Understanding and repeating

❃ Understanding and repeating

日本語/フランス語/英語を話せますか？ [ nihongo/furansugo/eigo o hanasemasu ka? ]: Do you speak Japanese/French/English?
私は日本語が下手です。 [ Watashi wa Nihongo ga heta desu. ]: I’m not good at Japanese.
分かりません。 [ Wakarimasen ]: I don't understand.
ゆっくり話してください。 [ Yukkuri hanashite kudasai ]: Could you speak slowly?
もう一度言ってください。 [ Mō ichido itte kudasai ]: Could you say that again?
日本語はとても難しいです。 [ Nihongo wa totemo muzukashii desu ]: Japanese is very difficult.
翻訳アプリを使ってもいいですか？ [ hon yaku apuri o tsukattemo ii desu ka ]: Can I use a translation app?
どういう意味ですか。 [ Dō iu imi desu ka? ]: What does it mean?
もう一度お願いします。 [ Mou ichido onegaishimasu. ]: Could you say that again, please?
〜は日本語で何と言いますか。 [ ~ wa Nihongo de nan to iimasu ka? ]: How do you say ~ in Japanese?
これはどう読みますか。 [ Kore wa dō yomimasu ka? ]: How do you read this?
漢字が読めません。 [ Kanji ga yomemasen. ]: I can't read Kanji.
ひらがなで書いてください。 [ Hiragana de kaite kudasai. ]: Please write it in hiragana.
ローマ字で書いてください。 [ Rōmaji de kaite kudasai. ]: Please write it in romaji.
わかります。 [ Wakarimasu. ]: I understand.
わかりません。 [ Wakarimasen. ]: I don't understand.
日本語が少しわかります。 [ Nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu. ]: I understand a little Japanese.
もう少しゆっくり話してください。 [ Mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai. ]: Please speak a little slower.
書いてください。 [ Kaite kudasai. ]: Please write it down.
これは日本語で何と言いますか。 [ Kore wa nihongo de nan to iimasu ka. ]: How do you say this in Japanese?
「〜」はどういう意味ですか。 [ ... wa dou iu imi desu ka. ]: What does "..." mean?
英語を話せますか。 [ Eigo o hanasemasu ka. ]: Do you speak English?
フランス語がわかる人はいますか。 [ Furansugo ga wakaru hito wa imasu ka. ]: Is there anyone who understands French?
私の発音は合っていますか。 [ Watashi no hatsuon wa atte imasu ka. ]: Is my pronunciation correct?
意味がわかりました。 [ Imi ga wakarimashita. ]: I understand what you mean.
すみません、聞き取れませんでした。 [ Sumimasen, kikitoremasen deshita. ]: Sorry, I didn't catch that.

Cultural notes

Navigating a language barrier in Japan requires a delicate balance of humility and clarity. Japanese culture places a tremendously high value on the concept of "Kuuki o yomu" (空気を読む), which literally translates to "reading the air." It means anticipating what the other person wants, feels, or needs without them having to state it directly. Because Japanese is a high-context language, many things are left unsaid, implied by the situation or the relationship between speakers. However, as a foreigner or a language learner, you are not expected to read the air perfectly. In fact, it is perfectly acceptable and highly appreciated when you politely ask for clarification rather than nodding along and pretending to understand to save face. Phrases like "Mou ichido onegaishimasu" (もう一度お願いします - Could you say that again, please?) or "Mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai" (もう少しゆっくり話してください - Please speak a little slower) are absolute lifesavers. It is important to approach these requests with an apologetic tone, usually prefacing them with "Sumimasen" (すみません), acknowledging that you are taking up their time. Additionally, Japan is a country that relies heavily on its complex writing system containing Chinese characters (Kanji). Because the Japanese language has many homophones (words that sound identical but mean entirely different things based on their Kanji), asking "Kaite kudasai" (書いてください - Please write it down) is not just a crutch for foreigners; it is a natural strategy that Japanese people themselves use daily to clarify meaning. Admitting you are lost by simply saying "Wakarimasen" (わかりません - I don't understand) is honest, saves everyone's time, and usually prompts a kind, simplified explanation.

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