Basic Words

1. うー

   U-u

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; also works when someone checks something with you

   Grammar Note

   The polite yes used with elders; among friends people say "ai"

2. あらん

   A-ran

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; say it gently to stay polite

   Grammar Note

   The negative "it is not"

3. うにげーさびら

   U-ni-gee-sa-bi-ra

   Please

   Usage

   Add it when asking for something; it also works on its own

4. にふぇーでーびる

   Ni-fee-dee-bi-ru

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you when you receive something or get help

5. ちゃーびらさい

   Chaa-bi-ra-sai

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past someone

   Grammar Note

   Men say chaabirasai, women say chaabiratai

6. わっさいびーん

   Was-sai-biin

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology when you are at fault — bumping into someone, making a mistake

7. でーじあらん

   Dee-ji a-ran

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both to wave off an apology and to decline help or concern

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it is no big deal" — the way to say it's fine

8. わかいびらん

   Wa-kai-bi-ran

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say this first when the language is not getting through; people will rephrase

9. わかいびたん

   Wa-kai-bi-tan

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood; it also signals agreement

10. うわいびたん

    U-wai-bi-tan

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you are done with a meal, a payment, or a procedure

11. まちょーきみそーれー

    Ma-choo-ki mi-soo-ree

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to hold on

    Grammar Note

    -misooree is the polite request ending

12. いふぇーまっちょーけー

    I-fee mat-choo-kee

    Just a moment

    Usage

    For just a few seconds — while you find your wallet or your bag

13. うふっちゅちゅい

    U-fuc-chu chu-i

    One adult, please

    Usage

    At a ticket window or entrance, to state how many people

    Grammar Note

    ufucchu = an adult, chui = one person

14. よやくねーやびらん

    Yo-ya-ku nee-ya-bi-ran

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say this first when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. よやくあいびーん

    Yo-ya-ku ai-biin

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At the front desk; follow it with your name

16. たしきてぃくぃみそーれー

    Ta-shi-ki-ti kwi-mi-soo-ree

    Please help me

    Usage

    Call for help in an emergency — it is fine to shout this

17. なーちけーうにげーさびら

    Naa-chi-kee u-ni-gee-sa-bi-ra

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what they just said

    Grammar Note

    naachikee means "once more"

18. よーんなーはなちくぃみそーれー

    Yoon-naa ha-na-chi kwi-mi-soo-ree

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast; people almost always slow down

    Grammar Note

    yoonnaa means "slowly"

19. いふぇーだけーはなさりーん

    I-fee-da-kee ha-na-sa-riin

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Keeps the conversation going while lowering expectations

20. えーごーはなさりーみ？

    Ee-goo ha-na-sa-rii-mi?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a shared language when you need to discuss something complicated

    Grammar Note

    The ending -mi marks a question

21. くり

    Ku-ri

    This

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at something in front of you

22. うり

    U-ri

    That

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at something near the other person

23. あり

    A-ri

    That over there

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at something further away

24. くま

    Ku-ma

    Here

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at a place

25. んま

    N-ma

    There

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at a place

    Grammar Note

    ?Nma, i.e. nma, means "there, over there, that way". It forms a set with kuma "here" and ama "over there".

26. あま

    A-ma

    Over there

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at a place further away

27. わん

    Wan

    I / Me

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at yourself

28. うんじゅ

    Un-ju

    You

    Usage

    The polite second person; the familiar yaa is avoided here because it also means "house"

29. まじゅん

    Ma-jun

    Together

    Usage

    Use to say you want to go along with someone

30. ちゅい

    Chu-i

    One person

    Usage

    Point at it to give the size of your party

31. たい

    Ta-i

    Two people

    Usage

    Point at it to give the size of your party

32. みっちゃい

    Mit-chai

    Three people

    Usage

    Point at it to give the size of your party

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