Master Japanese: Common Mistakes to Avoid for Success

Picture this: you’re standing in Shibuya station and ask “Shinjuku wa doko desu?” The answer you get is a blank stare. In Tokyo, avoiding common Japanese mistakes to avoid makes your trip smoother and more fun. In this ultimate guide, you’ll dodge mispronunciations, grammar slip-ups, and etiquette hiccups. You’ll also pick up must-know phrases and cultural tips for trains, restaurants, shopping, and daily life in Tokyo.

Prepare your pronunciation

Pronunciation in Japanese shapes how locals understand you. A small slip can turn “delicious” into something awkward. Let’s walk through the basics.

Avoid mispronouncing vowels

Japanese has just five vowel sounds: a, i, u, e, o. Mix these up and you risk confusion.

• a as in “father”

• i as in “machine”

• u as in “food” (but with less lip rounding)

• e as in “met”

• o as in “more”

Ever wondered why “hashi” can mean chopsticks or bridge? It comes down to pitch and vowels. To improve, listen to native clips and mimic them. You can also check our japanese pronunciation guide for audio examples.

Differentiate long versus short sounds

Lengthening a vowel changes meaning, almost like swapping salt for sugar. For example:

• ojisan (uncle) vs ojīsan (grandpa)

• biru (building) vs bīru (beer)

Train yourself to hold long vowels twice as long as shorts. Apps and shadowing exercises help you hear and practice the difference.

Practice pitch accent lightly

Japanese uses pitch accent rather than stress. Words like “ame” can mean rain (low-high) or candy (high-low). Don’t worry about mastering every nuance. Focus on copying the rising or falling tone you hear in sample sentences. Over time, your accent will sound more natural.

Use polite expressions

In Japan, polite phrases open doors—literally. Skipping them can feel rude. Let’s get you sounding courteous.

Skip informal thank-yous

“Arigatō” is casual. When in Tokyo, favor “arigatō gozaimasu” (thank you very much). It shows respect and friendliness. See more options in our japanese thank you expressions.

Master excuse-me and sorry

You’ll use “sumimasen” for getting attention or apologizing in shops and trains. “Gomen nasai” works for small personal mishaps. Mix them up and you’ll confuse people. Practice both in mirror drills or with language partners. For extra phrases, visit japanese excuse me phrases.

Understand politeness levels

Japanese switches between casual, polite, and honorific forms. Do you need plain “taberu” (eat) or polite “tabemasu”? In restaurants and shops, stick to polite forms. Dive deeper in japanese politeness levels.

Mind your sentence structure

Japanese grammar flips English order on its head. Getting the basics right makes your phrases flow.

Keep the verb at the end

In Japanese, the verb always closes the clause. Instead of “I sushi eat,” you say “Watashi wa sushi o tabemasu.” This simple pattern—topic, object, verb—holds true most of the time. For more on this structure, see japanese sentence structure.

(Particles mark roles, not word order, so you can shuffle words for emphasis without breaking meaning (Japanese Stack Exchange).)

Use particles correctly

Particles like は (topic), を (object), and に (direction/time) tell listeners what each word does. Mix up は and が, and you’ll change the subject of your sentence. Key pairs to master:

• は vs が (topic vs subject)

• を vs に (object vs destination)

• で vs に (location of action vs target)

Need extra practice? Check japanese particle usage.

Avoid direct translations

Literal English-to-Japanese translations often sound odd. Instead of “I have a cold,” don’t say “Watashi wa kaze o arimasu.” Learn set phrases like “Kaze o hiita” (caught a cold). Think in bite-sized chunks rather than word for word.

Choose the right vocabulary

Some Japanese words look or sound alike, but mean very different things. Let’s clear up the confusion.

Distinguish homophones

Japanese has many homophones, especially in hiragana and katakana. For instance:

• 顧問 komon (advisor)

• 肛門 koumon (anus)

Tackling similar-sounding words one at a time helps you lock in meaning. Read more tips on this from Self Taught Japanese.

Learn counters and numbers

Japanese uses different counters for people, small objects, and flat items. Here’s a quick table:

Item type Counter Example

General objects ～つ (tsu) hitotsu (1), futatsu (2)

People ～人 (nin) hitori (1), futari (2)

Long objects ～本 (hon) ippon (1), nihon (2)

Flat items ～枚 (mai) ichimai (1), nimai (2)

Check our japanese numbers pronunciation for audio help.

Check time and days

Mixing up days or time expressions can wreck plans. Remember to say

• “Getsuyōbi” for Monday, “kayōbi” for Tuesday, etc. (japanese days of week)

• “San-ji juppun” for 3:10, “gogo hachiji” for 8 PM (japanese time expressions)

Respect body language

Words account for part of your message. Nonverbal cues fill in the rest.

Avoid direct pointing

Pointing at people with your index finger feels rude. Instead, gesture with an open palm. This simple tweak makes you look polite and approachable. Learn more in our japanese body language guide.

Mind bowing etiquette

A bow replaces a handshake in Japan. A slight nod for casual hellos, a deeper bend for apologies, and a formal 45-degree bow for serious thanks. Match your bow to the occasion and watch faces light up.

Navigate dining scenarios

Ordering ramen or sushi is part reward, part challenge. Nail the language and enjoy every bite.

Order with proper phrases

Start with “Sumimasen, onegaishimasu” (excuse me, please). Then say

• “Rāmen ni moji o kudasai” (ramen with extra noodles)

• “Okanjō o onegaishimasu” (the check, please)

See our japanese restaurant phrases ordering for complete examples.

Skip tipping customs

In Japan, the service charge is built in and tipping can confuse staff. If you feel grateful, slip a small gift in an envelope instead. For more cultural dos and don’ts, see (CNN Travel).

Follow table manners

• Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice (it resembles funerals)

• Don’t blow your nose at the table, wait for the restroom

• Say “itadakimasu” before eating and “gochisōsama deshita” after

Ask for directions confidently

Getting lost happens, but the right phrases can rescue you.

Use helpful question words

Master these to frame any request:

• Doko (where)

• Nan (what)

• Ikura (how much)

• Dou (how)

Learn more at japanese question words.

Confirm landmarks and routes

Phrase it like this:

• “Sumimasen, Shibuya eki wa doko desu ka?”

• “Eki made no michi o oshiete kudasai.”

Practice with our how to ask directions japanese and decode announcements on trains via japanese train announcements translation.

Avoid etiquette pitfalls

A few simple customs go a long way toward blending in.

No eating while walking

Chowing down on the go is normal at home but taboo here. Designated eating spots appear near food stalls. Respect that—especially in busy streets (CNN Travel).

Queue properly

Japanese lines are legendary for order. Look for floor markers at bus stops, train platforms, and free-standing queues in shops. Stand on the correct side and wait your turn.

Key takeaways

• Practice vowel length and pitch accent to avoid mispronunciations

• Use polite forms like “sumimasen” and “arigatō gozaimasu”

• Keep verbs at the end and choose particles carefully

• Learn counters, time, and question words for smooth conversations

• Respect body language, dining etiquette, and queuing customs

Try one tip today, like swapping “arigatō” for “arigatō gozaimasu,” and notice the smiles you earn.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How can I remember which counter to use? A: Start with the general ～つ (tsu) counter for everything. As you see specific counters like ～人 (nin) and ～枚 (mai), jot them down in context.

Q: When do I use sumimasen vs onegaishimasu? A: Use sumimasen to get attention or apologize. Onegaishimasu follows after to make a request politely.

Q: Can I speak English in Tokyo if I’m stuck? A: Many signs include English, and some locals speak it. But trying Japanese—even simple greetings—goes a long way.

Q: What if I mispronounce something badly? A: Smile, apologize with “sumimasen,” and try again slowly. Most people appreciate your effort.

Q: Is it rude to speak loudly on the train? A: Yes. Keep your voice low or silent on trains and buses. You’ll fit right in.