助けて！
Tasukete!
How do you say "Help!" in Japanese?
Shout this in an emergency. Japanese will understand and rush to help.
Emergencies
8 phrases
警察を呼んでください
Keisatsu wo yonde kudasai
How do you say "Please call the police" in Japanese?
Emergency number: 110
救急車を呼んでください
Kyuukyuusha wo yonde kudasai
How do you say "Please call an ambulance" in Japanese?
Emergency number: 119 (dispatches ambulance OR fire).
病院はどこですか？
Byouin wa doko desu ka?
How do you say "Where is the hospital?" in Japanese?
Look for hospitals with 'English-speaking staff' — listed in the Emergency section of this site.
火事です！
Kaji desu!
How do you say "Fire!" in Japanese?
Emergency number for fire: 119 (same as ambulance).
薬局はどこですか？
Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?
How do you say "Where is the pharmacy?" in Japanese?
Look for the green cross sign. Drugstores (doraggu sutoa) sell medicine and toiletries.
道に迷いました
Michi ni mayoimashita
How do you say "I'm lost" in Japanese?
Show the address on your phone. Japanese people will often walk you to your destination if they can.
わかりません
Wakarimasen
How do you say "I don't understand" in Japanese?
Polite form. Use 'Wakaranai' only with close friends. Follow with 'Eigo de onegai shimasu' (in English, please).