- Japan Tips
Classroom Japanese Phrases for Teachers & ALTs
If you’re teaching English in Japan, it can help to know what your students are saying!
Our ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) collected common classroom expressions they hear from both students and teachers. Here’s what they mean in English and how to pronounce them.
Japanese phrases students say in class
Asking for help 🖐️
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Could you repeat that, please? | もう1度言って頂けますか？ | Mou ichido itte itadakemasu ka? |
| Please speak more slowly. | もう少しゆっくり話して下さい | Mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai |
| May I ask a question? | 質問していいですか？ | Shitsumon shite ii desu ka? |
| How do you say this word? | この単語はどう読みますか？ | Kono tango wa dou yomimasu ka? |
Vocabulary questions ✍️
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| How do you spell that? | スペルを教えて下さい | Superu o oshiete kudasai |
| How do you spell _______? | ～のスペルを教えて下さい | ~ no superu o oshiete kudasai |
| What does that mean? | 意味を教えて下さい | Imi o oshiete kudasai |
| What does _______ mean? | ～の意味は何ですか？ | ~ no imi wa nan desu ka? |
| What’s the difference between ___ and ___? | ～と～の違いは何ですか？ | ~ to ~ no chigai wa nan desu ka? |
| How do you say _______ in English? | ～を英語で言うと何ですか？ | ~ o eigo de iu to nan desu ka? |
| It’s _______. | ～です | ~ desu |
Feeling confused 😵💫
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| I’m sorry, I don’t understand. | すみません、ちょっと分かりません | Sumimasen, chotto wakarimasen |
| I don’t know. | 分かりません | Wakarimasen |
| I’m sorry, I don’t remember. | すみません、覚えてません | Sumimasen, oboete masen |
Japanese phrases teachers say in class
Encouragement & Praise 🎉
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| We (you) did it! | やったね！ | Yatta ne! |
| Way to go! | その調子！ | Sono choushi! |
| Good for you. | よかったね | Yokatta ne |
| Keep trying. | そのままがんばって | Sono mama ganbatte |
| Do your best! | 全力だして！ | Zenryoku dashite! |
| Go for it. | がんばれ（やってみて） | Ganbare (yattemite) |
| I’d love to. | よろこんで | Yorokonde |
| Yes, of course. | もちろん | Mochiron |
| Go ahead. | （それで）いいよ | (Sore de) ii yo |
Sympathy or Disappointment 💭
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Oh, no! | あーあ、残念！ | Aa, zannen! |
| Good luck next time. | 次はがんばって | Tsugi wa ganbatte |
| That’s too bad. | 残念 | Zannen |
| It’s a pity. | 残念 | Zannen |
Giving Opinions or Agreeing 🗣️
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| I think so. | そう思うよ | Sou omou yo |
| I agree. | 賛成 | Sansei |
| Trust me. | 信じて | Shinjite |
Polite Responses 🙅
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Yes, please. | お願い | Onegai |
| No, thank you. | 結構です | Kekkou desu |
| I am sorry, I can’t. | 残念ですが、できません | Zannen desu ga, dekimasen |
Surprise or Disbelief 😲
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| You are kidding. | 冗談でしょ | Joudan desho |
| No way. | 冗談じゃないよ・絶対だめ | Joudan janai yo / Zettai dame |
| That’s not fair! | ずるいよ！ | Zurui yo! |
Classroom Management 🧘
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
| Take it easy. | 気楽にいこうよ | Kiraku ni ikou yo |
| Never mind. | きにしない | Ki ni shinai |
| Calm down. | 落ち着いて | Ochitsuite |
| Be serious. | 真剣にやって | Shinken ni yatte |
| Leave it to me. | 任せて | Makasete |
| Up to you. / You can decide. | 君次第だよ | Kimi shidai da yo |
Tips for using Japanese in the classroom
Understanding these simple classroom phrases can help your day go smoother as an ALT. Here are a few tips for using Japanese in the classroom, when it’s appropriate to do so.
- Listen and memorise – If you hear a useful expression from your JTE or a student, try repeating it (or just remembering it for yourself) and using it another time.
- Practice in your spare time – Try reviewing common phrases during breaks or while prepping for class, or try using a Japanese learning app out of school.
- Use gestures and tone – Non-verbal cues go a long way, especially when language is a barrier. Using actions and gestures can also help kids with learning English.
- Celebrate small wins – Don’t worry about being perfect – students appreciate the effort! We do not expect our ALTs to be fluent in both English and Japanese.
You can also read our tips for how to learn Japanese while working in Japan as an ALT.
Knowing some Japanese can help you feel more confident in the classroom – and shows students you’re making the effort to connect. Want to learn more Japanese phrases?
Read our blogs on ways to say “Hello”, how to say “Friend” and ways to say “Shut Up”!
About the Author
Brian McDonough is a consultant at Interac, Japan’s largest provider of ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers). Originally from the US, Brian has lived in Japan for over 25 years, giving him a unique perspective on the cultural differences and challenges people face when moving to Japan. He has first-hand experience of working in Japan as an American.