Greetings

1. こんにちは

   kon-ni-chi-wa

   Hello / Good afternoon

   Usage

   General daytime greeting, suitable for strangers and acquaintances alike

   Grammar Note

   Originally the start of a sentence "As for today, ..." that became a fixed greeting. The は is pronounced "wa"

2. おはようございます

   o-ha-yō go-za-i-ma-su

   Good morning

   Usage

   Polite morning greeting used in the workplace and with strangers

   Grammar Note

   Polite form of "ohayō". Drop "gozaimasu" for casual use: "ohayō". "Gozaimasu" is the highly formal polite form of "aru" (to be/exist)

3. こんばんは

   kon-ban-wa

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting used from dusk onwards

   Grammar Note

   Like "konnichiwa", derived from "As for tonight...". The は is again pronounced "wa"

4. ありがとうございます

   a-ri-ga-tō go-za-i-ma-su

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Polite expression of gratitude used with staff and strangers

   Grammar Note

   From "arigatai" (something rare = precious). Casual form is simply "arigatō"

5. すみません

   su-mi-ma-sen

   Excuse me / I'm sorry / Thank you

   Usage

   Versatile expression for getting attention, apologizing, or expressing thanks

   Grammar Note

   From "this is not enough to settle my debt of gratitude". Ideal opener when addressing a stranger

6. はじめまして

   ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Standard greeting used when meeting someone for the first time

   Grammar Note

   Short for "I am meeting you for the first time". Typically followed by "dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu"

7. よろしくお願いします

   yo-ro-shi-ku o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su

   Please take care of me / Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Used at the end of self-introductions, when making requests, or to express goodwill

   Grammar Note

   Uniquely Japanese expression with no direct translation. Adding "dōzo" at the front makes it more polite

8. さようなら

   sa-yō-na-ra

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Farewell used when parting, often implying a longer separation

   Grammar Note

   Contracted from "sayo naraba" (if that is how it must be). Can imply a more permanent farewell

9. お元気ですか

   o-gen-ki de-su ka

   How are you?

   Usage

   Used when meeting someone after a long time, or as an opener in letters and emails

   Grammar Note

   "Genki" (healthy/energetic) with honorific prefix "o-". Standard reply: "Hai, genki desu. Arigatō gozaimasu"

10. 日本へようこそ

    ni-hon e yō-ko-so

    Welcome to Japan

    Usage

    Used to welcome visitors and tourists to Japan

    Grammar Note

    "Yōkoso" is a welcoming adverb. "〜e yōkoso" means "welcome to 〜"

11. 日本語は話せません

    ni-hon-go wa ha-na-se-ma-sen

    I can't speak Japanese

    Usage

    Used to inform someone that you cannot speak Japanese — useful for foreign visitors in Japan

    Grammar Note

    "Hanasemasu" is the potential form of "hanasu" (to speak). "Hanasemasen" is its polite negative. Can be combined with "sukoshi hanasemasu" (I can speak a little)

12. また来ます

    ma-ta-ki-ma-su

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

13. 楽しかったです

    ta-no-shi-kat-ta-de-su

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

14. ありがとう、またね

    a-ri-ga-tou, ma-ta-ne

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

    Grammar Note

    More casual than "arigatou gozaimasu" / "mata oai shimashou"

15. おやすみなさい

    o-ya-su-mi-na-sa-i

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

16. いってきます

    it-te-ki-ma-su

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

17. ただいま

    ta-da-i-ma

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

18. お先に失礼します

    o-sa-ki-ni shi-tsu-re-i-shi-ma-su

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

19. どういたしまして

    dou-i-ta-shi-ma-shi-te

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you

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