Everything Tourists Get Wrong About Japanese Politeness
To say excuse me / sorry / thank you in Japanese, say すみません (sumimasen).
You have been taught Japanese politeness backwards. Kofuku and Hana fix it.
すみません
sumimasen
excuse me / sorry / thank you
Why this phrase
A 4-5 minute deep dive taught as a warm Kofuku and Hana dialogue on how Japanese politeness actually works for beginners, and the mistakes learners make.
Up next
Survival
▶
Your Backpack Just Hit the Beam. That Sign Is Not the Temple's Name.
Zujō chūi · Watch your head.
Survival
▶
That Little Card Owns the Table
yoyaku-seki · reserved table
Survival
▶
The Bill Charged You for the Chair
Sekiryō · seat charge
Survival
▶
You Only Drank Tea. They Still Split It by Headcount.
Warikan ni shiyō · Let's split it evenly.
More phrases like this
- Did You Catch That? That Wasn't Water. · Mizuwari
- They Knocked. Your Bath Is Over. · O-jikan desu
- Your Banknote Is Sitting on the Shrine Grate · saisen
- Two Words That Make Konbini Snacks Twice as Good · atatakai ku shite kudasai
- There Is No Cord to Pull. Your Stop Just Left Without You. · tsugi tomarimasu
- Your Ringtone Answered the Announcement · manā mōdo
- You Ordered the Pine. That Set Is Usually the Top Price. · Ume de onegai shimasu
- You Let the Red Sign Drive Past. That Taxi Was Empty. · Kūsha
- You Nodded and Bought the Ride Back · katamichi de onegai shimasu
- She Never Said No · muzukashii desu ne
- You Smiled. The Cookie Was Gone. · tabechatta
- That Sign Is Not a Cafe · Īto-in
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