Common Phrases
Learn essential Japanese phrases for everyday conversation.
Everyday Phrases
50 commonly used phrases in daily Japanese.
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | Ohayō gozaimasu | Good morning |
| こんにちは | Konnichiwa | Hello / Good afternoon |
| こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening |
| さようなら | Sayōnara | Goodbye |
| おやすみなさい | Oyasuminasai | Good night |
| ありがとうございます | Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you (polite) |
| どういたしまして | Dō itashimashite | You're welcome |
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me / Sorry |
| ごめんなさい | Gomen nasai | I'm sorry |
| はい | Hai | Yes |
| いいえ | Iie | No |
| お願いします | Onegai shimasu | Please (when requesting) |
| どうぞ | Dōzo | Please (when offering) / Here you are |
| いただきます | Itadakimasu | Thank you for the meal (before eating) |
| ごちそうさまでした | Gochisōsama deshita | Thank you for the meal (after eating) |
| 元気ですか | O-genki desu ka? | How are you? |
| 元気です | Genki desu | I'm fine |
| 名前は何ですか | O-namae wa nan desu ka? | What is your name? |
| 私の名前は...です | Watashi no namae wa ... desu | My name is ... |
| はじめまして | Hajimemashite | Nice to meet you (for the first time) |
| どうぞよろしく | Dōzo yoroshiku | Pleased to meet you / I look forward to working with you |
| これは何ですか | Kore wa nan desu ka? | What is this? |
| いくらですか | Ikura desu ka? | How much is it? |
| どこですか | Doko desu ka? | Where is it? |
| トイレはどこですか | Toire wa doko desu ka? | Where is the bathroom? |
| わかりません | Wakarimasen | I don't understand |
| わかりました | Wakarimashita | I understand / I understood |
| 日本語が話せません | Nihongo ga hanasemasen | I don't speak Japanese |
| 英語を話せますか | Eigo o hanasemasu ka? | Do you speak English? |
| もう一度お願いします | Mō ichido onegai shimasu | One more time, please |
| ゆっくりお願いします | Yukkuri onegai shimasu | Slower, please |
| 助けて | Tasukete! | Help! |
| 危ない | Abunai! | Watch out! / Dangerous! |
| お大事に | O-daiji ni | Get well soon |
| お疲れ様でした | Otsukaresama deshita | Thank you for your hard work |
| 行ってきます | Ittekimasu | I'm leaving (and will come back) |
| 行ってらっしゃい | Itterasshai | Take care / See you later (response to Ittekimasu) |
| ただいま | Tadaima | I'm home |
| おかえりなさい | Okaerinasai | Welcome home |
| もしもし | Moshi moshi | Hello (on the phone) |
| 本当ですか | Hontō desu ka? | Really? |
| そうですか | Sō desu ka | Is that so? / I see |
| すごい | Sugoi! | Amazing! / Wow! |
| おめでとうございます | Omedetō gozaimasu | Congratulations |
| 誕生日おめでとう | Tanjōbi omedetō | Happy Birthday |
| 乾杯 | Kanpai! | Cheers! |
| 頑張ってください | Ganbatte kudasai | Good luck / Do your best |
| ちょっと待ってください | Chotto matte kudasai | Please wait a moment |
| どうぞお座りください | Dōzo o-suwari kudasai | Please have a seat |