This might save you (sorta)

[Whitelisted Image]

One day if anyone is ever going to Japan....
I suggest you'll need a backbone to save you xD

My Best friend taught me this:
Sumi masen, eigo ga wakari mas ka?
English Translate:
Excuse me, do you speak English?

And if they say in responses
iie(stretch the e and say a) - No
hai (like saying 'Hi' to your buddies) - Yes
Chuto Matte - (I think this is how you spell; a little bit xD)

And that'll save your arse xD

And all these random stuff :3
Like when you want to say "Bye"
Sayōnara - Good Bye
Ē. Jā Mata. - Yes. See you later.
Jā, mata. Sayōnara. - Okay, see you! Bye!

(Not sure anyone know how to read stress marks...)
I might update this but it's unlikely. :3  

[TequilaRose]

lol. The basics will always save you.  

[Whitelisted Image]

Tsk, tsk. Only sometime it'll save you. xD  

[seira_sohma]

Lol thnx xD  

[Arkab]

It's a good last ditch attempt at conversation if you truly can't speak or understand Japanese.

However, a more accurate translation of the question would be:
Excuse me, do you understand English?

ちょと待って(ちょとまって/chi yo to mat te)
Doesn't this mean 'wait a while'?

 

[DaijoubuNe]

Arkab

It's a good last ditch attempt at conversation if you truly can't speak or understand Japanese.

However, a more accurate translation of the question would be:
Excuse me, do you understand English?

ちょと待って(ちょとまって/chi yo to mat te)
Doesn't this mean 'wait a while'?

はい、でも、”ちょっと待って”　＝Chotto matte.　だから、うん。　：３
It means "Wait a moment" or like how English would say "hold on"

I know a little is something more like　”少しだ。「Sukoshi da」”　or something.　:/

 

[TheNewLibrarian]

Hey thanks for the help! This might also help you since manners are so importnant in Japan.

arigatoo- thank you  

[Whitelisted Image]

o.e I was almost terrified to click on the fourm ^^'  

[Toki Zensekai]

Just to kinda back up and re-affirm what has been said:

DaijoubuNe had mentioned ”少し” which means "a little." So if you ask someone ”英語が分かりますか？” (Eigo ga wakrimasuka? - Do you understand english?), they might reply with ”ええ、少しだけ。” (Ee, sukoshi dake - Yes, just a little).

That's helpful to know so you know where the other person's level might be. But be surprised, the Japanese people tend to be overly modest and might understand English a lot better than you may think.