Japanese polite phrases game
Thirteen phrases, and the first to understand is sumimasen, which apologises, gets attention and thanks someone all at once. The set also has the two that bracket a meal, itadakimasu before and gochisōsama deshita after.
13 words 5 games Free · no signup
Five games take this set. Flooded Hold is the one to play, because several of these overlap in English and a game that asks whether a pairing is right is better at separating them than one that offers a list.
The 13 words you will practise
| Japanese | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu | Thank you | ah-ree-GAH-toh goh-zye-mahs |
| どういたしましてdō itashimashite | You're welcome | doh ee-tah-shee-MASH-teh |
| お願いしますonegaishimasu | Please | oh-neh-guy-shee-MAHS |
| くださいkudasai | Please give me | koo-dah-SIGH |
| すみませんsumimasen | Excuse me, sorry | soo-mee-mah-SEN |
| ごめんなさいgomen nasai | I'm sorry | goh-men nah-SIGH |
| 申し訳ありませんmōshiwake arimasen | I am deeply sorry | moh-shee-WAH-keh ah-ree-mah-sen |
| 失礼しますshitsurei shimasu | Excuse me for the rudeness | sheet-soo-ray shee-MAHS |
| いただきますitadakimasu | I gratefully receive | ee-tah-dah-kee-MAHS |
| ごちそうさまでしたgochisōsama deshita | Thank you for the meal | goh-chee-SOH-sah-mah desh-tah |
| お疲れ様ですotsukaresama desu | Thank you for your hard work | oh-tsoo-kah-reh-sah-mah dess |
| おめでとうございますomedetō gozaimasu | Congratulations | oh-meh-deh-toh goh-zye-mahs |
| 頑張ってganbatte | Good luck, do your best | gahn-BAHT-teh |
Want the explanations rather than the drill? Read the Japanese polite phrases lesson.
5 games run on this set
- Sky Rescue: 10 rounds
- Pop Quiz: 10 rounds
- Kraken Escape: 48 rounds
- Warp Run: 10 rounds
- Flooded Hold: 6 rounds
Questions
Sumimasen or gomen nasai?
Sumimasen is the wider one: excuse me, sorry, and often thank you when someone has gone out of their way. Gomen nasai is a plainer apology and more personal. Mōshiwake arimasen, also in the set, is the formal one you would hear from staff.
What are itadakimasu and gochisōsama deshita?
The bookends of a meal. Itadakimasu is said before eating, roughly I humbly receive, and gochisōsama deshita after it, thanking whoever provided the food. Both are said even when eating alone.
When do I say ganbatte?
Before something someone has to get through: an exam, a match, a hard day. It means do your best, and it is closer to an encouragement than to good luck, which is a difference worth feeling rather than translating.
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