Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week’s lesson focuses on traveling. It’s always nice to go on vacation, and these tips might just save your trip!

REVIEW!

In a previous lesson, we went over YASUMI (break) and HIKOUKI (airplane). Being the excellent students that you are, I’m sure you all remember this. If not, review these terms now!

RYOKOU
(りょこう)

RYOKOU is basically “a trip.” I recently took a trip and not knowing the local language can be tough! You might want to pick up a few simple sentences in case of an emergency. You never know when you might need to say something like...

TOIRE WA DOKODESUKA
(トイレはどこですか)

TOIRE is how TOILET is pronounced in Japanese. And WA DOKODESUKA is “Where is” as in “Where is the toilet?” If you need this phrase, just stay calm and focus on your pronunciation. And don’t forget to say ARIGATO after being alerted to where the bathroom is! WA DOKODESUKA can be used with other locations as well once you learn them. Talk about a useful phrase! Although sometimes getting to the bathroom is only half the battle...

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