Nihongo Nihongo
Basic Japanese Phrases – Part 3
Useful Japanese Phrases
In this lesson, we will learn about commonly used Japanese phrases.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| ようこそ | youkoso | Welcome (aboard) |
| さようなら | sayounara | Good bye (This is only used if you are leaving for a long time, like going overseas) |
| また明日 | mata ashita | See you tomorrow |
| ではまた | dewa mata | See you |
| すみません | sumimasen | Excuse me (when asking for something) |
| すみません | sumimasen | I am sorry (for my fault) |
| すみません | sumimasen | Pardon me (for missing what you said) |
| すみません | sumimasen | Thank you (for taking the trouble to do… for me) |
| ごめんなさい | gomen nasai | I am sorry |
| 失礼ですが | shitsurei desuga | Excuse me, but… (when asking for something) |
| ありがとうございます | arigatou gozaimasu | Thank you very much |
| どういたしまして | dou itashimashite | You are welcome/Don’t mention it/Not at all |
| どうぞ | douzo | Here you are. (Used when offering something to someone) |
| どうも | doumo | Well, thanks |
| お休みなさい | oyasumi nasai | Good night |
| おめでとうございます | omedetou gozaimasu | Congratulations |
| お元気ですか | ogenki desu ka | How are you? |
| はい、おかげさまで 元気です | hai, okagesamade genki desu | Yes, due to your kind thought, I am very good |
| 大丈夫ですか | daijoubu desu ka | Are you OK? |
| 大丈夫です | daijoubu desu | I am OK |
| はじめまして | hajimemashite | How do you do? (Literally “I am meeting you for the first time”. This Japanese phrase is usually used as the first phrase when introducing oneself) |
| マイクと申します | maiku to moushimasu | My name is Mike (Assuming your name is Mike) |
| どうぞよろしくお願いします | douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu | I am pleased to meet you. (Literally “Please make good relation with me” or “Please be kind to me”. Usually used at the end of a self-introduction) |
| こちらこそよろしくお願いします | kochira koso yoroshiku onegaishimasu | I am please to meet you too. (Literally “Please be kind to me too”) (Response to “どうぞよろしくお願いします”) |
| これからお世話になります | korekara osewani narimasu | I hope for your assistance hereafter. (Literally “Please take care of me hereafter”) |
| ごめんください | gomenkudasai | Anybody home?/May I come in? (An expression used by a visitor) |
| いらっしゃい | irasshai | How nice of you to come/Welcome |
| どうぞお上がりください | douzo oagari kudasai | Please come in (the house) |
| お邪魔します | ojamashimasu | Excuse me for disturbing you (Greeting used when going to someone’s house) |
| お名前は | o namae wa | What is your name?(The “お” in front makes the question more polite) |
| いただきます | itadakimasu | You say this to express your gratitude before meals |
| ごちそうさまでした | gochisou sama deshita | You say this to express your gratitude after meals |
| 行ってきます | ittekimasu | I am going out now. See you later (Phrase used when going out from home) |
| 行ってらっしゃい | itterasshai | Take care. Have a nice day (Response to “行ってきます”, used by people in the house) |
| ただいま | tadaima | I am home (Phrase used when coming back to home) |
| お帰りなさい | okaerinasai | Welcome back (Response to “ただいま”, used by people in the house) |
| お気をつけて | o ki wo tsukete | Be careful |
| お大事に | o daiji ni | Take care of your body (say this to friend who is sick) |
Read more:
Basic Japanese Lessons: Restaurant Dialogue
Japanese Phrases for Meeting and Greeting
