Communication in Japan

[xiaoekin]

Hi All

This April it will be my virgin trip to Tokyo with my dad. As i do not understand or speak Japanese Language, is there any way to communicate with them???

Do they understand At least simple english?

Please advise. Thank you

 

[James Tang]

Some of them understands a bid of english.

It is always good to prepare a map, list of things (with translations) you may need to ask.

Japanese are very helpful so if it is not too far, they may even bring you there if you are asking for directions.

 

[den1555]

if u know where u wanna go, what u wanna buy or wat u wanna eat, and u pre-prepared maps and photos or some names of the stuff, the japanese will be able to help u since they are quite helpful... most of the younger generation can understand eng...

 

[dimitri_can]

Check my guide on e Japan page. Print out before u go

 

[xiaoekin]

Thank you So much

 

[lapucelle]

Few points:

- most service staff in the more touristy areas can understand English
- you may find that some understand English but are too embarrassed to speak it
- a small proportion of service staff in various shops tend to be PRCs so Mandarin can be useful sometimes (look at their name tags)

 

[mazatsushi]

Hi All

This April it will be my virgin trip to Tokyo with my dad. As i do not understand or speak Japanese Language, is there any way to communicate with them???

Do they understand At least simple english?

Please advise. Thank you

They can understand and speak simple English. Do you understand and speak simple Japanese?

 

[xiaoekin]

i dun understand japanese . abit of very very very very very simple jap i am okie.. bt other then that is CMI

 

[samtcy]

Bring a small notepad and pen with you. Sometimes if they can't understand your spoken English, you can try writing it down on paper, because they tend to understand written English better than spoken English.

Also, download free English to Japanese translation dictionary app on your phone, you never know when it might come in use. Make sure that app doesn't require any wifi connection for it to work.

For ordering your food, sometimes I will take a photo using my handphone of the food I want on display outside the restaurant, and then enter and place my order by showing them the pic of the food on my handphone.

 

[xiaoekin]

thank you. that will be easier for me. taking photos..

 

[snap99]

Just point and don't be shy about it.

 

[hawthorne]

Try to learn simple Japanese.
Words like excuse me (sumimasae) are very important to get attention or help

Food wise, try to learn the what is the Japanese translation for meat such as chicken, pork, tuna, swordfish, yellowtail etc

The rest just do pointing or use ur own creativity.

Japanese are helpful, that being said, if u try to ask people during their rush hour, you most likely will get no signal from them

In addition, for people on the streets, I find female then to be more patient than males

But if the people u approach are service staffs, they will definitely go all the way for you.

I dun understand Japanese, but have no problem travelling in Japan.

Look on the bright side, all these uncertainties makes the trip interesting rite

 

[hawthorne]

When talking to Japanese in English, try to speak slowly and avoid proper sentences. Use keywords.

They will try to pick up these keywords and try to get the gist of the question. eg don't ask "excuse me, do you know where is the nearest train station?". Instead, ask "sumisasae, J.R. Station? Where? ". Remember to follow by "arigato gozaimasu" after that

 

[lapucelle]

When talking to Japanese in English, try to speak slowly and avoid proper sentences. Use keywords.

They will try to pick up these keywords and try to get the gist of the question. eg don't ask "excuse me, do you know where is the nearest train station?". Instead, ask "sumisasae, J.R. Station? Where? ". Remember to follow by "arigato gozaimasu" after that

Just a small note. Its "sumimasen".

 

[evilerniex]

it is good to know a few useful phrases in japanese
can refer here:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/basic-japanese-travel-3556604.html#post63050283

it think the most useful ones for me are:
sumimasen (excuse me/sorry)
XYZ wa doko desu ka (where is XYZ?)

 

[samtcy]

Yeah, I used "sumimasen" so frequently when I was in Japan, that when I returned to Singapore, I "sumimasen-ed" to an auntie at NTUC the other day.

Haha.

 

[evilerniex]

Yeah, I used "sumimasen" so frequently when I was in Japan, that when I returned to Singapore, I "sumimasen-ed" to an auntie at NTUC the other day.

Haha.

hahaa.. i almost did that too when i just returned. managed to catch myself in time

 

[xiaoekin]

Thank you so much for the information and help... i hope that i will not look awkward when i in japan when speaking broken english and they look at me weird weird. hahaaa..


Anyway SWish me good luck for my virgin trip..

Oh ya... Any nice and cheap food in japan??? i know when closing, bento can be sold quite cheap bt i wont wanna every day wait till closing then eat bento... haha

 

[sereneong19]

hahaa.. i almost did that too when i just returned. managed to catch myself in time

I almost spoke Malay in time of desperation >.< When I was there. Face palm

 

[k0sm0s]

Haha I find it quite hard to grasp locations when I ask about where is a place, they give super detailed instructions and so I always have to resort asking the police post, which they are incredibly good at giving directions haha.

And do prepare yourself because most people are not prepared to speak english, so don't go thinking you will just find someone in the lobby who can speak it. If a hotel does not say they have english speaking staff, most likely there is no one that is able to.