41 Super Useful Basic Japanese Phrases
To Help You Get Going in the Classroom

Yup, We heard your requests for some basic Japanese phrases for use in the classroom. So here they are. (You can stop e-mailing us now). This lesson is for those teaching the kiddies in the trenches or are soon to. Those wishing to take their Japanese to the next level need to check out TELL ME MORE Japanese Language Learning Software A solid product that can really make a difference in your fluency.

Because this lesson focuses on kids, we're going to have to assume here that the adults you may be teaching or will teach know the meaning of "open your book please." If they don't you might want to consider changing schools). One quick word of warning though. Most employers don't like it when their teachers use Japanese in the classroom. Just a heads up eh.

Also, you should move away from using these basic Japanese phrases as soon as you can. (One good method is to say the Japanese phrase first and then immediately follow it with the English equivalent so that you can "mainstream" that English term and get them used to hearing it). After all the kiddies are there to learn English right? Ok, enough said.

Basic Japanese Phrases with 'Kudasai'

• Mite kudasai --- Look please.
• Kaite kudasai ---Write please.
• Yonde kudasai --- Read please.
• Shizukani shite kudasai --- Be quiet please.
• Suwatte kudasai --- Sit down please.
• Tatte kudasai --- Stand up please.
• Narande kudasai --- Line up please.
• Itte kudasai --- Speak please.
• Yamete kudasai --- Please stop doing that.
• Hon o akete kudasai --- open your books.
• 16 peji o akete kudasai --- Turn to page 16.
• Tsugi no peji o akete kudasai --- Turn to the next page.
• Kite kudasai --- Come here please.

Tip For Surviving in the Classroom...

Note: to avoid sounding robotic you can change all of these basic Japanese phrases from ending in "kudasai" to ending in "ne." So, you can say "kaite ne" to mean something like "won't you write (it)?" It's softer or more gentle than the direct request with "kudasai." More on using "ne" here.

Can You Make it Simpler?...

We can try. You can also just completely drop "kudasai" and use the conjunctive form of the verb. More here. So you would be saying simply "kite" to mean "come here." Again without "kudasai," it's gentler.

Here are some more phrases based on the above. These will help you in drilling language targets, doing games etc. "Kudasai" is in parenthesis meaning it can be left off. If you choose to include it, understand that you're making a direct request.

• Mo ikkai ---- Once more.
• Mo ikkai itte ne --- Won’t you say it once more?
• Hayaku itte (kudasai) --- Say it fast.
• Motto hayaku itte (kudasai) --- Say it even faster.
• kono kado o mite (kudasai) --- Look at the card
• Hayaku go kai itte (kudasai) --- Say it 5 times fast.

Basic Japanese Phrases With 'Masho'

"Masho" parallels "let's" in English. So as you might have guessed it's a very popular pattern and can used in countless basic Japanese phrases. Avoiding confrontation is big in Japan - but I digress...

• X o utai masho --- Let's sing X. (Whatever X is).
• Hon o akemasho --- Let's open (our) books.
• Tachimasho --- Let's stand up.
• Gemu o shimasho --- Let's play a game.
• Utai masho --- Let's sing.
• Odori masho --- Let's dance.
• Fukusyu shimasho --- Let's review.

Basic Japanese Phrases and Playing Games

• Dono gemu ga shitai? --- What game do you want to play? (Direct style).
• 3 retsu ni natte (kudasai) --- Let's make 3 rows.
• Sensei no mane o shite (kudasai) --- Do as the teacher does.
• Maru ni natte suwatte (kudasai) --- Sit in a circle.
• Senshu no fukusyu o shimasyo --- Let's review last weeks lesson.
• Te o tsunaide utaimasyo --- Join hands and let's sing.
• (Tonari no hito to) te o tsunaide --- Join hands with the person next to you.

Basic Japanese Phrases To Use With Giving Tests

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