Hello, thank you, sorry and the other everyday phrases: what to say, when, and to whom.
17 articles in Greetings & phrases
September 22, 20268 min read
Nice to meet you in Japanese is はじめまして (hajimemashite). How to follow it with your name and よろしくお願いします, plus a self-introduction template.
Read MoreSeptember 21, 20264 min read
Moshi moshi (もしもし) is how Japanese speakers start a phone call. It comes from 申す, "to say". Why it's said twice, the fox legend, and when not to use it.
Read MoreSeptember 5, 20264 min read
いただきます (itadakimasu) is said before eating and ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita) after. Their meaning, who is thanked, and when to use each.
Read MoreAugust 23, 20264 min read
Daijoubu (大丈夫) means OK, all right or safe. 大丈夫です can also mean no thanks. How to reply to daijoubu desu ka, and how to be clear.
Read MoreAugust 20, 20266 min read
You're welcome in Japanese is どういたしまして (dō itashimashite), but people often say いえいえ, とんでもないです or just nod. Why it can sound stiff.
Read MoreAugust 19, 20269 min read
Sorry in Japanese is ごめんなさい (gomen nasai), or すみません (sumimasen) to be polite, which also means excuse me. Formal apologies, bowing and replies.
Read MoreAugust 18, 20264 min read
Please in Japanese is ください (kudasai) or お願いします (onegai shimasu). Which one goes where, te kudasai for actions, and どうぞ for offering.
Read MoreAugust 17, 20269 min read
No in Japanese is いいえ (iie); with friends, いや or ううん. How to say no politely: ちょっと…, 結構です, 大丈夫です, and why a bare いいえ can sound curt.
Read MoreAugust 16, 20264 min read
How are you in Japanese is お元気ですか (ogenki desu ka). Answer 元気です, without the お, or おかげさまで. When it's really asked, and the casual 元気?
Read MoreAugust 15, 20265 min read
Happy birthday in Japanese is お誕生日おめでとう (otanjōbi omedetō); add ございます to be polite. Casual forms, cards, replies and birthdays in Japan.
Read MoreAugust 14, 20264 min read
Good night in Japanese is おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai); oyasumi is the casual form. What it means, why it isn't konbanwa, and what to say leaving work.
Read MoreAugust 13, 20264 min read
Good morning in Japanese is おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu), polite with anyone; おはよう is casual. Until when to say it, and why it's used at work at night.
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