If you're planning to visit Japan or simply want to learn more about Japanese culture, knowing some basic greetings and common phrases in Japanese is a great place to start. Whether you're greeting someone for the first time or ordering food in a Japanese restaurant for example, using Japanese phrases can help you communicate effectively and show respect for the language and culture.
When greeting someone in Japanese, it's common to bow slightly and say "konnichiwa," which means "hello." To show even more respect, you can add "san" after the person's name, such as "Tanaka-san," which is similar to the English "Mr." or "Ms." When saying goodbye, you can use phrases like "sayonara," which means "goodbye," or "mata ne," which means "see you later."
When ordering food in a restaurant, it's helpful to know phrases like "o-namae wa nan desu ka," which means "what is your name," and "onegaishimasu," which means "please." You can also use specific phrases to order food and drinks, such as "biiru o kudasai," which means "beer, please," or "kohi o hitotsu kudasai," which means "one coffee, please."
Other common phrases in Japanese include "arigatou gozaimasu," which means "thank you very much," and "sumimasen," which means "excuse me" or "sorry." It's also important to be aware of honorific language, using different words and phrases to show respect based on the person's status.
By learning some basic greetings and common phrases in Japanese, you can communicate more effectively with Japanese speakers and show respect for the language and culture. Don't forget to check out our main "Learning Japanese" page for other useful pages and lessons.
Below we’ll try to list some every day helpful phrases by theme:
Greetings
Nice to meet you : hajimemashite
Good morning. : Ohayou gozaimasu.
Good day : Konnichiwa
Good night : Konbawa
Goodbye : Sayounara
Sleep well : Oyasuminasai
See you soon : Dewa mata
See you in a moment : Ja atode
See you tomorow : mata ashita
Have a nice trip : Ii riyoko wo shite ne
Get back safe : Kaeri ni ha ki wo tsukete ne
Have a nice weekend : Tanoshii shumatsu wo
How are you ? : Genki desu ka
I’m super fine : Totemo genki desu.
I’m fine to : Watashi mo genki.
So so : Maa maa
I don’t feel well : Genki ja nai.
Weather
What is the weather today ? : Kyou ha donna tenki desu ka ?
It’s a nice day : ii tenki da !
It’s sunny : Harete iru
It’ rainy : Ame ga furu.
It looks like it will rain soon : sugu ame ga furisou da.
There’s alot of wind : Kaze ga tsuyoi.
It’s cloudy : Kumori desu.
There’s a storm coming : Kaminari ga natte imasu.
It’s a bad weather : waruii tenki desu
It’s snowing : Yuki ga futte imasu
It’s warm outside : Soto ha atatakai
It’s freezing cold : sugoi samui !
It is too hot. I'll die with this humidity. : Atsusugiru. Kono shikke ha yabai, shinugurai
Bed time
It’s time to get up ! : Okiru jikan desu yo !
Get up already ! : Hayaku okinasai !
Did you sleep well ? : yoku nemureta ?
No, I couldn’t fall asleep : iya, nemurenakatta
I had a nightmare : kowai yumei wo mita no
Food Talk
When you start to eat : Itadakimasu. o which, you should answer : Meshi Agare
I’m hungry, is dinner ready ? : Onaka suita, bangohan ha dekita ?
It’s time to eat breakfast : Asa gohan no jikan da !
Did you brush your teeth ? : Ha wo migaita ?
I’m thirsty : No ga kawaita
You drink something ? : Nanika nomimasu ka.
What’s the speciality of this region ? : Kono en no tokubetsu ryori ha nan desu ka ?
I want to eat sushi : shushi wo tabetai desu
Cheers ! : Kanpai !
It’s good ! : Oishii !
Do you need a refill ? : Okawarii ikaga desu ka ?
My stomach is full : Onaka ga ippai desu
Amai mono ga suki : I love sweets
Suppai : Acid
Shoppai : salty
Shyou : salt
Nigai : bitter
Feelings
Yes : Hai
No : Iie
Of course : Mochiron
Maybe : Tabun
With pleasure : Yorokonde
Sorry : gomen nasai
Please : Yoroshikereba
Thanks : arigatou
No, thank you : Iie, kekko desu.
I can’t : dekinai
Excuse me : shitsurei sumimasen
Congrats ! : Omedetou !
It’s good : ii desu
Amazing : subarashii
Awesome : sugoi
Perfect : kanpeki
I really like Japan : Nihon ga totemo suki desu
I’m fond of sushi : sushi ga daisuki
I love you : anata wo aishiteimasu
I don’t really like spicy food : karai ryori ga amari suki ja nai.
I hate it : Kirai da
I really hate it : Daikirai da
Too bad : Zannen desu
Finally ! : Yatto !
It’s a good idea : Sore ha ii kangae da
Poor guy/girl : Kawaisou ni
It’s so sad : nanto kanashii
You are not lucky : un ga warui desu ne
No doubt about it : Tashika ni
I understood : Wakarimashita
I don’t understand : wakarimasen
I know : shiteimasu
I don’t know : shiranai
As you like : Osuki na youni
No, it’s not possible : Iie, sore ha fukanou desu.
It’s bothering me : Komarimasu
Stop it : Yamete
Don’t do that : Sore ha suru na
I give you my word : Yakusoku da
It’ ok, don’t worry : daijobu desu
No need to worry : shinpai ha iranai / shinpai suru na
Trust me : shinjite kudasai
I forgot : wasureta
I remember : oboeteimasu
Watch out ! : Abunai !
Take care : Ki wo tsukete
It’s your fault : anata no sei da
It’s a lie : Uso da
It’s a mistake : machigai desu
I’m happy : ureshii desu
I’m very happy : Shiawase da
Nice : Suteki
Well done : yokatta
I’m unhappy : ureshikunai
I’m annoyed : fuman desu
I’m angry : Okotteimasu
It annoys me : Iraira shiteimasu
It’s beautiful : Kirei (or stronger : Utsukushii)
Wonderful : Subarashii
I was surprised : Bikkuri shita
No way : uso mitai
Are you kidding ? : jodaan deshou ?
And ? : Sore de ?
I don’t care : doudemo ii
I’m afraid : Kowai
I’m anxious : Fuan desu
I’m nervous : Iraira suru
I’m frustrated : kitai hazure
I’m jealous : zurui
I’m disapointed : shistubou shiteiru
I’m so stupid : Nante watashi ha baka nanda
I’m in a bad mood : Kigen ga waruii
It’s boring : tsumaranai
Get well : odaijini
Common Phrases at Home
I’m leaving, bye : Itte kimasu. Jaa ne.
What are you doing today ? : kyou ha nani wo suruno ?
