Japanese

vocab

おはよう

good morning

おはようございます

good morning (polite)

ございます

indicates politeness and formalness. Always use for superiors (teachers, bosses, superiors, elders, etc.)

こんにちわ

Hello

こんばんわ

Good evening

どうぞ (stern)

go ahead. (please take it)

どうぞ (passive)

Go ahead, by all means.

ああ, どうも

Oh, thanks

どうも

Thank you, I’m sorry

ありがとう

Thank you (general)

ありがとうございます 

thank you (polite)

ありがとうございました

thank you very much/for what you’ve done

X-さん

title that can be attached to any name, family name, or roles. Don’t use it on yourself or when talking to strangers.

When do you not use, “X-さん”

For yourself and/or for strangers

せんせい

title attached to teachers, professors, doctors, etc.

はい

Yes

いいえ

No

いいや

No (casual)

すみません

I’m sorry/excuse me —> grateful/thankful tone

すみませんでした

thank you, I’m sorry what’s done

ごめん

Sorry (casual)

ごめんね/ごめんなさい

I am sorry (depends on tone but less casual than ごめん)

どういたしまして

you’re welcome/no problem

いただきます

ritual expression before eating

ごちそうさま/ごちそうさまでした

ritual expression after eating

じゃあ

well then/if so

お願いします (おねがいします)

Can you give that to me?

失礼します (しつれいします)

Excuse me —- I’m going to do something rude (entering, leaving, interrupting, etc.)

いってきます

see you later —- leaving home or office for errand, implies you are coming back

はじめまして

how do you do