Think that it may be useful to know some words in Japanese, the main language being used in the whole of Japan? Here are a list that may help.
English |
Japanese (Pronunciation) |
Meeting people |
Yes |
hai |
No |
iie |
thank you |
どうも (dōmo)
ありがとう (arigatō)
ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu)
どうもありがとう (dōmo arigatō) |
Welcome (in response to ‘Thank you’) |
どう致しましてどういたしまして (dō itashimashite) |
Welcome |
ようこそ (yōkoso) |
please |
douzo |
excuse me |
sumimasen, shitsurei shimasu |
hello |
kon-nichiwa
おっす (ossu) - used between close male friends
もしもし (moshi moshi) - on phone |
goodbye |
sayounara |
Good morning |
o hayou gozaimasu |
Good night |
oyasuminasai |
I do not understand |
wakarimasen |
Do you speak...? |
anata wa...go wo hanasemasuka? |
English |
eigo |
Yes, I can speak a little. |
はい、話します (Hai, hanashimasu)
はい、話せます (Hai, hanasemasu)
はい、出来ます (Hai, dekimasu) |
What is your name? |
anata no namae wa nan to iimasu ka? |
Nice to meet you |
o-ai dekite ureshii desu |
How are you? |
o-genki desu ka? |
Good |
Ii, yoi |
Bad |
Warui, yokunai |
I’m fine, thanks and you? |
はい、元気です。あなたは? (hai, genki desu. anata wa?)
お蔭様で元気です (o kagesama de genki desu) |
Long time no see |
久しぶり (hisashiburi) お久しぶりですね (o hisashiburi desu ne) |
Where are you from? |
どこからですか (Doko kara desu ka?)
どちらからですか (Dochira kara desu ka?) - frm |
I am from…. |
私は ... からです (watashi wa ... kara desu) |
Pleased to meet you |
初めまして (hajimemashite)
初めまして。どうぞ宜しく (hajimemashite. dōzo yoroshiku) reply
お会いできて嬉しいです (oaidekite ureshii desu) |
See you later |
じゃあまたね (jā mata ne) |
Cheers |
乾杯 (kanpai) lit. "dry glass" |
Goodluck |
ご幸運を祈ります! (gokoūn o inorimasu) |
Have a nice day |
良い一日を (Yoi ichinichi o) |
Gon Appetit
(have a nice meal) |
どうぞめしあがれ (douzo meshiagare) = 'enjoy your meal' - said by the cook/chef
いただきます (itadakimasu) - said before a meal by those eating it
ご馳走さま (gochisōsama) - said after a meal by those who have eaten it |
Bon voyaga
(have a nice trip) |
よい旅行を (yoi ryōko o)
ごきげんよう! (gokigen yō - Goodbye / Good luck)
行っていらっしゃい! (itte irasshai - Go and come back)
一路平安を祈る (ichiroheian o inoru)
- I wish you a smooth road (old fashioned) |
Please speak more slowly |
ゆっくり話してください (yukkuri hanashite kudasai) |
Please write it down |
書いてください (kaite kudasai) |
Sorry |
ごめんなさい! (gomen nasai) |
Get well soon |
お大事に (odaiji ni) |
How do you say…in Japanese? |
...を日本語で何と言いますか。 (...o nihongo de nanto īmasu ka?) |
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