Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Greetings, Daily Expressions, and Classroom Vocabulary

Daily Greetings and Standard Expressions (Aisatsu)

• Good morning: Ohayou gozaimasu
• Hello / Good afternoon: konnichiwa
• Good evening: konbanwa
• Good night: Oyasumi nasai
• Goodbye (for a long time): Sayounara
• See you: mata ne
• See you tomorrow: mata ashita
• How are you: Ogenki desuka?
• Congratulations: Omedetou gozaimasu

Expressions of Courtesy, Gratitude, and Apology

• Thank you: arigatou gozaimashita
• You're welcome: dou itashimashite
• Excuse me: sumimasen
• I'm sorry: gomen nasai
• Please / Here you are: douzo
• Well, thanks: doumo

Mealtime Expressions

• Expression before eating: itadakimasu
• Expression after eating: Gochisou sama deshita

Home, Arrival, Departure, and Welcoming Expressions

• Take care: Okio tsukete kudasai
• I'll go and come back: Itte kimasu
  • Reply (Please go and come back): Itterashai
• I come back: Tadaima
  • Reply (Welcome back): okaeri nasa
• Welcome (Airport greetings): yokoso
• Welcome (Restaurant): irasshaimase

Workplace and Classroom Expressions

• Expression after a tired day's work: Otsukaresama desu
• Let's begin: hajimemashoo
• Let's finish: Owarimashoo
• Let's take a break: kyokimashoo
• Do you understand: Wakarimasuka?
  • Reply (Yes, I do): Hai, wakarimasu
  • Reply (No, I don't): lie. wakarimasen
• Once more: Mo ichido
• No, it isn't / You're wrong: chigaimasu
• I see / Is that so?: Sou desuka?
• SO: SOU
• Please show me: Misete kudasai
• That's good: li desune

Temporal Terms, Adverbs, and Writing Context

• A little while: chotto
• Always: itsumo
• Not yet: mada
• Already: mou
• Hiragana (writing): 3