Let's say hello / Japanese speaking level [S]tart
Let's start learning Japanese by learning greetings in Japanese.
"Hello!" (It's a nice day today too.)
"Thank you very much!" (I hope to continue working with you in the future.)
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
It feels good to be greeted clearly.
Let's review the basics by paying attention to the sounds made when speaking Japanese.
In today's blog, we have put together some basic greetings in Japanese.
I will be posting some interesting phrases to help you remember the basics, so I hope you will enjoy reading it whether you are reviewing your studies or just starting to learn Japanese.
●If you find it difficult to read, please try reading the translation of this page into other languages such as English or Chinese. You can select the language you want to display using the button on the top right of the page.
●Try reading all the greetings out loud. It's OK if your voice sounds pleasant.
For reference, the greeting phrases given in the examples all include the number of beats and a pronunciation guide.
Example: "Hello" [5] : ko N ni chi wa
↑① ↑②
① [Beat]...The beat for pronouncing Japanese words. Speak each sound clearly, as if you were hitting a drum or typing on a keyboard.
② : Pronunciation guide ...The types of sounds that are spoken in Japanese are written in the alphabet, one sound at a time. The basic combination is a consonant and vowel. In other words, it is a sound that is expressed by one hiragana character. *Forget about difficult pronunciations and special pronunciations that are affected by the surrounding environment for today's practice, and try to say greetings clearly and comfortably. Beautiful Japanese starts here.
●Imagine the scene and who you are talking to, and pronounce the words as if you are letting the other person hear you. You will surely be able to speak good Japanese. *Some greeting phrases are accompanied by example conversations. Please refer to them.
Table of Contents: Greetings in Japanese
① When you meet someone
"Good morning", "Hello", "Good evening"
②When eating
"Itadakimasu" (Itadakimasu), "Gochisousama deshita" (Thank you for the meal), "Cheers"
③When attending lessons
"Thank you very much" "Thank you very much"
④When working
"Thank you for your hard work," "Thank you for your hard work," "Thank you for your help"
⑤When shopping
"Um," "Sorry."
⑥The first meeting
"Nice to meet you," "I look forward to working with you in the future"
⑦When entering a room
"Excuse me," "Sorry to bother you"
⑧Give them a gift
"I don't know if it will suit your taste," "It's nothing special," "Thank you for your patience."
9. When the day’s schedule is over
"Excuse me, I'm leaving now," "Thank you for your hard work," "See you tomorrow"
10. Say "Thank you"
"Thank you", "Thank you" / "You're welcome", "No thanks"
⑪ Send simple signals [light and versatile phrases]
"Thank you," "Please"
⑫Let's apologize
"Excuse me," "Sorry," "I'm sorry"
⑬When leaving the house
"I'm off now" / "Have a nice trip"
⑭ When I got home, I told my family
"I'm home" / "Welcome home"
⑮To my family before going to bed
"good night"
① When you meet someone
Morning greetings
"Good morning" [9] : "o ha yo u go za i ma su"
Midday greetings
"Hello" [5] : ko N ni chi wa
Evening ~ Night greetings
"Good evening" [5] : ko N ba N wa
②When eating
This is a greeting to give thanks for the food before eating.
"Itadakimasu" [6] : ita da ki ma su
This is a greeting to express gratitude for the meal after you have finished eating.
"Thank you for the meal." [ 9]
When drinking alcohol, first clink your glass
"Cheers" [4] ：ka N pa i
③When attending lessons
Ask your teacher to help you study for the day.
"I look forward to working with you. " [11]
Express your gratitude to your teacher for the lesson
"Thank you very much." [ 11]
4. When working
Say hello to your coworkers at the start of the new year
"Thank you for your hard work ." [8]
Say goodbye to your coworkers at the end of the day
" Thank you for your hard work." [9]
This is a general business greeting to someone from another company or an "outsider."
"Thank you for your help." [ 11]
⑤When shopping
Let's call the salesperson.
"Ano u" [3] : a no u
You: (Looking at the waiter, you raise your hand slightly) "Um, can I just say something?"
Waiter: "Yes, is it your turn? / I'll come and help you / Are you ready (to order)?"
"I'm sorry" [5] ：su mi ma se N
You: (same as above) "Excuse me..." "Excuse me, please."
Store clerk: "Yes, sorry to keep you waiting, etc."
⑥The first meeting
First meeting greetings
"Nice to meet you" [6] : ha ji me ma shi te
Let's communicate friendly feelings to have a good relationship together
"I look forward to working with you from now on." [15]
You: (about work, etc.) "I'm happy to be working with you. I look forward to working with you in the future." / "There are many things I'm not used to, but I'll do my best. I look forward to working with you in the future."
Colleague or partner: "Thank you very much."
*"Thank you" is a reply that conveys the same sentiment. It's a warm and refreshing phrase!
⑦When entering a room
When entering a room with a superior, you should say this.
"Excuse me" [7] : shi tsu re i shi ma su
You: (knocks) "Excuse me, boss."
Manager: "Please."
When you enter someone's house, say
"I'm sorry to bother you" [6] :
Host or friend: "Please come in" = Please come in
You: "Sorry to bother you." *In this case, "Excuse me" would also be polite and appropriate.
⑧Give them a gift
A very kind and gentle phrase for food gifts
"I don't know if it will suit your taste." [ 17]
You: "Here's some chocolate as a souvenir. I'm not sure if it will suit your taste."
Other person: "Thank you very much. Thank you for the meal."
A phrase that can be used for gifts in general, a Japanese style expression of humility.
"It's nothing special, but..." [ 10]
You: "This is nothing special, but... (giving the gift)"
Other person: "Thank you very much / I appreciate your concern" ※[Below] See next section↓
This is a phrase to respond to when you receive something or someone is kind to you.
"I'm sorry" [7] :o so re i ri ma su
9. When the day’s schedule is over
Say this when you leave before your teammates.
"I'm going to leave first." [ 11]
" Thank you for your hard work." [9]
When you've finished your schedule for the day and you plan to meet again tomorrow, you can say this, as it sounds friendly.
" See you tomorrow" [5]
10. Say "Thank you"
Express your gratitude
"Thank you very much." [ 10]
Katakana words are also preferred for an upright feel.
⇒ "Thank you" [4] : sa N kyu u
When someone expresses their gratitude to you, you can respond like this:
"You're welcome" [8] : you're welcome
When replying politely to someone superior or senior, this phrase would be good.
"Not at all." [ 8]
You: (kindly) "Thank you."
Friend or contact: "You're welcome"
※Seniors and superiors: (for your kindness) "Thank you"
You: "No way (I was just doing what I thought was natural)"
⑪ Send a simple signal [All-purpose phrase]
When passing each other in the hallway, pressing the elevator button, getting change at the register, etc. *Light messaging such as "thank you" and "sorry"
"Thank you" [3] : do u mo
↑※This is a very casual greeting. There's no problem if you think of it as a simple "sign" to the other person. It can be perceived as either a fun or casual mood, so be careful when using it. ※ Friendliness , roughness , and rudeness are always side by side.
This is the phrase to use when recommending something.
"Please" [3] : do u zo
You: (offering something) "Here you go."
You: (offering snacks and drinks) "Please help yourself."
Other party: "Thank you very much. ※Itadakimasu, etc."
⑫Let's apologize
It's a small apology
“Sumimasen” [5] : su mi ma se N ※This is the same phrase you use when calling out to someone.
■If you are sincerely sorry or have made a mistake, you can say this. This is a very honest way to apologize, and is a good way to say it to a friendly person or in a casual situation.
⇒ 「I'm sorry」 [6] ：go me N na sa i
Friend: "Hey, I've been waiting for 30 minutes."
You: "Sorry, the train was delayed..."
Here are some proper ways to apologize in business and other social situations.
⇒ "I'm sorry" [10] ：mo u shi wa ke a ri ma se N
Customer: "Um, the amount seems different."
Customer: What do you mean, no reservations available?
Customer: "Um, this isn't what I ordered..." etc.
...You: "Sorry. Please wait a moment/I'll check, etc."
⑬When leaving the house
When you go out, especially when you leave for school, work, or somewhere else, say hello to your family.
"I'm going now" [6] ：it te ki ma su
When you see your family off, you should greet them like this.
→ "Have a nice day" [7] ： it te ra s sha i
You: (At the front door in the morning, carrying your bag) "I'm off now."
Family: (raising and waving hands) "Have a nice trip."
⑭ When I got home, I told my family
When you return home from being out, let's talk to our family and neighbors.
"I'm home" [4] : I'm home
When your family members come home, say these words to them to welcome them home.
" Welcome home " [7]
You: (taking off your shoes at the entrance and going into the house) "I'm home!"
Family: (Peeking out of the room) "Welcome home."
⑮To my family before going to bed
This is what I say to my family before going to bed.
"Good night" [7] : "Good night"
You: "Good night."
Family: "Good night, see you tomorrow"
That's all for today's study.
I have provided examples of greeting phrases that you should know as a basic when communicating in Japanese, and that I think are useful to know.
It's OK if you can pronounce clearly and energetically by referring to the rhythm and pronunciation guide.
When speaking Japanese, use your breath well and speak simply and powerfully.
If you can speak Japanese by following these steps, you will have almost mastered the important parts of pronunciation.
Studying a foreign language starts with a pleasant greeting!
Let's study hard in the next blog post.
