useful phrases in japanese

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Permalink Reply by Lorenzo on June 6, 2012 at 12:31pm

Here are a few easy one's that'll help out I hope:

 

Watashi wa niku o tabemasen (I don't eat meat)

Watashi wa sakana o tabemasen (I don't eat fish)

Watashi wa tamago o tabemasen (I don't eat egg)

Watashi wa gyuunyuu o nomimasen (I don't drink milk)

If you're feeling gusty you can spit out the long version:

Watashi wa niku to sakana to tamago to gyuunyuu o tabemasen.

Or you can try the following which is trickier but will help get you past the "picky eater" barrier (though I've not had a problem with it):

Watashi wa [niku] o taberu koto ga dekimasen (I can't/am unable to eat [meat])

Gohan to yasai to tofu dake kudasai (Rice, vegetables, and tofu only please)

(point and ask) Kore wa nan desuka? (what is this?)

[Sakana] ga arimasuka? Is there [fish]. (listen for "hai" for yes, "iie" (pronounced "ee-eh") or something that ends with "sen" or "nai" for no)

If you are drawing a blank and can't remember the phrase just say the name of the thing you can't eat and make an X with your arms.

niku - meat

gyuuniku - beef

toriniku - chicken

sakana - fish

tamago - egg

bonito dashi - fish stock, very common

gyuunyuu - milk

 

And as always, regardless the outcome, don't forget your good manners at the end with:

arigato gozaimas (thank you)

 

Hope this helps.