Greetings in Japanese

[BakaSensei]

Following are some basic greetings in Japanese. Keep in mind that some of these are time sensitive.

Ohayoo (good morning - before 10:30AM)

Konnichiwa (good day/afternoon)

Konbonwa (good evening - after 6PM)

Mushi Mushi (telephone greeting)

Hajimema****e (hello for the first time)


These are all frequently heard in anime and JP movies.

[sarukun]

I'd like to add that the telephone greeting is pronounced "moshi-moshi", with an "o" sound. "mushi-mushi" might be a regional dialect, but I'm pretty sure the most common variety uses an "o" rather than a "u".

Leastways that'S how it is around Nagoya. =P

[Charles Blalock]

Sarukun you are correct on "moshi-moshi". Also, Bakasensei, the last one is "hajimemashite". I have had a hard time with all of those words for twenty years.

"Red" Blalock

[yaschan]

Some more:

Greetings and common phrases

Aishiteruyo, or Aishiteimasu - I love you (Aishiteimasu is more serious expression)
Amari sukija nai desu - I don't like that very much
Chotto matte ne - Just a moment. (In formal occasion, replace ne with kudasai)
Denwa wa arimasuka? - Do you have a telephone? (did someone call me?)
Eigo wakarimasuka - Do you speak English?
Finrandojin desu - I'm Finnish (change to Americajin, etc. -Jin means people -go means language. Therefore its "nihongo" - Japanese language)
Jia mata, Jia ne - See you!
Konbanwa - Good evening
Konnichiwa - Hello, Good afternoon
Kore wa nan desuka - What is this?
Mata atode kakemasu - I'll call back later
Moshi- moshi - Hello, or is somebody there? (When answering telephone)
Nihon wa hajimete desu - This is my first time in Japan
Nihongo wa wakarimasen - I do not understand Japanese
Okotte imasu - I'm angry
Okotte ru - Are you angry?
Onamae wa? - What is your name?
Ote-arai wa doko desuka - Where is the washroom?
Oyasumi (nasai) - Good night
Sato-san desuka? - Mr/Miss Sato I presume?
Sato-san wo onegaishimasu - May I speak to Mr. / Miss. Sato?
Sayonara - Farewell (used when you are not going to see one for some time. Be carefull with this since it might give one wrong idea. Used also when lovers are separating.)
Shigoto de kimashita - I'm on business
So desuka? - really? Is that so?
Sukoshi wakarimasu - I understand little a bit
Yes or.. yes and other expressions
Onegaishimasu - Please (When asking someone to do something, or a favor. Kinda like go ahead.)
(Domo) Arigatou gozaimasu - Thank you (very much)
Do itashimashite - You're welcome (in reply to Thanks)
Dozo - There you go, please (Like please sit down, or when letting someone go first from door, or to show someone a way)
Dozo yoroshiku - Please be kind to me (used when meeting first time or introducing oneself. Usually at the end of self-introduction.)
Gochisosama deshita - Thank you, it was good! (after eating or drinking)
Hai - Yes
Hai, genki desu - I'm fine (You can also say in non-formal occasions like "Ok desu" or "genki")
Hajimemashite - Used when introducing oneself, kind of "How are you"?
Iie - No (but remember, used rather seldom)
Iie, Kekko desu - No thank you
Itadakimasu - Let's eat, before eating, kind of bon apetit in Japanese
Ogenki desu ka?, Genki? -How are you?
Osewani narimashita - Thank you for your kindness (literally, I'm in debt to you)
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu - Please, go ahead (when asking help from someone or favour)

Expressions of "we- spirit"

Atsui desu ne - It's hot, isn't it? (Usefull in Japan during summer! Ne!)
Daijobu desu ka? - Is it all right? Are you ok?
Ganbarimasho - Let's try our best
Ganbatte, ganbatte ne - Do your best! Good luck for work!
Kio tsukete (kudasai) - (Please) take care (when saying goodbye)
Odajini - Take care of yourself (to someone who's ill)
Oishii desune, or Oishii deshoo - Delicicious, isn't it? This is really delicious! (Good to remember)
Oisogashii tokoro (sumimasen) - Excuse me for bothering you when you are so busy
Otsukaresama (deshita) - Thank you for your hard work (we have worked hard, haven't we?)
Samui desu ne - It's cold, isn't it
So desune? - Don't you think so? Isn't it? Really?
Taihen desu ne - It's hard work, isn't it?

Family, Home

Ittekimasu - I'm leaving
Itterasshai - Please come back safe, in response to Ittekimasu.
Obasan - Grandmother
Ojiisan - Grandfather
Ojisan - Uncle
Okaeri (nasai) - Welcome back
Okasan - Mother
Okusan - Wife
Otosan - Father
Tadaima - I'm home


Going Shopping

Hoka no iro arimasuka? - Have you got another colour?
Kore kudasai - I'll take this
Kore wa ikura desu ka? - How much is this?
Motto ooki no arimasuka? - Have you got a larger size? (Or larger one?)
Motto yasui no wa arimasuka? - Have you got cheaper one?
Takai desune - Expensive isn't it?

[deadhippo]

Ohayo is often said when starting work, even at night time

[yaschan]

Hey, that's good point! I didn't know that one.

[Takebon]

When finishing the work, we often say, "Otukaresama".:smile:

[yaschan]

Omoshiroi

Otsukare! :cocktail:

[deadhippo]

If you leave work before the others you should say
o-saki ni shitsurei shimasu