Japanese – Greetings and Expressions

So while I’m in the midst of studying Japanese, I though I would share some very basic Japanese greetings and expressions with you guys. Although this is highly impossible, who knows there might just be some otakus out there who don’t know an inch of Japanese?

*Note that some of my translations may not be direct translations from the Japanese language, but the meanings are there and can be used as according to how the English translation is used in the English language.

Greetings and Expressions	Meaning
Ohayou Gozaimasu	Good morning
Konnichiwa	Good afternoon
Konbanwa	Good evening
Oyasuminasai	Good night
Arigatou Gozaimasu	Thank you
Dou Iinashimashite	You’re welcome
Hajimemashite	Nice to meet you
Douzo Youroshiku	I hope for your guidance / I hope for you help
Ittekimasu	I’m leaving home
Itterasshai	Please leave and come back safely
Tadaima	I’m home
Okaerinasai	I’m glad you’re home / Welcome home
Sayounara	Goodbye
Jya Mata Ashita	See you soon
Jya Ne	See you soon
Omataseshimashita	Sorry for having kept you waiting
Ojyamashimasu	Sorry for intruding
Itadakimasu	Thanks for the meal (Before eating)
Gochisousama	Thanks for the meal (After eating)
Iie	No
Ee	Yes
Hai	Yes
Moshi Moshi	Hello

Explanation of Uses

Obviously we all know how to say “good morning”, “good afternoon”, “good evening” and “good night”, so I’m going to skip on them.

“Dou Iinashimashite” is spoken after “Arigatou Gozaimasu”. For example:

A: Arigatou Gozaimasu. (Thank you.)

B: Dou Iinashimashite. (You’re welcome.)

“Hajimemashite” and “Douzo Youroshiku” is spoken when meeting someone for the first time, such as your classmates or workmates. For example:

A has just met B for the first time.

A: Hajimemashite. Douzo youroshiku. (Nice to meet you. I hope for your guidance)

B: Youroshiku. (I also hope for your guidance.)

“Ittekimasu”, “Itterasshai”, “Tadaima” and “Okaerinasai” is used before someone leaves home and after someone reaches home. We don’t usually do this to our parents, but in Japan, it’s common for people to do so towards their family members. For example:

A is just leaving home for school in the morning.

A: Ittekimasu. (I’m leaving home.)

A’s Mum: Itterasshai. (Please leave and come back safely.)

A comes back home from school in the afternoon.

A: Tadaima. (I’m home.)

A’s Mum: Okaerinasai. (Welcome home.)

“Sayounara”, “Jya Ne” and “Jya Mata Ashita” may seem to have the same meaning. However, “Sayounara” is normally used when we don’t expect to see the person for a long period. For example, Ann is going overseas to study. Before leaving, we would say to her “Sayounara” (Goodbye). “Sayounara” is also used when saying goodbye to someone we don’t really know. On the other hand, “Jya Ne” and “Jya Mata Ashita” is used when we expect to see the person soon. For example, if you are saying goodbye to your classmate, you would say “Jya Mata Ashita” or “Jya Ne” (See you soon) because you’ll be seeing him tomorrow. “Jya Ne” and “Jya Mata Ashita” is also used for people you are close with. However, if the person you are close with is leaving for a long time, you will be using “Sayounara”.

“Omataseshimashita” and “Ojyamashimasu” is used when visiting someone. For example:

A is visiting B. A presses the doorbell and waits for B to open the door. Finally B comes to the door.

A: Ojyamashimasu. (Sorry for intruding.)

B: Omataseshimashita. (Sorry for having kept you waiting.)

* The sequence is not important. Either can be spoke first.

“Itadakimasu” and “Gochisousama” is used before and after a meal. It is manners to do so in Japan or else you’ll be regarded as being rude, especially if you’re a visitor. For example:

Just before eating

A: Itadakimasu (Thanks for the meal.)

Instantly after finishing the meal

A: Gochisousama (Thanks for the meal.)

“Iie” is the japanese word for no. But there’s a difference between “Ee” and “Hai”. “Hai” is used in response when someone calls you. For example:

A: B!

B: Hai. (Yes)

“Hai” is also used when someone is looking for you. For example:

A: Where is B?

B: Hai! (Yes!)

“Ee” is used when answering questions. For example:

A: Are you B?

B: Ee. (Yes.)

“Moshi Moshi” is used when answering a phone call. For example:

A receives a phone call.

A: Moshi moshi? (Hello?)

So this concludes my very simple post on a few japanese greetings and expressions I know of. I’ll be posting more when I eventually learn more. Hope you found this useful. Cheers.