If you are learning the Japanese language you have to know some common phrases used in the classroom. Learning it physically in the classroom or online won't make the difference. Except for the greeting words, there are other expressions that will be useful for you. Here's a list of the 10 most common Japanese phrases used in the classroom to help you!

Japanese phrases: common questions in the classroom

Learning and practicing Japanese in a classroom environment or online is one of the most adventurous and fun experiences you can get into. Learning a language from scratch, making silly mistakes, confusing between choosing words, and getting lost in words to express your feelings. These are some things we all feel while learning a new language. But these are the first stepping stones to polish, to learn, to grow. Now, while we are short on vocabulary, we still need some hacks to get by. Especially, in an unforeseen or an unfamiliar setting of the environment. For this post, let’s focus on the classroom setting.

Let’s look at 10 basic phrases that can help us survive and interact in a classroom without feeling far behind or left-outs!

  1. I have a question

しつもんがあります。

Shitsumon ga arimasu.

It is said before asking a question. That way, you wouldn’t interfere or cut in on the instructor. Just raise your hand and say this while you’re confused about something in class.

  1. What does ~ mean?

「~」って、どういういみですか?

~ tte do iiu emi desu ka?

Sometimes, you hear about things that you didn’t learn in the class yet/ you read something on the road but you don’t know the meaning/ some English words that you don’t know the Japanese meaning, in such a situation you can ask the instructor about that incident using this format.

  1. Can I go to the washroom?

トイレに、いってもいいですか?

Toire- itte mo ii desuka?

It’s common etiquette to ask for the teacher's permission before leaving a classroom. The pattern is like this. After the teacher says yes, you can also nod/respond shitsure itashimasu (excuse me).

4. Is it okay to eat in the classroom?

クラスのなかでたべていいですか?

Kurasu no naka tabete ii desu ka?

Now, depending on where you are from, you might not be familiar with eating in the class environment, but in Japan sometimes teachers allow students to eat in the class (not a full course big meal like ramen/ bentou box of course). However, before eating be sure to ask the teacher if she/he is okay with this behavior or not.

5. What is the homework?

しゅくだいはなんですか?

Shukudai wa nan desu ka?

This one doesn’t need an explanation I believe. You can also ask about it when you want to confirm the homework contents.

Other common phrases that will make you seem like a Japanese pro in the classroom!

6. Please explain once again.

もういっかいせつめいおねがいします。

Mou ikkai setsumei onegaishimasu.

This is what we need to use most in a classroom environment. When the teacher asks if everything is clear or not, with the expression わかりましたか。(wakarimashitaka) you can always say this. The variant is もういちどおねがいします。 Mou ichido onegaishimasu, with the same meaning.

  1. I am sorry for the trouble.

ごめいわくをかけしてすみません。

Gomeiwaku wo kake shite sumimasen

While asking for a leave/ submitting late work/ asking teacher about extra lesson help, there is a common courtesy of saying it as a form of politeness.

  1. Thanks for always helping me out.

いつもたすけてくれて、ありがとうございます。

Itsumo tasukete kurete arigatou gozaimasu.

In a situation where the teacher gives you advice/suggests you do something/ read something/ or make any consideration for you can show your gratitude by saying this.

  1. Teacher, I want to know about ~

せんせい、「~」についてしりたいです。

Sensei, ~ ni tsuite shiritai desu.

When wanting to know details about something you don’t know of already, you can ask the teacher like this.

  1. Thank you for your hard work.

お疲れ様です。(おつかれさまです。)

Otsukaresamadesu.

This is a common phrase that is widely used in Japanese conversations. After doing work, one normally says this in the classroom or workplace. It's part of the common etiquette to say this to everything as a goodbye notion.

Thank you for reading!


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