japan

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Formal and Informal Speech

One important thing to know about Japanese is that there are two distinct types of
speech: formal
speech and informal speech.
You should use formal speech with strangers, people older than you, and family
members you do not know well.
Informal speech is casual speech you should use with close friends and family
members and those who are the same age or younger than you.
Because it can be rude to use informal speech in certain situations, this series mainly
uses formal speech, which is safe to use with anyone.

Say Hello in Japanese No Matter What the Time of Day

DIALOGUE - JAPANESE
KANJI

[in the morning]

1. A : おはよう。Ohayō. (Morning!)
2. B : おはようございます。Ohayō gozaimasu. (Good Morning.)

[during the day]

1. A : こんにちは。Kon'nichi wa. (Hello!)

2. B : こんにちは。Kon'nichi wa. (Hello.)

[at night]

1. A : こんばんは！Konban wa. (Good Evening!)

2. B : こんばんは。Konban wa. (Good Evening.)

HIRAGANA

KANJI
[in the morning]

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 1. A : おはよう。Ohayō. (Morning!)
2. B : おはようございます。Ohayō gozaimasu. (Good Morning.)

[during the day]

1. A : こんにちは。Kon'nichi wa. (Hello!)

2. B : こんにちは。Kon'nichi wa. (Hello.)

[at night]

1. A : こんばんは。Konban wa. (Good Evening!)

2. B : こんばんは。Konban wa. (Good Evening.)

Note that ohayō is the casual version of the phrase ohayō gozaimasu, and
we should only use it with close family members or friends. With people you
don't know very well, you should use the full phrase ohayō gozaimasu.

Introducing Yourself in Japenese

KANJI & HIRAGANA RŌMAJI ENGLISH

1. A : はじめまして。 1. A : 1. A : Nice to meet

テイラーです。 Hajimemashite. you! I'm Taylor.

2. B : はじめまして。
Teirā desu.
2. B : Nice to meet
かおりです。 2. B : you. I'm Kaori.
Hajimemashite.
1. A : よろしくおねが Kaori desu. 1. A : It's a pleasure to
いします。 meet you. (Literally,

2. B : よろしくおねが
1. A : Yoroshiku Please look

いします。 onegai shimasu. favorably upon me.)

2. B : Yoroshiku 2. B : It's a pleasure to

onegai shimasu. meet you too.
(Literally, Please
look favorably upon
me too.)

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