If you’re in Japan, the phrase “どういういみですか” would probably be the most frequently used. When you don’t understand the meaning of what the other person is saying, you use this phrase to ask for clarification.

おとこ

どういういみですか。

dōiu imidesu ka

What do you mean?

When responding, you would say, ‘It means…’ using the phrase “〜といういみです。“

けいかん

ドライバーライセンスといういみです。

doraibāraisensu to iu imidesu

It means a driver’s license.

If you still can’t understand what the other person is saying, you can say:

おとこ

すみません、わかりません。

sumimasen wakarimasen

Sorry. I don’t understand.

“おねがいします” in Japanese translates to “Please” or “I request” in English. It is commonly used to make polite requests, ask for favors, or express a polite wish for something to happen.

けいかん

めんきょしょうおねがいします。

menkyoshō onegaishimasu

License, please.

“Yes” is the equivalent of “はい” in Japanese, and “no” is equivalent to “いいえ” This is a formal way of expressing agreement or disagreement.

けいかん

はい、めんきょうしょうです。

hai menkyoshō desu

Yes, license.

おとこ

いいえ、日本語わかりません。

īe, nihongo wakarimasen

No, I don’t understand Japanese.

However, among friends or family members, a more casual way of saying “yes” is “うん” and “no” can be expressed as “いや”

おばあさん

たけし、みかんたべる？

takeshi, mikan taberu?

Takeshi, do you want to eat a tangerine?

たけし

いや、たべない。

iya, tabenai

No, I don’t want it.

おばあさん

じゃあ、りんごたべる？

jā, ringo taberu?

So, what about an apple?

たけし

うん、たべる。

un, taberu

Yeah, I’ll eat it.