Useful Daily Expressions

Ohayou gozaimasu 　おはようございます　Good Morning. This is normally said until about 10:00 A.M.

Konnichiwa 　 こんにちは　Hello. This greeting is normally spoken between 10:00 A.M. until evening or sundown.

Konbanwa 　こんばんは　Good Evening.

Sayounara 　さようなら　Good Bye.

Shitsurei shimasu 　しつれいします Good Bye. Said in more formal occasions instead of Sayounara.

Oyasuminasai 　おやすみなさい　Good Night. This is said before going to bed. When parting company at night, outside the home, it is more usual to say Sayounara.

Ja mata / Dewa mata 　じゃまた　/　ではまた　Well then...This is said informally when parting from family or friends.

Itte rasshai 　いってらっしゃい　This literally means 'go and come back' and is said to members of the household as they leave home.

Itte mairimasu　 いってまいります　The Literal meaning of this phrase is 'I'm going and coming' It is the reply to Itte Rasshai.

Tadaima 　 ただいま 　Literally means 'I have returned' This is said by a person when they return home.

Okaerinasai 　 おかえりなさい　This is the reply to Tadaima and means Welcome Home.

O-genki desu ka 　 おげんきですか　How are you? It more correctly translates as 'Are you well?'

Arigatou gozaimasu. Genki desu.　ありがとうございます。げんきです　I am well, thank you.

O-daijini 　 おだいじに　Take care of yourself.

O-genki de 　 おげんきで　Take care, or more literally 'keep well.'

Doumo arigatou gozaimasu どうもありがとうございます　Thank you very much.

Dou itashimashite 　 どういたしまして　You're Welcome.

Sumimasen 　すみません　Excuse me, I'm sorry.

Gomen nasai 　ごめんなさい I am sorry. Less formal than Sumimasen.

Chotto matte kudasai 　ちょっとまってください　Please wait a moment or Wait a moment, please.

Mou ichido onegaishimasu 　もういちどおねがいします　Once more, please.

Yukkuri onegaishimasu 　ゆっくりおねがいします　Slowly, please.

Osakini 　 おさきに　This means 'Pardon my going first / before you' This is normally said when leaving the office or a meeting before or ahead of other people.

Douzo osakini どうぞおさきに　Please, go ahead.

Ki o tsukete 　きをつけて　Be Careful! or Take Care!

Abunai あぶない　This literally means 'It's Dangerous' but is used in a way of saying 'Look Out!'

Dame desu 　だめです　Impossible / No Good / Out of the question. Dame desu yo can mean 'Stop it!'

Ganbatte Kudasai がんばってください　This is like saying 'Keep at it' / 'Do your best' / Keep your chin up' It is used as words of encouragement

Itadakimasu 　いただきます　An expression of gratitude before a meal.

Gochisousamadeshita　ごちそうさまでした　Said after meals or when leaving a restaurant.