Basic phrases. Flashcards
おはようございます。
Good morning (said until about 10 AM).
こんにちは。
Good afternoon (said from about 10 AM until sundown).
今晩は (こんばんは)。
Good evening (said after sundown).
左様なら (さようなら)。
Farewell; goodbye (this may seem more dramatic).
お休み なさい (おやすみ なさい)。
Good night (said when heading to bed for sleep).
じゃ また / でわ また。
Well then… (said informally when parting with relatives or friends).
行って らっしゃい (いってらっしゃい)。
So long; go and come back (said to members of a household as they leave the house).
行って 参ります (いってまいります)。
So long; going and coming back (said to members of a household as you leave the house).
只今 (ただいま)。
I have just returned (said by a person as they return home).
お帰り なさい (おかえり なさい )。
Welcome home (said to a person as who as returned home).
お元気 ですか (おげんきですか)。
Are you well? (said more as an enquiry as to someones health if you know they have been unwell or have not seen them in a while).
ありがとう ございます。
Thank you very much (said as a polite way to thank someone).
ありがとうございます。元気です。
Thank you very much. I am well. (said as a possible response to an inquiry about your health).
おめでとう ございます。
Congratulations!
お大事に (おだいじに).
Take care of yourself (health); get well soon.
どうも ありがとう ございます。
Thank you very much (said as a polite and more formal way to thank someone).
どういたしまして。
You are welcome.
ちょっと 待って ください。
Wait just a moment please.
もう 一度 お願いします (もう いちど おねがいします)。
Once more please (said to ask someone to repeat what they have just said once more).
お先に (おさきに)。
Pardon my going first/before you (said when going ahead of other people after being urged to do so).
どうぞ お先に (どうぞ おさきに).
Please go ahead of me/before me (said when urging someone to go ahead of you).
気をつけて (きをつけて)。
Take care of yourself; be careful (said to someone who is leaving or may need to be careful doing an activity).
がんばって ください。
Do your best; keep working at it; hang in there (said to encourage someone in their endeavours).
お疲れさまでした (おつかれさまでした)。
Thank you for your hard work (said after the work as this variation of the expression is past tense).
よろしく お願いします (よろしく おねがいします)。
Please take care of me; please give me your kindness; I look forward to working with you (said when introducing yourself for the first time).
はじめまして。
Nice to meet you; glad to meet make your acquaintance (said when introducing yourself for the first time).
大丈夫 です か (だいじょうぶ です か)。
Are you okay? Is it okay? (said to inquire whether someone or something is alright).
大丈夫 です (だいじょうぶ です)。
It is okay/am okay (said to confirm that you are okay or that something is okay).
そう です ね (lengthen for emphasis if want)。
It is, isn’t it? It is right? This is said in agreement with something that has just been said or to seek agreement with something.
そうですか。
I see (falling intonation); is that so? (rising intonation). This is said in response to something that you are hearing for the first time).
えっと / あの。
Umm, well, hmm… (this can be used as verbal filler).
済みません (すみません)。
Excuse me (said to get another’s attention, to apologise to someone, to thank someone if they have done something).
ごめん なさい。
I am sorry.
いただきます。
We humbly receive this food; thank you for this food.
ごちそうさまでした。
Thank you for the work that went into preparing that meal we just ate.
はい そう です。
Yes, it is.
いいえ じゃ ありません。
No, it is not.
お国 は どちら ですか (おくにはどちらですか)。
Where is your country of origin? Politely asking where a person is from.
いらっしゃいませ。
Welcome (said by store workers to people as they enter the premises).
休業中 (きゅうぎょうちゅう).
Closed (for business).
営業中 (えいぎょうちゅう).
Open (for business).
準備中 (じゅんびちゅう).
In preparation (for business).
どう ですか。
How about ~ ? How is ~ ?
はい.
Yes; understood.
ええ.
Yes (casually).
確かに (たしかに).
Certainly.
一人で (ひとりで).
Alone.
もしもし.
Hello (on the phone).
