Travel is one of the ways to learn Japanese (or any language).
Here are some unexpected benefits of learning Japanese through travel:
- You get communicating right away.
- You do this by learning language in chunks–meaningful pieces that get a person communicating right away.
- You learn grammar and vocabulary completely in context. This makes it much easier to remember.
- You learn to understand, and then produce. This is how we acquire languages.
- You can make a trip so much more rewarding when you can speak a bit of the language. Japanese people are so kind and patient with even just a bit of effort to speak their language.
Below you will find some words and phrases related to an airport. While it is likely that you won’t need to speak Japanese as so many that work at an airport will, it is a great place to start learning Japanese.
Please also note the writing systems. Try to first understand and identify patterns. When you learned to read, you learned to read what the words we say look like. When you can read, you can learn anything. With that said, don’t put too much pressure on yourself at first. Get communicating first. All the chunks you learn will add up to fluency.
Learn Japanese through Travel: At the Airport
At the airport
How many bags are you checking? | Original | あなたは、いくつ のバッグ を 調べ ますか? |
Romaji | Anatawa、 Ikutu No Bag Wo Shirabe Masuka? | |
You need to check this bag. | Original | あなたは、 この バッグ を 調べる 必要 が あります。 |
Romaji | Anatawa、 Kono Bag Wo Shiraberu Hituyou ga Arimasu。 | |
There is a fee for this. | Original | これ には、 手数料 が 掛かり ます。 |
Romaji | Kore Niwa、 Tesuuryou Ga Kakari Masu。 | |
Passport, please. | Original | パスポート を 見せて ください。 |
Romaji | Pasuporto Wo Misete Kudasai。 | |
I would like a window seat. | Original | 窓側 の 席 を お願い します。 |
Romaji | Madogawa No Seki Wo Onegai Shimasu。 | |
I would like an aisle seat. | Original | 通路側 の 席 を お願い します。 |
Romaji | Tuurogawa No Seki Wo Onegai Shimasu。 | |
Pass through. | Original | 前 を 通り ます。 |
Romaji | Mae Wo Toori Masu。 | |
Hands up, please. | Original | 手 を 挙げ て ください。 |
Romaji | Te Wo Age Te Kudasai。 | |
Place laptop and keys here, please. | Original | ここに、ラップトップ と 鍵 を 置いて ください。 |
Romaji | Kokoni、 Laptop To Kagi Wo Oite Kudasai。 | |
Do you have a clear plastic bag? | Original | 透明 な 買物 袋 は ありますか? |
Romaji | Toumei Na Kaimono Fukuro Wa Arimasuka? | |
Have a good trip. | Original | 良い 旅行 を して ください。 |
Romaji | Yoi Ryokou Wo Shite Kudasai。 |
Learn Japanese through travel: waiting for a flight
photo by Midorisyu Waiting for a flight | ||
the bar | Original | 居酒屋 |
(Japanese Style) | Romaji | Izakaya |
duty free | Original | 免税 店 |
Romaji | Menzei Ten | |
gift shop | Original | 土産 店 |
Romaji | Miyage Ten | |
restroom | Original | お手洗い |
Romaji | Otearai | |
news stand | Original | キオスク |
Romaji | kiosk | |
bookstore | Original | 書店 |
Romaji | Shoten |
Please_sit down. | Original | お 座り ください。 |
Romaji | O Suwari Kudasai。 | |
headphones | Original | ヘッド フォン |
Romaji | Heddo Fon | |
magazine | Original | 雑誌 |
Romaji | Zasshi | |
newspaper | Original | 新聞 |
Romaji | Shinbun | |
passport | Original | パスポート |
Romaji | PasuPorto | |
How long do you plan to stay in the country? | Original | その 国 に どのくらい 長く 滞在 する 予定 ですか? |
Romaji | Sono Kuni Ni Donokurai Nagaku Taizai Suru Yotei Desuka? | |
What flight did you arrive on? | Original | どの 便 で 到着 しましたか? |
Romaji | Dono Bin De Touchaku Shimasitaka? | |
Do you have a return ticket? | Original | 往復 チケット は 持って いますか? |
Romaji | Oufuku Chiketto Wa Motte Imasuka? | |
Where will you stay while you are_in_this country? | Original | この 国 で 滞在 中 どちら で 宿泊 しますか? |
Romaji | Kono Kni De Taizai Chu Dochira de Shukuhaku Shimasuka? | |
Do you plan to work while you are here? | Original | こちら に いる 間、 働く 予定 ですか? |
Romaji | Kochira Ni Iru Aida、 Hataraku Yotei Desuka? | |
Here_is_my passport_and landing card. | Original | こちら が、 私 の パスポート と 入国 カード です。 |
Romaji | Kochiraga、 Watashi no Passporto To Nyuukoku Card Desu。 | |
Enjoy_your stay. | Original | ご 滞在 を 楽しんで ください。 |
Romaji | Go Taizai Wo Tanosinde Kudasai。 | |
My luggage is lost. | Original | 私 の 荷物 が、無くなって います。 |
Romaji | Watashi No Nimotu Ga、Nakunatte Imasu。 | |
Where did you travel_from today? | Original | 今日、どこ から 旅行 を しましたか? |
Romaji | Kyo、Doko kara Ryokou Wo Shimasitaka? | |
Do_you_have any items to declare? | Original | 何か 申告 する 物品 は ありますか? |
Romaji | Nanika Shinkoku Suru Buppin Wa Arimasuka? | |
Custom declarations, please. | Original | 税関 申告 を お願い します。 |
Romaji | Zeikan Shinkoku Wo Onegai Shimasu。 | |
Open_your suitcase, please. | Original | あなた の スーツ ケース を 開けて ください。 |
Romaji | Anata No Suit Case Wo Akete Kudasai。 | |
suitcase | Original | スーツ ケース |
Romaji | Suit Case | |
luggage | Original | 荷物 |
Romaji | Nimotu | |
baggage claim ticket | Original | 手 荷物 引渡所 チケット |
Romaji | Te nimotu Hikiwatashi Chiketto | |
My suitcase is black. | Original | 私 の スーツ ケース は、 黒 です。 |
Romaji | Watashi No Suit Case Wa, Kuro Desu。 | |
My suitcase is red. | Original | 私 の スーツ ケース は、 赤 です。 |
Romaji | Watashi No Suit Case Wa, Aka Desu。 | |
My suitcase is blue. | Original | 私 の スーツ ケース は、 青 です。 |
Romaji | Watashi No Suit Case Wa, Ao Desu。 | |
My suitcase is brown. | Original | 私 の スーツ ケース は、 茶 です。 |
Romaji | Watashi No Suit Case Wa, Cha Desu。 | |
My suitcase is gray. | Original | 私 の スーツ ケース は、 グレー です。 |
Romaji | Watashi No Suit Case Wa, Grey Desu。 | |
luggage trolley | Original | (荷物 の) 台車 |
Romaji | (Nimotu No) Daisha |
Do you want the free book with linked audio to learn Japanese through travel? https://reallifelanguage.lpages.co/japanese-for-travel-and-beginners-phrasebook/
My strange podcast.
If you are wondering why there is a download file below, it is a word in Japanese.
We learn languages most effectively in chunks–meaningful words and phrases to communicate right away.
Some years ago, I started sharing these chunks to learn Japanese fast. I added a feed to share. You can create your own playlists, and start speaking in seconds. Check it out here: https://reallifelanguage.lpages.co/japanese-for-travel-and-beginners-podcast/
Want to master a language in the next year? Check out the course here: https://real-life-language.teachable.com/p/the-5-week-linguist
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