Visiting Japan · Lesson 2

Greetings and meeting people

A greeting at the right time of day goes a long way. Here are hellos and goodbyes, introducing yourself, and what to say when you visit someone's home. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.

15 greetings

Each card shows the phrase, how to say it in English letters, and a short line using it. Tap "Show English" for the meaning and a note on when to say it, and tap the speaker to hear it.

G01

おはようございますOhayō gozaimas.morning

おはようございます。
Ohayō gozaimas.

good morning · Good morning.
Until about 10 or 11 in the morning.
G02

こんにちはKonnichiwa.daytime

こんにちは。
Konnichiwa.

hello, good afternoon · Hello.
From late morning until it gets dark. The は at the end is said wa.
G03

こんばんはKonbanwa.evening

こんばんは。
Konbanwa.

good evening · Good evening.
After dark. Again, the は at the end is said wa.
G04

おやすみなさいOyasumi nasai.evening

おやすみなさい。
Oyasumi nasai.

good night · Good night.
When someone is going to bed, or when you part late at night. It isn't an early-evening goodbye.
G05

はじめましてHajimemashite.meeting people

はじめまして。
Hajimemashite.

nice to meet you · Nice to meet you.
The first time you meet someone. Follow it with your name.
G06

〜です… des.meeting people

アレックスです。
Arekkusu des.

I'm … (your name) · I'm Alex.
Just your name and です. Japanese people often give their family name.
G07

〜から来きました… kara kimashta.meeting people

オーストラリアから来きました。
Ōsutoraria kara kimashta.

I'm from … · I'm from Australia.
When someone asks where you're from. Use the Japanese name of your country.
G08

よろしくお願ねがいしますYoroshiku onegai shimas.meeting people

はじめまして、よろしくお願ねがいします。
Hajimemashite, yoroshiku onegai shimas.

nice to meet you, I look forward to … · Nice to meet you.
Said at the end of an introduction, or when someone is going to help you, such as a guide.
G09

お元気げんきですかOgenki des ka?meeting people

お久ひさしぶりです。お元気げんきですか？
Ohisashiburi des. Ogenki des ka?

how are you? · It's been a while. How are you?
For someone you haven't seen for a while, not an everyday “how are you”.
G10

いらっしゃいませIrasshaimase.shop

いらっしゃいませ。
Irasshaimase.

welcome (shop staff) · Welcome.
You'll hear it when you walk into a shop or restaurant. You don't reply; a nod or a smile is fine.
G11

お邪魔じゃましますOjama shimas.home

お邪魔じゃまします。
Ojama shimas.

sorry to disturb you (going in) · Thank you for having me.
As you step into someone's home. Then take your shoes off in the entrance.
G12

お邪魔じゃましましたOjama shimashta.home

今日きょうはお邪魔じゃましました。
Kyō wa ojama shimashta.

thank you for having me (leaving) · Thank you for having me today.
As you leave someone's home.
G13

失礼しつれいしますShitsurei shimas.everywhere

では、失礼しつれいします。
Dewa, shitsurei shimas.

excuse me (going in or leaving) · Well, I'll be going now.
When you go into a room or office, and when you leave a meeting. Polite and safe.
G14

ありがとうございましたArigatō gozaimashta.shop

今日きょうはありがとうございました。
Kyō wa arigatō gozaimashta.

thank you (for what you did) · Thank you for today.
The past form: thanks for something that's finished, like a meal, a tour or a shop visit. A good way to say goodbye.
G15

さようならSayōnara.everywhere

さようなら。
Sayōnara.

goodbye · Goodbye.
Adults don't say it much: it can sound final, as if you won't meet again for a long time. 失礼しつれいします or ありがとうございました is more usual.

Which greeting when

Pick the greeting by the time of day or the place.

Time or place	Say	Pronunciation
Morning, until about 10 or 11	おはようございます	Ohayō gozaimas
Daytime	こんにちは	Konnichiwa
After dark	こんばんは	Konbanwa
Someone's going to bed	おやすみなさい	Oyasumi nasai
Going into someone's home	お邪魔じゃまします	Ojama shimas
Leaving someone's home	お邪魔じゃましました	Ojama shimashta
Going into or leaving a room or office	失礼しつれいします	Shitsurei shimas
Leaving a shop, a tour or a meeting	ありがとうございました	Arigatō gozaimashta

Bowing. A small nod of the head with your greeting is plenty. Nobody expects visitors to get bowing right, and a smile does the rest.
Shops greet you. Staff call out いらっしゃいませ when you walk in. You don't need to answer: a nod is fine.
Goodbye without さようなら. When leaving a shop or a meeting, people more often say ありがとうございました or 失礼しつれいします.

Two patterns to use today

〜から来きました

Say where you're from.

カナダから来きました。

Kanada kara kimashta.

I'm from Canada.

イギリスから来きました。

Igirisu kara kimashta.

I'm from the UK.

〜は初はじめてです

Say it's your first time somewhere.

日本にほんは初はじめてです。

Nihon wa hajimete des.

It's my first time in Japan.

京都きょうとは初はじめてです。

Kyōto wa hajimete des.

It's my first time in Kyoto.

Say it in Japanese

Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.

1. Good morning.
2. It's my first time in Tokyo.
3. Nice to meet you. I'm Sam.
4. I'm from America.
5. It's my second time in Japan.
6. Nice to meet you. (at the end of an introduction)
7. Sorry to disturb you. (going into a home)
8. Thank you for having me. (leaving a home)
9. Thank you very much. (leaving a shop)
10. Excuse me. (going into a room)