Aaisatsu (Greetings in Japanese)
おはようございます (Ohayo Gozaimasu): Good Morning
o This literally means ‘good morning’. This is a formal way of
greeting someone in the early hours of the day. If you’re greeting
friends or family, you can shorten it to おはよう (ohayou) which
might be less of a mouthful.
こんにちは (Konnichiwa): Hello
o You’d probably heard of the word ‘konnichiwa’ before you even
started studying Japanese. It’s a word you’ll hear a lot and is the
Japanese version of a very basic ‘hello’.
こんばんは (konbanwa): Good Evening
o Konbanwa is a fail-safe greeting as soon as the sun goes down,
meaning ‘good evening’.
おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) – Good Night
o When you part ways at night, you should use ‘oyasuminasai’. It
means ‘good night’, but has a literal meaning of ‘please have a
good rest’ or ‘sleep well’. If you’re talking to a family member or
friend, you can cut the ‘nasai’ and simply say ‘oyasumi’.
ありがとう (Arigatou): Thank you
ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu): Thank you (more polite)
どういたしまして (Doitashimashite): You are welcome.Reply for thank you
in Japanese. However, it's not commonly used in modern conversation,
except in formal situations. Instead, people often say "iie, iie," which
means "no, no" or "not at all".
ごめんなさい (Gomennasai): I’m sorry (often used for someone equal
or lower status)
ごめん( Gomen): Less polite version of ごめんなさい (gomennasai)
すみません( Sumimasen): Excuse me / Sorry (a polite word)
申し訳ありません (Moushiwake arimasen): I apologize (a formal
apology used by worker when apologizing to guest. Literally means “I
have no excuse”)
ようこそ, いらっしゃいませ (Yōkoso & irasshyaimase) : welcome
o One of the first greetings you hear or see at the airport in Japan
may be “yōkoso“, to mean “welcome.”
o In stores and restaurants, on the other hand, customers are
greeted by an enthusiastic “irasshaimase“, which is a welcome that
usually does not expect a response.Also used in household to
welcome the guests.
もしもし (Moshi moshi) – Hello (on the phone)one of those Japanese
phrases that everybody’s heard at least once. Even if completely out of
context. It’s a set phrase that you can only use when you phone someone
or pick up the phone.
はい (Hai): Yes/Hello (on the phone)
o If you’ve picked up a bit of Japanese, you’ll know that ‘hai’ means
‘yes’ in Japanese. This is in fact a perfectly acceptable way of
saying ‘hello’ on the phone. Typically you would say ‘hai’ and state
your name (and your company or organization, if relevant).
o はい、田中さんです。
Hai, Tanaka-san desu.
Yes, this is Tanaka.
しつれいします (Shitsurei shimasu): Excuse me
o Used when we ask for something or to interrupt someone .
いただきます( Itadakimasu): Thanks for the food!
o (Used when you’re about to eat).
ごちそうさまでした( Gochisousama deshita): What a well prepared
dish! (Used after you eat as a compliment to the one who prepared it).
行ってきます (Ittekimasu) – I’m off/I’m leaving
If you’re leaving home, say ittekimasu to let everyone (whether that’s
your roommate, family, or dog) that you’re heading out for the day.
行ってらしゃい (Itterasshyai): See you later!
If you’re staying home and somebody else heads out with
their ittekimasu, you should respond with itterashai which means
something like ‘see you later’ or ‘take care’.
ただいま (Tadaima): I’m home!
When you get home after a long day or even a trip abroad,
announce your arrival by saying tadaima. This lets everyone at
home know that you’re home.
お帰りなさい (Okaerinasai): Welcome Home
o If you’re at home and someone arrives with a
triumphant tadaima, welcome them home by saying okaerinasai.
さようなら (Sayounara): Goodbye/Farewell
When you think of ‘goodbye’ in Japanese, you probably jump
to sayounara. And whilst you’re not wrong, you probably won’t find
yourself using it as much as you might think. Sayounara is
a formal goodbye, closer to ‘farewell’ in English. In most contexts, you’ll
probably use one of the other options below.
じゃまた ja mata: Okay, bye! Or see you soon.
