You Need

The man in this scenario started with the right words – and the right attitude.

For our lesson today, all you need to remember is:

すみません sumimasen = “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry”

日本語 nihongo = “Japanese”

わかりません wakarimasen = “I don’t understand”

Putting those three words together – “sumimasen, nihongo wakarimasen” – will get you far as a visitor in Japan. Really, it will!

By saying this set phrase, you’re communicating a lot to a Japanese person. 

For starters, of course, you’re telling them politely that you don’t speak Japanese. But you’re also letting them know that you’re trying to make the effort.

And that effort will go a long way! Sometimes it really is the thought that counts. And when communicating in Japan with Japanese people, the fact that you’re making the effort to start the conversation in Japanese will be most appreciated.

If your Japanese counterpart happens to speak English, as the bakery staff member did (and as many Japanese people do, at least to some extent), all the better.

But even if a person doesn’t speak English, the fact that you started in Japanese will make them more likely to try to help – either by getting someone who does speak English; by using a dictionary or translation app; or by using the good old ‘sign language’ attempt.

What Happens If You Don’t Start Speaking in Japanese?

Too often, Japanese people will hear visitors start with, “Can you speak English?”

While we understand that the traveler in that case may be trying to convey (indirectly) that they don’t speak Japanese, what’s also being communicated is that they couldn’t be bothered to learn even the basic (three!) words in Japanese to say this. That they assumed that anyone in a ‘foreign’ country should be able to speak English. And that, despite being a guest in Japan, they somehow want to place the onus on us to speak in English?

That’s not right. There’s a better way.

Start with (Even Basic) Japanese – And Reap the Benefits in Japan

This is why I’m sharing the story about the bakery with you.

And helping you learn those three words that will get you far in Japan — whether you’re a solo traveler, here on a family vacation or enjoying your honeymoon in Japan.

“Sumimasen. Nihongo wakarimasen.”

Open your conversations in Japan with this phrase, and you’ll be glad that you did.

Of course, it’s even better if you speak more Japanese than that. But, unless you’ve lived in Japan or have been studying Japanese for quite some time, it’s likely that you may struggle with conversations in Japanese on your first visit to Japan. And that’s totally fine!

Letting the other person know – in their language – that you apologetically don’t speak their language (or don’t speak it well enough) is a good starter.

As you learn more Japanese, you can use more words in your daily interactions in Japan. But you’ll always be able to fall back on those three magic words:

“Sumimasen. Nihongo wakarimasen.”

すみません。日本語、わかりません。

That’s our lesson for today.

I hope you’ll be able to use this phrase on your Japan travels in the near future.

Until then, please let us know in the comments below – or by using this contact form – if you have any questions.