Easy Japanese Chapter 1 - Japanese Greetings

Easy Japanese Chapter 1: Japanese Greetings

Let's Greet in Japanese!
Nihongo De Aisatsu O Shimashou!
にほんご で あいさつ を しましょう!

[Common Greetings]

(Remember to say these with a bow!)

おはよう ございます

Ohayō gozaimasu

Good Morning (Informal: ohayō-おはよう)

こんにちは

Konnichi wa

Hello, good afternoon (when used around 12-4pm)

こんばんは

Konban wa

Good evening (Used when meeting someone, not when leaving)

おげんきですか?

Ogenki desu ka?

How are you?

(Don't say this to people that you see everyday. Use this either when seeing someone for first time or when seeing someone again that you haven't seen in a while.)

はじめまして

Hajimemashite

How do you do? (Used only when meeting for first time)

さようなら

Sayōnara

Good-bye, farewell (Casual way is "さよなら - Sayonara")

(どうも) ありがとう ございます

(Dōmo) arigatō gozaimasu

Thank you (very much)

どういたしまして

Dou itashimashite

You're welcome (One funny way of remembering this word is thinking of it as "Don't touch my mustache.")

(どうも) すみません

(Dōmo) Sumimasen

I'm sorry (Can also mean "Thank you" in the sense of "I'm sorry for all the trouble")

じゃあ、また (あとで)

Jaa, mata (atode)

Well then, see you again (later)

じゃあ、また あした (らいしゅう)

Jaa, mata ashita (raushuu)

Well, see you again tomorrow (next week)


[Common Classroom Expressions]


じゃあ、はじめましょうか?

Jaa, hajimemashō ka?

Well then, shall we begin? (Don't go up at end like it's a question.)

もういちどう いって ください

Mōichidō itte kudasai.

Please say it once more.

みんな で いって ください

Minna de itte kudasai.

Please everyone say it together.

よんで (かいて) ください

Yonde (kaite) kudasai.

Please read (write) it.

いいですか?

Ii desu ka?

Are you ready? (or Is it OK/correct?)

ちょっと まって ください

Chotto matte kudasai.

Please wait a moment.

わかりますか?

Wakarimasu ka?

Do you understand?/Do you know?

はい、わかります

Hai, wakarimasu.

Yes, I do (understand).

いいえ、わかりません

Iie, wakarimasen.

No, I don't (understand).