Greetings and politeness in Japanese
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the eleven openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Japanese words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Japanese phrases in this lesson
- γγγ«γ‘γ―kon-nee-chee-WAH
- Hello
- γγ―γγγγγγΎγo-ha-YOH go-zai-mas
- Good morning
- γγγ°γγ―kon-ban-WAH
- Good evening
- γγγγͺγsa-YOH-na-ra
- Goodbye
- γΎγγma-TA ne
- See you
- γι‘γγγΎγo-ne-GAI shi-mas
- Please
- γγγγ¨γγγγγΎγa-ri-GA-toh go-zai-mas
- Thank you
- γ©γγγγγΎγγ¦doh ee-ta-shi-MASH-teh
- You're welcome
- γγγγͺγγgo-MEN-na-sai
- Sorry
- γγΏγΎγγsu-mi-ma-SEN
- Excuse me
- γ―γγγΎγγ¦ha-ji-meh-MASH-teh
- Nice to meet you
The daytime greeting, from late morning to dusk. Written with the character for "wa" spelled as "ha", a spelling quirk every learner meets on day one. A small nod goes with it.
Used until about 10 or 11. Dropping the gozaimasu makes it casual, for friends and family. The final u in gozaimasu is nearly silent: go-zai-mahs.
Takes over from konnichiwa around dusk. For the parting rather than the greeting, γη²γζ§γ§γ (o-tsu-ka-reh-sa-ma des), "thank you for your efforts", is the all-purpose Japanese social lubricant at any day's end, said to colleagues, staff and anyone who has been working.
Carries a hint of long farewell; daily life uses lighter partings: γ§γ―γγΎγ (deh-wa ma-TA), see you, or a simple bow. Shop staff will say thank you as you leave; a nod is the right reply.
Literally "again", the friendly goodbye. γγγγͺγ (sa-YOH-na-ra) sounds like a long farewell.
The universal request word. Point at anything and add onegaishimasu: a menu item, a ticket, a taxi destination. If you learn one phrase in Japanese, learn this one.
The polite thank you, right for shops, hotels and anyone you don't know. γγγγ¨γ (a-ri-GA-toh) alone is for friends.
The textbook reply, but Japanese people often deflect thanks instead with γγγγ (ee-eh ee-eh), "no no", waving a hand. Both work.
The heartfelt apology. For bumping into someone, γγΏγΎγγ (su-mi-ma-SEN) is more natural.
The single most useful word in Japan: excuse me, sorry and even thank you. Call a waiter with it.
For first meetings, followed by γγγγγι‘γγγΎγ. A small bow accompanies it: hands at sides, bend from the waist. Depth of bow scales with formality; a modest nod-bow serves a visitor perfectly.