h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How to Behave



Japan is a modern society but don't expect the same level of equality between the genders you may have used to. Male-female roles are strictly codified. Women in Japan are subordinate to men in public life. Woman's domain is the home, and takes care of the daily running of domestic affairs. Most of the men carry their pay packet to his wife, who will give money to the husband for his daily needs.
In public life men rule supreme. The role of women is to listen and to serve as vents for male frustrations. Women are expected to be married by the mid-20s. Married women don't usually work.

Etiquette
Social interaction is cluttered with a wide range of dos and don'ts. Using a bit of sensitivity most of it is easy to pick up and it is good to remember that Japanese don't expect foreigners to do no mistakes with etiquette. The traditional mark of respect is bowing. The depth of a bow is an index of status. When bowing with your boss you should bow deeper.

Business card are important in Japan. Cards tell you exactly the status of people you are dealing with. So when going to Japan make sure you have business cards with you and if possible printed in Japanese and English. When a person gives you his card read the card when given and don't never write to a card!

A major difference between Westerners and Japanese is that the Japanese don't make a virtue out of being direct. Because of that you should avoid use straight talk when socialising with the Japanese. Straight talk means that you are vulgar.

Important part of Japanese culture is the exchange of gifts and the return of one kindness for another. Ideally the gift would be something from your own country but some flowers, imported alcohol or chocolates do fine. If you are offered a gift it is polite to put up a brief resistance.

When visiting a Japanese home take of your shoes and wear slippers before entering. Slippers can be used everywhere inside expect the bathroom, where you wear bathroom slippers.


I am not Japanese.)

A wa B dewa arimasen./A wa B ja arimasen.
DEWA ARIMASEN.
Negative form of desu.
Ja arimasen is more informal than dewa arimasen.
(Your teacher isn't Mr.Suzuki.)
Anata no sensei wa Suzuki-san dewa-arimasen.
(Jon's home country isn't England)
Jon-san no kuni wa Igirisu ja-arimasen.

(Mr.Suzuki isn't a doctor.)
Suzuki-san wa isha dewa-arimasen.
Lesson2-6

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‚±‚ê‚́@‚¢‚­‚ç‚Å‚·‚©B(How much is this?)


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KORE
Kore
"this ""this one""it"
Are
"that""that one""over there""it"
Sore
"it""that"


(How much is this?)
Kore wa ikura desu-ka.
(It's 1,000yen.)
Kore wa sen-en desu.
B(How much is that?
Are wa ikura desu-ka
B(It is1,000yen,too. )
Are mo sen-en desu.
odaijini

Take care. Used when someone is sick.
omedeto gozaimasu=parabens
ganbare

Hung in there.Hold out
tadaima

I'm back.
Used when you have just returned home.Usually home.
Irassyai-mase

Come in!/Welcome!
itte-kimasu

I'll be back.
Use when you leave,but return.
Requests
Please give me this/that.
(kore)/(sore) o kudasai

Please wait
o-machi kudasai

Please show me (the ticket).
(kippu o) misete kudasai

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Getting around
i'd like to go to...
...ni ikitai desu

Where is the...?
wa dochira desu ka?

How much is the fare to...?
...made ikura desu ka?

Is the next station...?
tsugi no eki wa...desu ka?

Where is the...exit?
...deguchi wa doko desu ka?

east/west/north/south
higashi/nishi/kita/minami

Where is this address please?
kono jüsho wa doko desu ka?

Could you write down the address for me?
Jüsho o kaite itadakemasen ka

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Accomodation
I'd like a...hotell/inn.
(hoteru)/(ryokan) o sagashiteimasu

Do you have vacancies?
aita heya wa arimasu ka?

I don't have a reservation.
yoyaku wa shiteimasen

a single room
shinguru rümu

a double room
daburu rümu

a Japanese-style room
washitsu

a room with a bath
basu tsuki no heya

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Food
Do you have an English menu?
eigo no menyü wa arimasu ka?

I'm a vegetarian.
watashi wa saishoku-shugisha desu

I would like the set menu please.
setto menyü, o o-negai shimasu

What do you recommend?
o-susume wa nan desu ka?

Please bring the bill
o-kanjö onegai shimasu

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Shopping
How much is this?
kore wa ikura desu ka?

It's too expencive.
taka-sugimasu

Can I have receipt?
ryöshüsho o kudasaimasen ka?

I'm just looking.
miteiru dake desu

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Health
How do you feel?
kibun wa ikaga desu ka?

I don't feel well.
kibun ga warui desu

It hurts here.
koko ga itai desu

I have toothache.
ha ga itamimasu

I'm allergic to antibiotics/penicillin.
Kösei busshitsu/penishirin ni arerugii desu

I need a doctor.
o-isha san ni mite moraitai desu

Emergencies
Help Me!
tasukete!

Watch out!
ki o tsukete!

Call the police!
keisatsu o yonde kudasai!

Call a doctor!
isha o yonde kudasai!