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Basic Japanese Phrases

1. Good morning. (Informal)

o ha yo o

2. 。 Good morning. (Formal)

o ha yo o go za i ma su.

3. 。 Good afternoon. /Hello. (Formal only)

ko n’ni chi wa.

4. 。 Good evening. /Hello. (Formal only)

ko n’ba n wa.

5. 。OR 。 Good night (as going to sleep).

o ya su mi o ya su mi na sa i.

6. 。 Thank you. (Informal)

a ri ga to o

7. 。 Thank you. (Formal)

a ri ga to o go za i ma su

8. 。 Hello/How do you do? (“Hello” for the first-time meeting)

ha ji me ma shi te.

9. 。 Nice to meet you.

yo ro shi ku o ne ga i shi ma su
NOTE: This is one of the most difficult expressions to translate into English. Literally it can mean I’ll be counting on
your kindness, I’ll depend on you with this matter, I look to you for guidance, I hope you’ll take good care of me/my
child/this matter, etc.

10. 。 I see. (Literally “Is that so.”) (Formal)

so o de su ka

11. 。 I see. (Informal)

so o
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12. 、 。 See you. (Literally “Well then, again.”) (Most Formal)

de wa ma ta

13. 、 。 See you. (Formal or Polite enough as a grownup)

ja a ma ta

14. （ ） 。 See you. (Very Informal)

(ja a ) ma ta ne

15. 。 Please go and come back.

i tte ra ssha i (“Bye” as you see someone off who leaves and comes back later)

16. 。 I’ll go and come back.

i tte ki ma su (“Bye” as you leave to someone who stays behind)

17. 。 I’m home. / I’m back.

ta da i ma

18. 。 Welcome home. / Welcome back.

o ka e ri na sa i

19. 。 I am sorry. (Informal)

go me n

20. 。 I am sorry. (Can be used Informally but sounds slightly better)

go me n na sa i

21. 。 I am sorry. (Formal)

su mi ma se n

22. 。 Excuse me. (for getting someone’s attention)

su mi ma se n
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23. 。 Thank you for the meal. (Before eating)

i ta da ki ma su.

24. 。 Thank you for the meal. (After eating)

go chi so o sa ma de shi ta.

25. 。 Please say it one more time.

mo o i chi do i tte ku da sa i

26. 。 One more time, please.

mo o i chi do o ne ga i shi ma su

===== Extra Expressions ====

27. 。 Are you ok? /Are you doing alright?

da i jo o bu de su ka

28. 、 。 Yes, I am ok.

ha i da i jo o bu de su

29. 。 Good luck! /I will be rooting for you./Keep it up!

ga n ba tte ku da sa i Do your best. /Show them what you are made of!
(Formal)
30. ！ (Informal)
ga n ba tte
NOTE: This is another expression that is difficult to translate into English. Basically, Japanese say this when they want
to show their supports and wish others for a good outcome.