Greetings in Japanese Language
The writer of Tokyo Direct Guide is a native Japanese speaker and a local who experienced international travels.
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Simple Greetings in Japanese
English |
Japanese |
| Hello. | Konnichiwa. |
| Good-bye. | Sayonara. |
| Thank you. | Arigato. |
| You're welcome. | Do-itashimashite. |
"Konnichiwa" and "Sayonara" are used both casually and politely. You can say it in formal situations such as business conferences and very casual conversations.
If you want to express "Arigato" politely, add "Gozaimasu." It will be "Arigato-Gozaimasu."
"Do-itashimashite" is polite. It is not used very often in Japanese language, but people will feel fine to be said so.
Basic and/or Survival Phrases in Japanese
English |
Japanese |
| Yes. | Hai. |
| No. | Iie. |
Same to most languages, nodding means "yes," shaking one's head means "no."
English |
Japanese |
| Please. | Onegai-shimasu. |
| Excuse me. | Sumimasen. |
| I'm sorry. | Gomen-nasai. |
You can say "Sumimasen" when you call after shop crews, hotel clerks etc, instead of "Hello". For example, "Sumimasen, I have a question about hotel restaurants./ I take this one."
English |
Japanese |
| Can you speak English? | Eigo-Hanase-masuka? |
"Eigo" means "English". In the places where many international people visit, such as hotels, there are English speakers.
If you have a situation to say this and the person who you talk to is not an English speaker unfortunately, he or she will bring someone to speak English. Japanese people are known to be poor at speaking English. Even if the non-English-speaking person looks perplexed, it just means he or she is too shy and nervous. Please don't take it seriously as he or she is exclusive enough to hate you. Just smile with saying "Thank you," and he or she will be relieved and happy.
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