JAPAN
Speakin’ Japanese illustration

(Stripes Japan)

Do you have your shopping list? = “Kaimono risuto wa mottekimashitaka?” 買い物リストは持って来ましたか?

I want to get good deals on fresh fish. = “Osakana wo yasuku kaitaidesu.” お魚を安く買いたいです。

Do you carry miso paste? = “Miso wa kaimonokago ni iremashitaka?” 味噌は買い物かごに入れましたか?

What is today’s special? = “Kyo no tokubaihin wa nandesuka?” 今日の特売品は何ですか?

I’ll take one kilo of this. How much? = “Korewo ichi-kiro itadakimasu. Ikura desuka?” これを1キロいだたきます。いくらですか?

I’m hungry! Let’s grab a quick bite from the food stall over there. = “Onakaga sukimashita. Asokono yataide nanika tabemasho.” お腹が空きました。あそこの屋台で何かたべましょう。

  • Crab legs = kani no ashi 蟹の足

  • Salmon = sake/saamon 鮭 / サーモン

  • Tuna = maguro 鮪

  • Salmon caviar = ikura/sujiko いくら / 筋子

  • Octopus = tako 蛸

  • Seaweed = nori/wakame/konbu 海苔

  • Eggs = tamago 玉子 / 卵

  • Onion = tamanegi 玉葱

  • Pumpkin = kabocha かぼちゃ

  • Strawberries = ichigo いちご

  • Persimmon = kaki 柿

  • Discount = nebiki 値引き

  • Busy = nigiyaka 賑やか

  • Crowded = kondeiru 混んでいる

Pronunciation key: “A” is short (like “ah”); “E” is short (like “get”); “I” is short (like “it”); “O” is long (like “old”); “U” is long (like “tube”); and “AI” is a long “I” (like “hike”). Most words are pronounced with equal emphasis on each syllable, but “OU” is a long “O” with emphasis on that syllable.

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