Knowing a little Japanese can make the sushi experience more fun.

For sushi fans, part of the fun of going out for great sushi is that it's a unique experience steeped in the traditions and culture of Japan. Stepping into a sushi bar or restaurant can be like stepping into Tokyo, complete with the language barrier. So, if you're not fluent in Japanese, how can you understand the basics of sushi speak?

Phillip Yi is an experienced sushi chef, instructor and the director of the California Sushi Academy. Here he offers a basic primer for many of the Japanese words and phrases that you might hear or say in a sushi restaurant:

• Irrasshaimase. When you walk into a sushi bar, you might hear a waitress or chef say "Irrasshaimase," which means "welcome to our establishment."

• Omakase. If you're confident that you'll enjoy absolutely anything on the menu, your response to the sushi chef after sitting down might be "omakase," which means "chef's choice," or "serve me whatever you want to serve me."

• Maki. There are two types of sushi, and the first is known as maki. Maki are rolls of rice and seaweed around fish or vegetables, and include tekka maki, which are cut rolls, and temaki, which are hand rolls. Another variety called gunkan maki means battleship, with rice on the outside.

• Nigiri. The second common style of sushi is nigiri, which literally means to hold or to grab. Nigiri are pieces of fish placed over small, flattened balls of rice, and can be eaten with the fingers. Sashimi, which is not technically sushi because it contains no rice, is simply raw fish by itself.

• Arigato goziamashita. When you are finished with your meal and are preparing to leave, the chef might say "arigato goziamashita," which means "thank you very much." An appropriate response, if you're looking to impress, would be "gochi soo sama deshita," which means "I really enjoyed the food."

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