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Language Phrasebook

• What Japanese phrase can I use to say I feel unwell?

  "Guai ga warui desu" (I feel unwell) covers it, and pointing to where it hurts usually gets the rest across. For anything serious, don't hesitate — call 119 for an ambulance.

• What Japanese phrase can I use to get help from the police?

  "Tasukete kudasai" (please help me) and "Keisatsu o yonde kudasai" (please call the police) are the basics. In an emergency, dial 110 to reach the police directly. You can also just walk into any neighborhood "koban" police box.

• What Japanese phrase can I use to tell a taxi driver where to go or stop?

  Showing an address or a map on your phone is the most reliable way to communicate your destination. "Koko made onegai shimasu" (to this place, please) plus your map works well, and "Koko de tomete kudasai" gets you dropped off where you want.

• What Japanese phrase can I use to explain a problem at the hotel front desk?

  "~o onegai shimasu" ("~, please") covers most requests. Specific problems — a lost key, Wi-Fi not working — often get across fine with a single word plus gestures.

• What Japanese phrase can I use to report something lost?

  "~o wasuremashita/nakushimashita" ("I left/lost ~") gets the situation across. Tell station staff if it's on a train, tell the shop if it's inside a store, and go to a koban police box if you're not sure or think it may have been stolen.