To make things less stressful and worrying for you before flying out, you can look up what available language translation apps you can download to your smartphone to help you get by while exploring the country. Below are some of the most useful Japanese language tools and apps that can make your trip a bit easier:

Google Translate

Google Translate supports a long list of languages, including Japanese, and offers a variety of functions that are easy to use. It can translate Japanese texts to English (or other languages) and vice versa in different ways:

• You type the characters, words, or phrases into the input field. The translation is then displayed in the output field.
• You take a photo of the Japanese text, and use your finger to select and highlight specific words or sentences in the photo that you want to translate.
• You point your smartphone camera at a Japanese text, and get a live translation of it.

With these features, the Google Translate app is especially useful when ordering at restaurants with menus in Japanese. Even though you can just look at the pictures and plastic food displays to decide whether you want a particular food or not, you can utilize the app to get a good translation and avoid asking for something that you might not really want. It can also help you read signs when you are out on the streets, train stations, temples and shrines, malls and department stores, and other tourist attractions.

Download links: iOs (free) | Android (free)

imiwa?

Imiwa? Is an offline Japanese dictionary that has more than several thousands of Japanese words and foreign language translations in store, available for iOS users. It includes more than 170,000 English translations, over 94,000 German translations, around 15,000 French translations, and at least 7,000 Russian translations.

To look up words, you simply input the romaji, kana, or kanji characters, and then get the translation that you need. It is perfect for tourists who have zero or very little Japanese knowledge. Moreover, because it is accessible even if you are not connected to the web, it allows you to search for words even if you do not have a wi-fi SIM card or if you are in an area with weak or no internet connection.

Download link: iOS (free)

Akebi

Akebi is another Japanese dictionary that boasts of a huge database comprised of over 320,000 sample phrases and sentences, 200,000 words, and more than 6,000 kanji. Once you download it, you can enjoy free and unlimited access to its catalogue wherever and whenever, as it is fully available even without internet access.

Its built-in Japanese keyboard lets you input words or phrases you want to translate right away, so you do not have to tinker with your phone’s keyboard settings. It also has handwriting recognition, stroke order, and kanji test features if you plan to venture beyond the basics of the Japanese language after your trip.

Download link: Android (free)

Learn Japanese

Learn Japanese is an easy-to-use Japanese phrasebook app that contains a thousand commonly used, essential Japanese words and phrases when visiting Japan.

Its collection is divided into 21 different categories, such as greetings, general conversation, numbers, time and date, directions and places, and transportation, to allow quick and convenient search.

Even better, it offers audio files for each entry to teach you the correct pronunciation of words and phrases, as demonstrated by native Japanese speakers.

It also lets you mark and save phrases that you expect to come in handy the most to your favourites. It is accessible even without internet connection, and provides free access to the first 200 words and phrases (the rest can be unlocked if you upgrade).

Download link: iOS (free)

Obenkyo

Obenkyo is a good app to have to start learning hiragana, katakana, and kanji. It helps you memorize Japanese characters efficiently, so that you can recognize and read simple Japanese texts without having to whip your smartphone out every single time you encounter Japanese signs while touring Japan.

With katakana and hiragana flashcards, kanji stroke animation and drawing games, quizzes, and other features, remembering as many Japanese characters as you can before you head out to your much-anticipated vacation should not be that much of a problem.

Download link: Android (free)

Yomiwa

Yomiwa is a versatile app that offers a variety of functions that should help make you less anxious of your lack of Japanese language knowledge and skills.

Its dictionary contains thousands of entries that should be able to help you look up translations for words and phrases you can use when asking for directions, ordering at restaurants, greeting and meeting people, and shopping.

With its real-time camera translation ability, you can point your smartphone’s camera at a restaurant menu, a brochure, or a sign to get a live translation of any Japanese text. It also enables the upload of photos from your camera roll that you need translated.

Available for free and accessible offline, it also has a practice drawing kanji feature for those that want to take their Japanese learning to another level.

Download links: iOS (free) | Android (free)

The post 6 Useful Japanese Language Apps That Can Make Your Trip Easier appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

I am pretty sure that if you went to almost any other country you would be just fine with even broken English. But in Japan the knowledge of English language is quite on the low levels. This is mostly caused by the Japanese educational system. The Japanese start studying English only in middle school (junior high school), and the extent of their studies is reading some text while learning grammatical rules by heart. Not a very productive way of learning a language, if you ask me. Alas, you cannot just change the educational system of a whole country overnight and hope that the people will start speaking better English. The real problems might be lying deep down, invisible to bystanders like me.

Here’s an interesting thing though. Even if you ask a question to a random Japanese person in JAPANESE, they might end up replying to you in English, just because they can’t register the fact that a foreigner can learn their language. But let’s be honest, Japanese is indeed a hard language to learn if you compare it to any Romance and Germanic language. Thus this is not a very abnormal situation.

It is true, however, that most of the Japanese people can at least speak a little bit of English. Nonetheless, it might be better to get ready by learning a couple of phrases, instead of leaving everything to goddess of luck. In this article I will try to teach you some of the phrases that you will need during your trip. So buckle up and let’s get started!

Keep in mind, I am using romaji, the Japanese romanised version of spelling. This should be read just as they are written, with every single letter being pronounced.

Konnnichiwa – A phrase you might have heard before, and yes this does mean hello.

Sayonara – Yes, you guessed it! This one is good bye.

Arigatou (gozaimasu) – This one stands for thank you. You can use the gozaimasu if you want to seem polite, since that is the formal version of the phrase.

Doumo – Also stands for thank you, is less formal. It is also an especially good fit for using while doing your shopping or going to a restaurant.

Douitashimashit – What follows a thank you? Yes, you’ve got it, you’re welcome!

Onegai shimasu – The phrase means please, and you can use it in situations when you are asking the person to do something for you.

Hajimemashite – This is a phrase to use when introducing yourself. You could say it means I’m pleased to meet you.

Watashi wa X desu – My name is X.

X kara kimashita/Shusshin wa X desu – Both phrases have the same meaning: I am from X country.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu – The phrase can mean Nice to meet you, but if we translate it to English literally, we will get something along the lines of Please take care of me.

Sumimasen/gomennasai – I’m sorry/Excuse me. These two do have a distinction, but you should be fine using either. What’s interesting though, you can use sumimasen to call the staff in your hotel, in a restaurant, a shop or anywhere else really, as well as as a phrase to kick-start a conversation.

Itadakimasu – You could say this is the Japanese equivalent for Bon Appetite, but not exactly. The phrase does mean Thank you for the food, but is used exclusively before eating.

Gochisousama deshita – Just like itadakimasu, this one also means Thank you for the food. However unlike the former this phrase is used only when you are finished with your food.

Oishii desu! – The food is very tasty!

Takushi noriba wa doko desu ka? – Even though I am strongly against you taking a taxi (these cost a fortune in Japan even for very short distances!), sometimes some things can’t be helped, so here’s a phrase for Where is the taxi stop?

Basutei wa doko desu ka? – Where is the bus station?

Chikaku no eki wa doko desu ka? – Where is the closest train station?

Tsugi no basu wa itsu desu ka? – When is the next bus?

Tsugi no densha wa itsu desu ka? – When is the next train?

X made douyatte ikimasu ka? – How can I go to X place?

Toire wa doko desu ka? – Where is the toilet?

Ikura desu ka? – How much does this cost?

Kore ga kaitai desu – I want to buy this.

X wa doko de kaemasu ka? – Where can I buy the X thing?

Nihongo ga wakarimasen – I don’t understand Japanese.

Eigo hanasemasu ka? – Can you speak English?

WiFi tsukaemasu ka? – Can I use the WiFi?

Hai – Yes.

Iie – No.

These ones are some of the basic phrases you might need as a tourist. But let’s not stop here and dig in a bit deeper. What happens if you suddenly and unexpectedly start feeling sick, and have no choice but to talk to somebody to ask for some immediate help? I know, speaking a foreign language you don’t really know is not going to be your priority, but it would be for the best to calm down and try to explain the situation to your guides and nurses. Here are a few simple phrases that will help you with the task.

Guai wa warui desu – I am feeling bad.

Atama/Onaka ga itai desu – My head/stomach hurts.

Heya ni modoritai desu – I want to go back to my room.

Yoko ni naritai desu – I want to lie down.

Netsu ga arimasu – I have fever.

Hakisou desu – I feel nauseous.

Mou daijoubu desu – I’m alright now.

The phrases listed above are not quite enough to hold up a conversation with a Japanese person, but of course nobody’s going to learn a whole new language for just a couple weeks long trip to the country. Mind you, a lot of foreigners in Japan cannot speak coherent Japanese even though they have lived here for many years. And then again they manage to get by with their lives just fine. Unless you end up in some very rural areas of Japan you will most likely be able to get help and guidance in English, even if not with perfect grammar or pronunciation. This list is just a precaution in case of an emergency!

In any case, I hope you enjoy your trip to Japan with or without this list!

The post Useful Japanese Words/Phrases to Learn for Your Trip appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.