Travel · Japanese
Practice this phrase
Japanese · 日本語
Translation
わかりません
Romanization
Wakarimasen
Pronunciation
wah-kah-ree-mah-sen
When to use it
Use this with staff, locals, drivers, or passersby while traveling. A polite tone is usually the safest choice. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.
Example
わかりません — a practical sentence to use when asking for help for "i don't understand".
Same situation
where is the bathroom
トイレはどこですか
Toire wa doko desu ka
Openhow much is this
これはいくらですか
Kore wa ikura desu ka
Opentoo expensive
高すぎます
Takasugimasu
Opencan you help me
手伝ってもらえますか
Tetsudatte moraemasu ka
Opendo you speak english
英語を話せますか
Eigo o hanasemasu ka
Openwhere is the station
駅はどこですか
Eki wa doko desu ka
Opencan i pay by card
カードで払えますか
Kaado de haraemasu ka
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FAQ
You say "わかりません" in Japanese. The romanized form is "Wakarimasen", and a simple pronunciation cue is "wah-kah-ree-mah-sen".
This entry is marked as polite. The usage note explains when the phrase is appropriate and when you should soften it.
Use "wah-kah-ree-mah-sen" as a learner-friendly pronunciation cue. The romanization is "Wakarimasen".
Use this with staff, locals, drivers, or passersby while traveling. A polite tone is usually the safest choice. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.