Useful daily expressions
おはよう ございます。Ohayō gozaimasu.
"Good morning." Used until about 10:00 a.m.
こんにちは。Konnichiwa.
"Hello." A rather informal greeting used from about 10:00 a.m. until sundown.
こんばんは。Kombanwa.
"Good evening."
おやすみなさい。Oyasuminasai.
"Good night." Said at night before going to bed and when parting at night during late hours outside the home.
さようなら。Sayōnara.
"Good-bye." On more formal occasions one uses shitsureishimasu.
では/じゃ また。Dewa/Ja mata.
"Well then…" Said informally when parting from relatives or friends.
おさきに しつれいします。O-sakini shitsureishimasu.
Said when leaving the office or a meeting before other pople.
いってらっしゃい。itterasshai.
"So long."(lit., "Go and come back.") Said to members of a househould as they leave the house. Occasionally it is used at work.
いってきます。ittekimasu.
"So long."(lit.,"[I'm] going and coming back.") This expression forms a pair with itterasshai.(see 8 above.) Occasionally it is used at work. A politer form is ittemairimasu.
ただいま。Tadaima.
"I'm back"(lit., "[I have returned] just now.") Said by a person on returning home. Occasionally it is used at work.
おかえりなさい。Okaerinasai.
"Welcome home." This expression forms a pair with tadaima.(See 10 above.) Occasionally it is used at work.
いただきます。Itadakimasu.
Said before eating a meal.
ごちそうさまでした。Gochisōsamadeshita.
Said after eating a meal.
おめでとうございます。Omedetō gozaimasu.
"Congratulations."
どうも ありがとうございます。Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.
"Thank you very much."
どういたしまして。Dō itashimashite.
"You're welcome."
すみません。Sumimasen.
"Excuse me," "I'm sorry."
ちょっと まってください。Chotto matte kudasai.
"Wait just a moment, please."
もう いちど おねがいします。Mō ichi-do onegaishimasu.
"Once more, please."
どうぞ おさきに。Dōzo o-sakini.
"Please, go ahead."
きをつけて。Ki o tsukete.
"Take care," "Be careful."
おだいじに。O-daijini.
"Take care of yourself." Used toward an ill or injured person.