Greetings (Kana ver.)

Question 1

おはよう

Answer 1

Good morning

(casual)

Question 2

おはようございます

Answer 2

Good morning

(formal)

Question 3

こんにちは

Answer 3

Good afternoon / Good day

Often translated as “Hello”, especially in anime, but it doesn’t technically mean that.

Question 4

こんばんは

Answer 4

Good evening

Question 5

おやすみ

Answer 5

Good night

(short form)

Question 6

おやすみなさい

Answer 6

Good night

(long form)

Question 7

さようなら

Answer 7

Goodbye

This is a more formal way of saying goodbye, used for longer partings. It is also often used between students and teachers, for example.

Question 8

じゃあまた（ね）

Answer 8

Goodbye / See you later / Later

This is a casual goodbye, used for shorter partings. It’s often used between friends, etc.

Question 9

ありがとう

Answer 9

Thank you

(casual)

Question 10

ありがとうございます

Answer 10

Thank you

(formal)

Question 11

すみません

Answer 11

Excuse me / Pardon me / I’m sorry

Question 12

いいえ

Answer 12

No

Often used as a “no problem” or a “you’re welcome”, but it doesn’t technically mean that. It’s just used that way.

Question 13

はい

Answer 13

Yes

It can also be used to say “present” or “here” in a classroom setting or similar situations.

Question 14

いってきます

Answer 14

I’ll go and come back

This is its literal translation. The closest English analog would be saying something like “I’m heading out” or “I’m off”.

Question 15

いってらしゃい

Answer 15

Please go and come back

This is its literal translation. The closest English analog would be saying something like “Have a nice day” or “Come back soon”.

Question 16

ただいま

Answer 16

I’m home

Question 17

おかえり

Answer 17

Welcome home

(short form, slightly more casual)

Question 18

おかえりなさい

Answer 18

Welcome home

(long form, slightly more formal)

Question 19

いただきます

Answer 19

Thanks for the meal

(said before eating)

Question 20

ごちそうさま（でした）

Answer 20

Thanks for the meal

(said after eating)

Question 21

はじめまして

Answer 21

How do you do?

Question 22

よろしく

Answer 22

Nice to meet you

(casual)

Used when meeting others of the same/younger age and/or the same/lesser social status.

Question 23

よろしくおねがいします

Answer 23

Nice to meet you

(formal)

Used when meeting someone who is older and/or in a position of authority.

Question 24

どういたしましって

Answer 24

You’re welcome