Useful Japanese Words & Expressions

Vowel Pronunciation:

a as in father
i as in taxi
u as in tune
e as in bed
o as is joke

Meeting people
Hajimemashite (Nice to meet you)

Watashi wa <your name> desu. (My name is _______)

Dozo yoroshiku (onegai-shimasu) (Lit. “Please treat me favourably”)

O-namae wa? (What is your name?)

Greetings
Ohayo Gozaimasu. (Good morning)

Konnichi wa. (Good day/afternoon)

Komban wa. (Good evening)

O-yasumi nasai. (Good night)

O-tsukare sama desu. (When leaving work “Thanks for working hard”)

Say?nara. (Good bye)

Mata aimash? / ne. (See you later)

O-genki desu ka? (How are you, lit. “Are you well?”)

Itte kimasu. (I’m leaving [and coming back])

Itte rasshai. (Go and come back said in response to previous)

Tadaima. (I’m back)

O-kaeri nasai. (Welcome back said in response to previous)

Ki o tsukete. (Be careful/Take care)

Conversation

[Eigo ga] Wakarimasu ka? (Do you understand [English]?)

Wakarimasu / Wakarimasen. (I understand / I don’t understand)

Hai / Iie  (Yes / No)

Sumimasen. (Excuse me / Pardon / I’m sorry)

[D?mo] Arigat? Gozaimasu. (Thank you very much)

D? Itashimashite. (You’re welcome)

Gomen nasai. (I’m sorry)

M? ichi-do itte kudasai. (Please say that once more).

Motto yukkuri itte kudasai. (Please say that more slowly

Omedet? Gozaimasu. (Congratulations)

Chotto Matte.  (Wait a moment)