Basic Japanese Expressions

Hello and Goodbye:

こんにちは = Konnichiwa = Hello (during the day)

おはよう　ございます = Ohayou gozaimasu = Good morning (Polite)

おはよう = Ohayou = Good morning (Casual)

こんばんは = Konbanwa = Good evening

さようなら = Sayounara = Goodbye (for a long period of time)

じゃあ、また（ね）= Ja, mata (ne) = See you later!

Thank you:

どうも　ありがとう　ございます = Doumo arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you very much (NOTE: only used for your ‘undying thanks’)

ありがとう ございます = Arigatou gozaimasu = Thank you (polite)

ありがとう = Arigatou = Thank you (casual)

どうも = Doumo = Thanks (NOTE: use when someone has done something small for you, ie. moving over a bit to let you through — they haven’t gone very far out of their way to do something for you)

How do you respond to someone saying ありがとう？You say:

いいえ = iie = It’s nothing (in this context.)

The word いいえ literally means ‘no’, but isn’t used very much aside from dismissing a ‘thank you’ or rejecting compliments:

Person A: ああ、<日本語　が　上手　ですね！

Aah, nihongo ga jouzu desu ne!

Your Japanese is good!

You: いいえ。

Sorry: 

すみません = Sumimasen = I’m sorry/ Thank you/ Excuse me

(NOTE: すみません means all three at once. ie. you can use it when trying to grab someone’s attention: excuse me, sorry for bothering you and thanks (in advance)…where can I find an ATM? OR when you’re moving through a crowd.)

ごめんなさい = Gomen’nasai = I’m sorry (personal. ie. you’ve done something wrong and you are apologising.)

And now you know some basic expressions that are used all the time~!