Learn Japanese - Lesson 1: Greetings

Japanese Greetings 1

おはよう (ございます)。 = Good morning (polite)

[ohayou (gozaimasu)]

こんにちは。 = Hello; Good afternoon

[konnichiwa*]

こんばんは。 = Good evening

[konbanwa*]

どうぞ よろしく。 = Nice to meet you

[douzo yoroshiku]

はじめまして。 = How do you do?

[hajimemashite]

わたし の なまえ は _____ です。= My name is ____ .

[watashi no namae wa* ____ desu]

ありがとう (ございます)。= Thank you (polite)

[arigatou gozaimasu]

どう いたしまして。= You're welcome

[dou itashimashite]

ごめんなさい。= Sorry

[gomennasai]

*: When は appears after a subject, it is pronounced "wa".

Note about です: usually this word is pronounced "dess", rhyming with the English word "less."

Homework

Which greeting would you use in the following situations?

1. You see a neighbor at the bus stop during your morning commute.
2. You accidentally bump someone when rushing out of the elevator.
3. Somebody thanks you for holding the door.
4. You just met your new neighbor.

1. おはよう ございます。
2. ごめんなさい。
3. どう いたしまして。
4. どうぞ よろしく。