20+ Basic Japane Phrases You’ll Use Over and Over
Do you want to know a lot of Japanese Phrases?
Then read here! After remembering them, I’m sure your Japanese will turn like native Japanese speakers!
Let’s go!
Can’t read between the lines!：___は空気が読めない！(___kūki ga yome nai)
When a person doesn’t understand someone’s real feelings or intentions from what they say, you would be able to use “___は空気が読めない！(___kūki ga yome nai)” which means “___ can’t read between the lines!”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations. The polite way to use it is “___は空気が読めません。(___kūki ga yome masen)” or “___は理解出来ていません。(___wa rikai dekite imasen)” Furthermore, native speakers often omit “が” of “空気が読めない(kūki ga yome nai)”, so that would be “空気読めない”. Lastly, “空気を読む(kūki wo yomu)” means “to read between the lines.”
Sample 1
tatsuya昨日レイがさぁ、飲み会の途中で帰ったんだよ。 (Yesterday, we were even in the middle of the drinking party, but Rei left.) (kinō Rei ga sa, nomikai no tochū de kaetta nda yo.)
yukaレイって空気読めないよね？草 (Rei can’t read between the lines, right? hehe) (Rei tte kūki yomenai yone? kusa)
tatsuyaうん。気づいたらいなかったよ。 (Yeah. When I noticed, he was gone.) (un. kidzuitara inakatta yo.)
Sample 2
yuka昨日、ミクと一緒にカラオケに行ったのに、一曲も歌わなかったんだよ！？どう思う？ (Yesterday, Miku and I went to the karaoke bar together, but she didn’t sing even one song. What do you think?) (kinō, Miku to issho ni karaoke ni itta no ni, ikkyoku mo utawanakatta nda yo! ? dō omou?)
tatsuyaミクって空気読めないよね？笑 (Miku can’t read between the lines, right?) (Miku tte kūki yomenai yone? wara)
yukaだよね。次はマイと行こうっと。 (Right. I’ll go there with Mai next time.) (dayone. tsugi wa Mai to ikou tto.)
Catch a cold：風邪をひく。(kaze wo hiku)
When you become ill with a cold., you would be able to use “風邪をひく。(kaze wo hiku)” which means “Daydream.”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is 風邪をひきます。(kaze wo hiki masu)” and which is also used as formal. Additionally, native speakers often omit “を” of “風邪をひく。(kaze wo hiku)”, so that would be “風邪ひく。(kaze hiku)”.
Sample 1
yuka喉痛いなー。風邪ひいたかも。 (My throat hurts. I think I caught a cold.) (nodo ina-. kaze hīta kamo.)
tatsuya水いる？ (Do you want to drink water?) (mizu iru?)
Sample 2
yukaあれ？レイは？ (Oh, where is Rei?) (are? Rei wa?)
tatsuya風邪ひいたんだって。 (I heard Rei caught a cold.) (kaze hīta n datte.)
yuka大丈夫かなー？ (I wonder if he’s OK.) (daijōbu kana-?)
Sample 3
tatsuya風邪ひいてるの？ (Did you catch a cold?) (kaze hī teru no?)
yukaひいてないよ。喉が痛いだけ。 (No. I just have a sore throat.) (hī te nai yo. nodo ga itai dake.)
Look down on someone!：見下す！(mikudasu)
When a person is better or more important than someone else, or to think that something is not good enough for hi/her, you would be able to use “見下す！(mikudasu)” which means “Look down on someone!”. Everybody could use this phrase both in daily conversations as casual and in business situations as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaゆかって自転車乗れるの？ (Can you ride a bicycle, Yuka?) (Yuka tte jitensha noreru no?)
yuka完全に見下してるよね？草 乗れるよ！ (You’re completely looking down on me, aren’t you? haha I can!) (kanzen ni mikudashiteru yone? kusa noreru yo!)
tatsuyaごめんごめん！見下してないよ。でも、乗れるかなー？って思って。笑 (Sorry, sorry! I don’t but I was wondering if you ride a bicycle. haha) (gomen gomen! mikudashite nai yo. demo, noreru kana-? tte omotte.wara)
Sample 2
yukaレイって賢いよね？ (Rei’s is smart, isn’t he?) (Rei tte kashikoi yone?)
tatsuyaうん。でも、レイってクラスのみんなを見下してるよね？ (Yeah. But, he’s looking down on everyone in his class, doesn’t he?) (un. demo, Rei tte kurasu no min’na wo mikudashiteru yone?)
yukaうーん、分かんない。 (Umm, I’m not sure.) (u-n, wakan’nai.)
Change jobs：転職する。(tenshoku suru)
When a person changes to a different type of job from the one he/she has been doing”, you would be able to use “転職する。(tenshoku suru)” which means “Change jobs”. Everybody could use this phrase both in daily conversations as casual and in business situations as formal. The polite way to use it is “転職します。(tenshoku shimasu)”.
Sample 1
tatsuya先月から違う会社で働いてるよ。 (I’d been working for the other company from last month.) (sengetsu kara chigau kaisha de hataraiteru yo.)
yuka転職したの？ (Did you change jobs?) (tenshoku shita no?)
tatsuyaうん。あれ？言ってなかったっけ？ (Yes. Oh, didn’t I tell you?) (un. are? itte nakatta kke?)
Sample 2
tatsuyaいつ転職するの？ (When are you going to change jobs?) (itsu tenshoku suru no?)
yuka来年の四月に転職するよ。 (I will be changing jobs in April.) (rainen no shigatsu ni tenshoku suru yo.)
Have a crush on___!：___にほれる！(___ni horeru)
When you have a feeling of romantic love for someone, especially someone you do not know well, you would be able to use “___にほれる！(___ni horeru)” which means “Have a crush on“. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “_にほれます！(ni horemasu)”. and which is also used in business situations as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaレイってもてもてだね。 (Rei’s popular with girls.) (Rei tte motemote dane.)
yuka実は・・・レイにほれてるの。 (Honestly… I have a crush on him.) (jitsu wa…Rei ni horeteru no.)
tatsuyaえ？知らなかった！ (Wow! I didn’t know that!) (e? shirana katta!)
Sample 2
yukaレイって超かっこいいよねー！ (Rei’s so hot!) (Rei tte chō kakkoī yo ne-!)
tatsuyaあいつにほれてるの？ (Do you have a crush on him?) (aitsu ni horeteru no?)
yukaそうかもね。草 (Could be.) (sō kamo ne. kusa)
Winter vacation/holiday：冬休み。(fuyu yasumi)
When you want to explain a period of rest from work or studies taken in winter, you would be able to use “冬休み。(fuyu yasumi)” which means “Winter vacation/holiday”. Everybody could use this phrase both in daily conversations as casual and in business situations as formal. Additionally, “a summer vacation/break” is “夏休み。(natsu yasumi)”.
Sample 1
tatsuyaやっと、冬休みがきたよ。 (Winter vacation/holiday is finally here.) (yatto, fuyu yasumi ga kita yo.)
yuka冬休みはどれくらいあるの？ (How long is your winter vacation/holiday?) (fuyuyasumi wa dore kurai aru no?)
tatsuya二週間だよ。ゆかは？ (It’s two weeks. How about you, Yuka?) (ni shūkan dayo. Yuka wa?)
Sample 2
yuka明日から友達とキャンプに行くよ。 (I’m gonna go camping with my friend from tomorrow.) (ashita kara tomodachi to kyanpu ni iku yo.)
tatsuya今夏休みですか？ (Are you on summer vacation/holiday now?) (ima natsuyasumi desu ka?)
yukaそうだよ！来週まで夏休みなんだ。 (Yeah! I’m on summer vacation/holiday until next week.) (sōda yo! raishū made natsu yasumi na’nda.)
Betray!：裏切る！(uragiru)
When a person betrays someone who loves or trusts the person, the person actions hurt and disappoint him/her, especially someone you do not know well, you would be able to use “裏切る！(uragiru)” which means “Betray!”. Everybody could use this in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “裏切ります。(uragiri masu)”. and which is also used in business situations as formal. Furthermore, “裏切り者(uragii mono)” means “back-stabber”.
Sample 1
tatsuyaマイって性格良さそうだよね？ (Mai seems like she’s such a good person.) (Mai tte seikaku yosasō dayo ne?)
yukaマイ好きじゃないよ。だって、私を裏切ったもん。 (I don’t like Mai. Cuz she betrayed me.) (Mai suki janai yo. datte, watashi wo uragitta mon.)
tatsuyaえっ！？そうなの？ (What? Are you sure?) (e! ? sō nano?)
Sample 2
yukaマイは裏切り者だよ。 (Mai’s a back-stabber.) (Mai wa uragiri mono dayo.)
tatsuyaゆかのこと裏切ったんだよね？ (She betrayed you, right?) (Yuka no koto uragitta nda yone?)
yukaうん。みんな知ってるよ。 (Yeah. Everyone knows about it.) (un. min’na shitteru yo.)
Shoplift：万引きする！(manbiki suru)
When you want to explain that the illegal act of taking goods from a shop without paying for them, you would be able to use “万引きする。(manbiki suru)” which means “Shoplift”. Everybody could use in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “万引きします。(manbiki shimasu)”. and which is also used in business situations as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaマサが万引きで捕まったらしいよ。 (I heard Masa got caught by a police for shoplifting.) (Masa ga manbiki de tsukamatta rashī yo.)
yukaえっ？万引きなんて良くないよ！ (What? Shoplifting isn’t good!) (e? manbiki nante yokunai yo!)
tatsuyaだよね。 (I know.) (dayo ne.)
Sample 2
yuka妹の友達が万引きで捕まったんだって！ (I heard my sister’s friend got caught by a police for shoplifting.) (imōto no tomodachi ga manbiki de tsukamatta n datte!)
tatsuya万引きは犯罪だよ。 (Shoplifting is a crime.) (manbiki wa hanzai dayo.)
yukaいい子だと思ったんだけどなー。 (I thought she was nice though.) (ī ko dato omotta n dakedo na-.)
Daydream/Zone out：ボーっとする。(bōtto suru)
When you stop paying attention and not hear or see what is around you for a short period of time, you would be able to use “ボーっとする。(bōtto suru)” which means “Daydream.”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “ボーっとします。(bōtto shimasu)” and which is also used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuya聞いてる？・・・ねぇ？ (Are you listening to me?… Hello?) (kii teru?… nē?)
yukaあ、ごめん。ボーっとしてた。 (Oh, sorry. I was zoned out.) (a, gomen. bōtto shiteta.)
tatsuyaもしかして、疲れてる？ (Are you by chance tired?) (moshikashite, tsukareteru?)
Sample 2
yuka週末はいつも何してるの？ (What do you do on the weekends?) (shūmatsu wa itsumo nani shiteru no?)
tatsuya特に何も。テレビの前でボーっとしてるよ。 (Nothing really. I just zone out in front of the TV.) (tokuni nani mo. terebi no mae de bōtto shiteru yo.)
yuka今週末遊ぼうよ！ (Let’s hang out this weekend.) (ima shūmatsu asobou yo!)
If you like ___： (もし)良かったら___(moshi yokattara___)
When you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way, you would be able to use ” (もし)良かったら___(moshi yokattara___)” which means “If you like ___”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is ” (もし)良ろしければ___(moshi yoroshi kereba___)” and which is also used as formal that is “If you’d like ___”.
Sample 1
tatsuya日本語はまだ上手く話せないんだー。 (I don’t still speak Japanese very well.) (nihongo wa mada umaku hanase nai nda-.)
yukaよかったら、日本語を教えるよ。 (If you like, I will teach you Japanese.) (yokattara, nihongo wo oshieru yo.)
tatsuyaありがとう！ (Thank you!) (arigatō!)
Sample 2
yukaもうちょっとここいない？ (Can we stay here a little longer?) (mō chotto koko inai?)
tatsuyaうん、ゆかがよかったらいいよ。 (Yeah, if you like.) (un, Yuka ga yokattara ī yo.)
yukaありがとう！ (Thanks!) (arigatō!)
That’s what I thought!：そうだと思った！(sō dato omotta)
When either you have the same thought as a person or that’s what you figured out., you would be able to use “そうだと思った！(sō dato omotta)” which means “That’s what I thought!”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “そうだと思いました。(sō dato omoi mashita)”. And “私もそう思っておりました。(watashi mo sō omotte orimashita)” or 私も同意見でした。(watashi mo dō iken desita)” is used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaなんで昨日、学校来なかったの？ (Why didn’t you come to school yesterday?) (nande kinō, gakkō konakatta no?)
yukaめんどくさかったから・・・草 (It was a pain in the butt… hehe) (mendo kusakatta kara…kusa)
tatsuyaそうだと思った！笑 (That’s what I thought! haha) (sōda to omotta! wara)
Sample 2
yukaねぇ、レイとミクって付き合ってるの？ (Hey, are Rei and Miku dating?) (nē, Rei to Miku tte tsukiatteru no?)
tatsuyaうん、そうだと思うよ。 (Yeah, I think so.) (un, sō dato omou yo.)
yukaそうなの？例えば？ (Is that so? For example?) (sōna no? tatoeba?)
Poor thing.：かわいそうに。(kawaisō ni)
When you want to show sympathy for someone, usually in a moment of misfortune, you would be able to use “かわいそうに。(kawaisō ni)” which means “Poor thing.”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “かわいそうですね。(kawaisō desu ne)”. And “お気の毒に。(okinodoku ni)” is used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuya昨日、階段から落ちて骨折しちゃったよ。 (I fell down the stairs and broke a bone yesterday.) (kinō, kaidan kara ochite kossetsu shichatta yo.)
yukaえ？かわいそうに。病院行った？ (Oh, poor thing. Did you go see a doctor?) (e? kawaisō ni. byōin itta?)
tatsuyaうん、行ったよ。ありがとう。 (Yeah, I did. Thank you.) (un, itta yo. arigatō.)
Sample 2
yukaレイが彼女にふられたらしいね。 (I’ve heard Rei was dumped by his girlfriend.) (Rei ga kanojo ni furareta rashī ne.)
tatsuyaマジで？かわいそうに。 (Really? Poor thing.) (majide? kawaisō ni.)
yukaミクのこと紹介してあげようかなー。 (I think I introduce Miku to him.) (Miku no koto shōkai shite ageyou kana-.)
I knew it!：やっぱりね！(yappari ne)
When you have confirmed what you have already guessed, you would be able to use “やっぱりね！(yappari ne)” which means “I knew it!”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “やっぱりそうなんですね。(yappari sō nan desu ne)”. And “やはりそうでしたか。(yahari sō deshitaka)” is used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuya売り切れでチケット買えなかったよ。 (I couldn’t buy the ticket which was sold out.) (urikire de chiketto kaenakatta yo.)
yukaやっぱりね！無理だよって言ったじゃん。 (I knew it! I told you that you couldn’t buy it.) (yappari ne! muri dayo tte itta jan.)
Sample 2
yuka昨日返信できなくてごめんー。寝てたよ。 (Sorry I couldn’t reply last night. I was asleep.) (kinō henshin dekinakute gomen-. neteta yo.)
tatsuyaやっぱりね！ (I knew it!) (yappari ne!)
I’m with you. ：私/僕も同じだよ。(watashi / boku mo onaji dayo)
When you show that you feel the same towards somebody or about something, you would be able to use “私/僕も同じだよ。(watashi / boku mo onaji dayo)” which means “I’m with you.”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “私/僕も同じです。(watashi / boku mo onaji desu)” and which is also used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuya待ちくたびれたー。 (I got tired of waiting.) (machi kutabireta-)
yuka私も同じだよ。 (I’m with you.) (watashi mo onaji dayo.)
tatsuyaもう帰るよ。 (I’m leaving.)(mō kaeru yo.)
Sample 2
yuka死ぬほど疲れたー。 (I’m dead tired.) (shinuhodo tsukareta-.)
tatsuya僕も同じだよ。 (I’m with you.) (boku mo onaji dayo.)
yuka水くれない？ (Can I have any water?) (mizu kure nai?)
I’ll call you back.：かけ直すね。(kake naosu ne)
When you want to explain that you will call someone again very soon on the telephone, you would be able to use “かけ直すね。(kake naosu ne)” which means “I’ll call you back.”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “かけ直します。(kake naoshi masu)” and which is also used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaあれ？もしもし？何も聞こえないよ。 (Oh, hello? I can’t hear anything.) (are? moshi moshi? nani mo kikoe nai yo.)
yuka聞こえる？かけ直すね。 (Can you hear me? I’ll call you back.) (kikoeru? kake naosu ne.)
Sample 2
yukaかけ直してくれませんか？ (Can you call me back?) (kake naoshite kuremasen ka?)
tatsuya分かりました。かけ直します。 (I’ll call you back.) (wakarimashita. kakenaoshi masu.)
Wing it.：ぶっつけ本番。(buttsuke honban)
When you want to explain that to do something with no preparation, you would be able to use “ぶっつけ本番。(buttsuke honban)” which means “wing it”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual, polite and even formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaテスト勉強した？ (Did you study for the exam?) (tesuto benkyō shita?)
yuka勉強する時間がなかったから、ぶっつけ本番でテストするよ。草 (I didn’t have time to study, so I’ll just wing the exam. hehe) (benkyō suru jikan ga nakatta kara, buttsuke honban de tesuto suru yo. kusa)
tatsuyaマジ？１から１０で言ったらどれくらい自信ある？ (Really? On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident are you?) (maji? ichi kara jū de ittara dorekurai jishin aru?)
Sample 2
yuka彼氏にどうやって話そうかなーって。 (I’m wondering how I talk to my boyfriend?) (kareshi ni dō yatte hanasou ka na- tte.)
tatsuya考えすぎないで、ぶっつけ本番でやろうよ。 (Don’t think too much and let’s wing it.) (kangae suginai de, buttsuke honban de yarou yo.)
yukaだね。 (Right!) (dane.)
At your convenience：あなたの都合がいい時に。(anata no tsugou go ī toki ni)
When you want to explain that at a suitable or convenient time to you, you would be able to use “あなたの都合がいい時に。(anata no tsugou go ī toki ni)” which means “At your convenience”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual, polite and even formal. Furthermore, we don’t normally say “あなた”, so that would be “___の都合がいい時に。”. You would put his/her name into ___ such as “ゆかの都合がいい時に。”, “田中さんの都合がいい時に。”, etc. Or we omit “あなたの” of “あなたの都合がいい時に。”, so that would be “都合がいい時に。”.
Sample 1
tatsuyaこの本面白かった？ (Was this book interesting?) (kono hon men omoshirokatta?)
yukaうん！たつやの都合がいい時に読んでみて。 (Yeah! You should read it at your convenience.) (un! Tatsuya no tsugōga ī toki ni yonde mite.)
tatsuyaありがとう！ (Thanks!) (arigatō!)
Sample 2
yukaすいません。今は忙しいです。 (Sorry. I’m busy now.) (suimasen. ima wa isogashī desu.)
tatsuya都合がいい時にご連絡いただけますか？ (Would you contact me at your convenience?) (tsugō ga ī toki ni go renraku itadakemasu ka?)
yuka分かりました。後でかけ直します。 (Sure. I’ll call you back later on.) (wakarimashita. ato de kakenaoshi masu.)
What can I call you?：何て呼んだらいい？(nante yondara ī)
When you are unsure of what to call someone, you would be able to use “何て呼んだらいい？(nante yondara ī)” which means “What can/should I call you?”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use it is “何て呼んだら/べばいいですか？(nante yondara ī desuaka)”. And “何とお呼びしたらよろしいですか？(nanto oyobi shitara yoroshī desu ka)” is used as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuyaやあ、ジェン。マイケルです。 (Hi, Jen. I’m Michael.) (yā, Jen. Maikeru desu.)
yukaこんにちは。何て呼んだらいい？ (Hi. What can I call you?) (kon’nichiwa. nante yondara ī?)
tatsuyaマイクって呼んで。 (Call me Mike.) (Maiku tte yon de.)
Sample 2
yukaこんにちは、マイク。キャサリンです。 (Hi, Mike. I’m Catherine.) (kon’nichiwa, Maiku. Kyasarin desu.)
tatsuyaこんにちは。何て呼べばいいですか？ (Hi. What should I call you?) (kon’nichiwa. nante yobeba ī desu ka?)
yukaケイトって呼んで。 (Call me Cate.) (Keito tte yon de.)
Bring in the laundry：洗濯物を取り込む。(sentakumono wo torikomu)
When you want to bring in the laundry or take the laundry, you would be able to use “洗濯物を取り込む。(sentakumono wo torikomu)”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual such as “洗濯物を取り込むね。” and “洗濯物を取り込みます。(sentakumono wo torikomi masu)” as polite and formal. Furthermore, native speakers often omit “を” of “洗濯物を取り込む。”, so that would be “洗濯物取り込む。” in daily conversations as casual.
Sample 1
tatsuyaあ、雨が降ってきたよ。 (Oh, it’s starting to rain.) (a, ame ga futte kita yo.)
yukaえっ？洗濯物取り込んでくれない？ (Really? Can you take the laundry in?) (e? sentakumono torikonde kure nai?)
tatsuyaえー？・・・分かったよ。 (Oh, my goodness… Okey.) (e? wakatta yo.)
Sample 2
yuka洗濯物取り込んだ？ (Did you take the laundry in?) (sentakumono torikonda?)
tatsuyaうん。取り込んだよ。 (Yeah, I did.) (un. torikonda yo.)
yukaありがとね！ (Thanks!) (arigato ne!)
Old fart/hag：おっさん/おばはん。(ossan / obahan)
When you don’t like or want to blame an older man or woman, you would be able to use “おっさん/おばはん。(ossan / obahan)” which means “Old fart/hag”. Everybody could use this when blaming them. If you don’t want to blame an older man or woman, you would say “おじさん(ojisan)/おばさん(obasan)” means “an older guy/woman”.
Sample 1
tatsuyaどうしたの？ (What’s wrong?) (dō shita no?)
yuka帰り道にキモいおっさん見たよ。 (On the way, I saw a creepy old fart.) (kaerimichi ni kimoi ossan mita yo.)
tatsuyaうそっ？どんな感じだった？ (Really? What was he like?) (uso? don’na kanji datta?)
Sample 2
yuka機嫌悪くない？どうしたの？ (You look grumpy, huh? What’s wrong?) (kigen waruku nai? dō shita no?)
tatsuyaあのおばはんがうっとうしくて・・・ (Cuz that old hag is annoying….) (ano obahan ga uttōshikute…)
yukaなんで？ (Why?) (nande?)
You might want to ___：___してみてはいかがですか。(___shitemite wa ikaga desuka)
When you want to politely suggest that someone do something, you would be able to use “___してみてはいかがですか。(___shitemite wa ikaga desuka)” which means “You might want to ___”. Everybody could use this phrase as the polite way to suggest someone do something and which is also used in business situations as formal. You would use “___した方がいいかもね。(___shitahou ga iikamo ne)” as casual.
Sample 1
tatsuyaやばい、最近太ってきた！ (Oh, no…I’m getting bigger these days!) (yabai, saikin futotte kita!)
yukaダイエットした方がいいかもね。 (You might want to go on a diet.) (daietto shita hō ga ī kamo ne.)
tatsuyaだよね。よし、運動でもしよう！ (Right. Time to start exercising!) (dayone. yoshi, undō demo shiyou!)
Sample 2
yukaこの本難しくて分からないです。 (This book is too difficult for me to understand.) (kono hon muzukashikute wakara nai desu.)
tatsuyaもう一度、読んでみてはいかがですか？ (You might want to read it again.) (mō ichido, yonde mite wa ikaga desu ka?)
yukaもう三回も読んだんですけど・・・草 (I already read it three times though…hehe) (mō sankai mo yonda n desu kedo…kusa)
Can I ask you something?：ちょっと聞いてもいい？(chotto kiitemo ī)
When you need to ask someone a question that’s important, complicated, or might make them upset and you first ask, you would be able to use “ちょっと聞いてもいい？(chotto kiitemo ī)” which means “Can I ask you something?”. Everybody could use this phrase in daily conversations as casual. The polite way to use this phrase is “ちょっと聞いてもいいですか？(chotto kiitemo ī desuka)” and which is also used in business situations as formal.
Sample 1
tatsuya昨日、レイとキャンプに行ったんだ。 (I went camping with Rei yesterday.) (kinō, rei to kyanpu ni itta nda.)
yukaあ、ちょっと聞いてもいい？ (Oh hey, can I ask you something?) (a, chotto kiite mo ī?)
tatsuyaいいよ。どうしたの？ (Sure. What’s up?) (ī yo. dō shita no?)
Sample 2
yuka初デートは映画観ようかなーって思ってるのっ。 (I think I’m going to watch movies on my first date.) (hatsu dēto wa eiga miyou ka na-tte omotteru no.)
tatsuyaちょっと個人的なことを聞いていいですか？ (May I ask you something personal?) (chotto kojinteki na koto wo kiite ī desu ka?)
yuka質問にもよるけどね。草 いいよ。 (It depends on your question.hehe But sure.) (shitsumon ni mo yoru kedo ne. kusa ī yo.)
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