Speaking to Japanese Players

This is being copied from FFXI Japanese Language (Nihongo) - English Guide Version 1.8 for again quick reference. Though I added all the highlighting so its easier to read. Most of this you'll never use as the translator does fairly good job, but if you learn some of these and use them in Parties with JP players, you'll get more respect for attempting better communication! {Make sure they know you can't read responses in this though...hehe}


First Meetings:

• Pleased to meet you - Hajimemashite
  
• Nice to meet you (Please take care of me) - Doozo yoroshiku
  
• What is your name? - Onamae wa?
  
• I am Shigemo - Shigemo desu.
  
• This is my friend. - Kochira wa watashi no yuujin/tomodachi desu.
  

Greetings:

• Hello – Konnichiwa / Konnitiwa / Tiwa
  
• Good morning – Ohayoo gozaimasu / Ohayoo
  
• Good evening - Konbanwa
  
• How is everyone? - Minasan ogenki desuka?
  
• How are you?- O genki desuka?
  
• I'm fine - Genki desu.
  
• See you tomorrow! - Dewa ashita!
  
• Bye! Later! (informal) - Jya ne! / Matane! / Jaa mata!
  
• Good night - Oyasuminasai
  

[NOTE:
Ka at the end of a sentence signifies a question, (although not all questions use ka). You may choose to use questions marks at the end.]


Japanese or English?:

• Do you speak Japanese? - Nihongo ga dekimasuka? / Nihongo ga hanasemasuka?
  
• Do you speak English? - Eigo ga dekimasuka?
  
• Are there any English speakers? - Eigo wo hanasu hito imasuka?
  
• Actually, I don't know much Japanese. I'm just using "Shigemo's FF11 Guide". - Jitsuha nihongo anmari shirimasen. "Shigemo's FF11 Guide" wo tsukatteru dakedesu.
  
• Please say it in English – Eigo de itte kudasai
  
• I speak a little of Japanese. - Nihongo chotto shaberemasu.
  
• I know a little Japanese – Nihongo wo chotto shittemasu.
  
• I don't understand Japanese very well. - Nihongo wa amari yoku wakarimasen.
  
• Do you understand my Japanese? – Watashi no nihongo wakarimasuka?
  
• I'm not good at Japanese. – Watashi wa Nihongo ga amari jouzu jyanai desu.
  
• My Japanese is not good. – Watashi no Nihongo wa yokunai desu
  
• I don't know Japanese. - Nihongo wa wakarimasen.
  
• If there are mistakes don’t be surprised. - Machigai ga attemo odorokanaide kudasai.
  
• I can't read Kanji and Hiragana. – Kanji mo Hiragana mo yomemasen.
  
• Please use roman lettering – Romaji de onegaishimasu.
  
• Yes, I understand – Hai, wakarimasu.
  
• No, I don’t understand – Iie, wakarimasen.
  
• I don’t know (informal) – Wakannai / Shiranai
  
• Please say it again -- Moo ichido yutte kudasai
  
• Please speak slowly -- Yukkuri hanashite kudasai
  

Being Polite:

• Just a moment please - Chotto matte kudasai
  
• Thank you (informal) - Arigatou
  
• Thank you very much - (Hontouni) arigatou gozaimasu.
  
• You’re welcome. - Doitashimashite
  
• Excuse me – Sumimasen / Shitsurei shimasu (more polite)
  
• Sorry – Gomen / Gomenne / Gomennasai
  
• Really sorry – Hontouni gomennasai
  

[NOTE: It is acceptable to say hajimemashite, then doozo yorosiku onegaishimasu upon a first meeting.]
[NOTE2: When using romaji, Japanese will commonly abbreviate words. It can be compared to how Americans use slang. For example, ohisashiburi desu = ohisa desu, purinto kurabu = purikura, warau = W.]
[NOTE 3: It’s common for Japanese speakers to use ‘shitsurei shimasu’ at the beginning of shouting anything, as a way of saying excuse me for the shout. (ie. Shout o shitsurei shimasu)]


Chit Chat:

• Excuse me for a moment – Chotto sumimasen
  
• Do you have anything you want to ask? – Nanika kikitai koto arimasuka?
  
• How do you say “___” in Japanese? – “___” wa Nihongo de doo iimasuka?
  
• What did you say? - Nanto osshaimashitaka?
  
• What are you doing? - Nani wo shiteirundesuka?
  
• What country are you from? – Okuni wa dochira desuka?
  
• Where are you from? - Dochira kara kimashitaka?
  
• I am from Tokyo – Tokyo desu.
  
• How old are you? – Nansai desuka?
  
• I am __ years old - Watashi wa __ desu.
  
• Do you like ___ ? - ___ ga suki desuka?
  
• I'm looking for my friends. - Tomodachi wo sagashite iru no desu ga.
  
• What is the matter? - Doushitandesuka?
  
• What happened? - Doushitano? (More informal version of doushitandesuka)
  

[NOTE: Males will commonly refer to themselves using boku or ore instead of watashi or watakushi (polite form). 'Boku' is more commonly used by younger males. Women may use atashi, although watashi is more common. Please note that ]
[NOTE 2: This guide does not use the most formal Japanese, but gaming typically does not require formal Japanese (which is more commonly used to show respect to elders or in a business situation). As a rule of thumb, it is good to be polite regardless of how informal this is, because Japanese are generally very courteous.]


Inspecting Equipment:

• Excuse me. Can I see your equipment? - Sumimasen. Soubi wo mite mo iidesuka?
  
• Nice [___] you have! - Yoi [___] desune! **
  
• Is this [___] expensive? - Kono [___] wa takai desuka? **
  

[NOTE:Keep in mind that "soubi" or "soubihenkou" is equipment. If you would like to compliment someone on their equipment you could use an adjective from the word list below. For example = Kakkoii soubi. or Anata no soubi wa kakkoii desu.]


Partying/Grouping:

• Do you want to level together? - Isshoni level agemasuka?
  
• Would you care to PT? - Yoroshikattara PT isshoni shimasenka? **
  
• I’m looking for a party - Party wo sagashite imasu
  
• Please invite me? - Sasotte kudasai
  
• Can I join? - PT ni haittemo ii? / Sankashiteiidesuka?
  
• Are you busy? - Isogashii desu ka?
  
• Have you got a moment? – Chotto ii desuka?
  
• Sorry, I am not free now - Gomennasai, youji ga arunode. (kotowarimasu)
  
• Sorry, I don’t have time – Gomennasai, jikan ga arimasen
  
• Maybe next time - Mata kondo onegai shimasu **
  
• Probably later - Osoraku atode **
  
• Glad to have you, looking for more – Yorosiku, hokanohito mo sasotte imasu
  
• Sorry, can you invite me again? - Gomenne, mata sasotte kudasai
  
• I have asked a number of people – Nannin ka no hito ni kikimashita.
  
• “____” wants to party with us – “____” ga kono PT ni hairitai rashii desuyo.
  
• Whoever is fine - Dare demo ii yo **
  
• I am a new player – Atarashii pureeyaa desu.
  
• He’s already there – Moo mukooni itte imasu
  
• There's no WHM - Shiro inai / Siro inai
  

Organizing the Party:

• What is my role/job? - Watashi no jobbu (job) / yakume wa nan desu ka?
  
• Can someone become the leader? - Dareka leader ni natte kuremasuka?
  
• Can somebody become a leader instead of me? - Dareka watashi no kawari ni leader ni natte kuremasuka?
  
• I will do it - Watashi ga shimashou.
  
• (the person who lures the mob) - Tsuriyaku
  
• Tank - Tateyaku
  
• Frontline (Melee) - Zenei
  
• Backline (Mages) - Goei
  
• I will be the first-line healer - Kaifuku senpatsude ikimasu
  
• I’ll be the second-line healer and use weaken magic - Kaifuku nibanmeto jakutai mahou ikimasu.
  
• Switch healing duties (MP has run out) - MP kirede suwarimasu. Kaifuku onegai shimasu.
  
• Group together for Protect/Shell - Puro to sheru kakerunode atsumatte kudasai.
  
• What do you want to do now? - Kore kara nani wo shitai desuka?
  
• What shall we do? - Dou shimashouka?
  
• Where are we going to hunt? - Doko de kari o shimasu ka?
  
• What shall we kill? - Nani o karimasuka? **
  
• Shall we go to Boyada to hunt [crabs]? - [Kani] wo kari ni Boyada ni ikimashouka? **
  
• Whatever is fine - Nan demo ii yo
  
• I want to try killing goblins - Gobu wo yattemitai ("Gobu wo yattemitaidesu")
  
• I don't see anything /There's nothing there/ There's nothing here - Nani mo inai yo
  
• Let me know if it pops - Pop sitara osietene
  
• Should I pull? - Tsuri ni itte kimashouka? **
  
• What weapon skill would you like me to use? - Dono WS wo tsukattara iindesuka? **
  
• I am ready - Jyunbi OK
  
• Good Experience (Tasty XP) - Umai ("oishii," "oishiidesune," etc)
  
• It looks like we’re doing good. (we’re doing good) - Ii kanji desu ne. **
  
• Can handle more - Motto ikemasu
  
• Stay back please - Sagatte kudasai **
  
• Let me try to find someone that can Raise right now. - Ima “Raise” dekiru hito sagashite mimasune. **
  
• Excuse me, may I get a raise at [I-9]? - Sumimasen, [I-9] de raise onegai dekimasenka? **
  
• Wait while I raise you. - Reizu kakemasu! matte kudasai.
  
• My MP has run out – MP kire
  
• Let me rest please - Yasumasete kudasai **
  
• Don’t worry – Shimpai shinaide
  
• Run! – Nigete!
  

[NOTE: It is common to combine words in the Japanese language, (probably because Japanese written out in hiragana, katakana, and kanji is written without breaks). So if a word appears to be unusually long – try to break it down. For example, mata ne = matane.]
[NOTE 2 : Although certain words are similar in meaning, they may be best for different situations. Also, keep in mind, some phrases are best used by females and some by males. For example, on one gamefaq it said anyone could use "Boku..." (which translates to “I”), but boku is inappropriate for females to say and should instead be used by younger males.]


After the Party Is Over **:

• Picture please – Shashin onegaishimasu
  
• Shall we take a picture? - Shashin wo torimashouka?
  
• Thank you for the hard work! – Otsukaresama! (Otsukaresama deshita!)
  
• Thank you for the party! - PT arigatou gozaimashita!
  
• It was fun! - Tanoshikatta desu!
  
• Let’s go hunting (exploring) together again! - Mata isshoni bouken siyoune!
  
• (Common phrase for leaving) I’m gonna go - Ittekimasu
  
• (Common response to the previous phrase) Please go safely, please have a safe trip - Itterasshai
  
• Are you heading towards [Bastok]? - [Bastok] ni mukatte imasuka?
  
• Shall we go together? - Isshoni ikimashouka?
  
• I also have a THF, her name is Kina. - THF mo motte imasu, onamae wa Kina.
  
• THF is fun but difficult. - THF wa tanoshiiyo, demo muzukashii.
  
• Right now I’m playing THF. / Right now they are playing a THF. - Ima wa THF yatteruyo.
  
• Now I am cooking. - Ima ryoori shite imasu.
  
• Can you please help me? - Tetsudatte kuremasenka?
  
• I am glad that you are pleased (normally in reference to gifts) - Yorokonde moraete uresiiyo
  

Coming and Going:

• Where are you? – Doko ni imasuka?
  
• Where are you going? - Doko iku no?
  
• Let's go back to [place] - [place] e modorimashou
  
• We should go to [place] - [place] ni modoru beki dayo
  
• I'm going to [place] - [place] e ikimasu
  
• Shall we go? – Ikimashouka? (formal) Ikooka? (informal)
  
• Can you come - Koreru?
  
• Let's go - Ikimashou (formal) Ikou (informal)
  
• Follow me please - Tsuitekite kudasai.
  
• Stay here please - Kokoni ite kudasai
  
• Don't go too fast please. - Anmari hayaku ikanaide kudasai.
  
• I'm going back – Kaerimasu / Modorimasu
  
• Come here - Chotto kocchi kite
  
• I'm coming now - Ima iku
  
• I can go – Ikeru
  
• I can't go - Ikenai
  
• I want to go - Ikitai
  
• I don't want to go - Ikitakunai
  
• Don't go - Ikanaide
  
• I don’t know where [place] is – [place] no basho, wakarimasen or [place] ga dokonanoka, wakarimasen
  
• Where is [place]? – [place] wa doko desuka? or [place] wa dokoni aruno desuka?
  
• How do I get to [place]? – [place] wa dou itta houga ii? or [place] niha douyatte ikeba iikana?
  
• I am lost. Where is [____]? - Maigo ni narimashita. [___] wa doko desuka?
  
• If it’s difficult getting to Jeuno, want to go together? - Mosi taihenndattara Jeuno made isshoni iku?
  
• I went to Bastok - Basu e ikimashita
  
• I am in Selbina – Watashi wa Serubina ni imasu.
  
• I've found you! - Mitsuketa!
  
• This way – Kocchidayo or kocchidesu
  
• That way – Socchidayo or socchidesu
  
• That way over there – Achira
  
• Which way – Docchinano? or docchidesuka?
  
• To the right – Migi no hooni
  
• To the left – Hidari no hooni
  
• You turn right – Migi e magarimasu
  
• You turn left – Hidari e magarimasu
  
• It’s near – Chikai desu
  
• It’s far – Tooi desu
  
• I'm not in a hurry - Isoide imasen.
  
• I'm leaving soon - Moo sugu deru
  
• I have to go soon - Ikanakutewa ikemasen
  
• Sorry, I have to go in 30 minutes. – Gomennasai, ato 30pun gurai de ochimasu.
  
• Sorry, but I have to go now - Sumimasen, moo ikanakutewa ikemasen
  
• I’m going to the toilet - Toire (toilet) ittekimasu
  
• I need to reboot, be back soon - PC wo saikidou shite, sugu modorimasu
  
• I'm going to get a signet - shigu tte kimasu (shigunetto wo kakete kimasu)
  
• I'm going to my mog house - mogurimasu
  

Words and Shorter Phrases:
Adjectives:

• * Cute – Kawaii
  
• * Cool – Kakkoii
  
• * Beautiful, pretty, clean – Kirei (na)
  
• * Wonderful, attractive – Suteki (na)
  
• * Fine, splendid - Rippa (na)
  
• * New - Atarashii
  
• * Old - Furui
  
• * Small - Chiisai
  
• * Big - Ookii
  
• * Dangerous - Abunai
  
• * Scary – Kowai
  
• * Pitiful (how sad) - Kawaisou (na)
  
• * Troublesome – Mendokusai
  

Miscellaneous

• * AFK – Riseki shimasu
  
• * (I'm) Back – Tadaima / Tada
  
• * Welcome back – Okaerinasai / Okaeri
  
• * LOL – w (short for warau)
  
• * Hurry – Hayaku / Isoide
  
• * Good luck – Ganbatte
  
• * This is fun - Tanoshiine
  
• * I’m okay, it’s okay - Daijoubu desu
  
• * Don’t worry, it’s okay – Ii desu
  
• * Of course, definitely – Mochiron desu
  
• * Certainly – Tashikani
  
• * Maybe, perhaps - Tabun
  
• * I need it – Irimasu
  
• * I don’t need anything – Nanimo irimasen
  
• * I don’t need it at all – Zenzen irimasen
  
• * Anytime is fine - Nanji demo ii yo **
  
• * Whoever is fine - Dare demo ii yo **
  
• * Whatever is fine - Nan demo ii yo **
  
• * Linkshell - LS or rinksheru
  
• * Crystal – Kurisutaru
  
• * Furniture - Kagu
  
• * Present - Purezento
  
• * Weak, scared, timid, scaredy cat - Okubayo
  
• * Overfish / overhunt - Rankaku
  

Exclamations:

• * Hurray! Yay! - Yatta!
  
• * Great job! - Yokuyatta! (masculine) Yattane! (feminine)
  
• * Congratulations! - Omedeto!
  
• * Wow! – Sugoi!
  
• * Help! – Tasukete!
  
• * Take care! – Kiotsukete!
  

[NOTE:
Be careful about spelling. For example, one page claimed to say “Do you want to party” but the way it was spelt meant “Do you want to throw up in my party.”]
[NOTE 2: If a Japanese player says something that looks familiar, they may be spelling it based on how it is inputed as Hiragana or Katakana, so try to consider what it may be. (For example, tomodachi = tomodati. daijoubu = daijyobu. yoroshiku = yorosiku). In other situations they may be combining words, as previously mentioned.]
[New NOTE: For people who do not refer to page 2, the grammar section, take note that there are two types of adjectives - 'i' and 'na'. When the 'na' adjectives are used before a noun, then the 'na' ending comes into play. (ie. kireina misura - pretty mithra. kawaii tarutaru - cute tarutaru.) It may be easier to use the adjectives alone. For example, someone shows you their new outfit, and you say "kawaii~" (cuuute) or "kakkoii~" (coool) etc.]

The big problem with romanization is that there are two distinct systems running about. One of them uses 'ti' for the 'chee' sound, while the other uses 'chi.' Another example of bad translation. While there is no right or wrong way, the way they're taught to use roman letters means that the 'right' way is one more familliar to them. So use 'chi' for the chee sound, 'ji' for the jee sound, 'shi' for shee, etc. When I'm on, you can have them talk to me, or I can tell you what to write or say to them, if the translator function (hah) cannot accomplish what an actual translator has done and can do.

I'm not sure if my PC can write kana and kanji in the client, I haven't tried it yet; odds are pretty good though, as it worked in Aion. If not, we'll just suffer through with typing in Roman letters. Sigh.

何言ってんの分かんない、この馬鹿ヤロウ～。

Were there many instances of Japanese partying with foreigners in FFXI (question applies to the other nationalities/language groups as well)?

Granted, this is only beta, but it looks like they (as well as other nationalities) are pretty segregated.

i got a lot of parties with Japanese players in 11 late at night in the states but i used romanji in my search comments when looking for group so may have helped

Some of these I think are more formal versions. Like:

Chotto matte is I think basically "wait a minute" or "hold up", but Chotto sumimasen is "please wait".

Doozo yoroshiku - this I am not sure of, but I commonly hear "yoroshiku onegaimasu" - which I think is the formal, so the first might be the informal.

No point... just letting my language nerdiness excercise. hehe

aye a lot of them are formal responses as you said chotto sumimasen is please wait, but its still a nice list of phrases to know and use in a Japanese rpg

Oh I wasnt nay-saying it or anything... as I said I was just being a language-nerd lol.

The one time I played ffxi, I ran into a Japanese player in a shop and we had a short conversation... I thought it was pretty cool.

naw i was just agreeing with you nim hehehe

Roan Varuna wrote:

Were there many instances of Japanese partying with foreigners in FFXI (question applies to the other nationalities/language groups as well)?

Granted, this is only beta, but it looks like they (as well as other nationalities) are pretty segregated.

I played a whm in FFXI and I got a lot of pt invite regardless of only knowing english.. I wasn't even the best geared out whm. I also used the translator a lot too. The guild I ended up in back then was about 25 percent Japanese players, 50 percent english speaking players and 25 mix (european and asian) . I played it when it first came out to the states ^_^.

Very cool Reirn.