Special Expressions Flashcards
Hai
That’s right, here you are, got it, present
When someone calls your name in Japanese, it is customary to respond with a crisp “hai” to show your respect. It is also used when handing something over, when accepting something that is handed to you, to acknowledge a request, or as a way to say something is correct. A less formal way to indicate agreement or understanding is “ee.”
Douzo
Go ahead
Used when you offer something to someone, such as something to eat, a seat, or an invitation to go through a door first, “douzo” is used.
Hai, Douzo
Here you go, take it, do it
When used together, “hai, douzo” uses “hai” to get the attention of another person. “Douzo” is used here to give something to someone else.
Arigatou Gozaimasu/Gozaimashita
Thank you
By itself, “arigatou” is an informal way to say thank you. By adding “gozaimasu” or “gozaimashita,” it is not only made formal, it is also given context. “Gozaimasu” is used when thanking someone for what they are currently doing or are going to do. “Gozaimashita” is used when thanking someone for what they have already done.
Sumimasen
Excuse me, I’m sorry, thank you
Used mainly as an attention-getter. For example, if you are in a shop and need someone to come help, saying “sumimasen” is customary. It can also be used as a casual apology, as a “thank you” when humbly accepting an offer, or a simple “I see” when acknowledging reprimand without necessarily admitting guilt.
Onegai-Shimasu
Please help me with this
Used by itself as an all-purpose request for assistance, such as “please help me with this” or “please give me a hand here.”
NAME Desu
I am NAME
Used as the simplest form of self-introduction, such as “Jonathan desu” to mean “I am Jonathan.” Japanese tend to use their last name (such as “Reppuhn desu”) or, sometimes, their full name (such as “Jonathan Reppuhn desu”). For Japanese names, their family name goes first (such as “Tanaka Ken” where Tanaka is the family name).
(Douzo) Yoroshiku (Onegai-Shimasu)
Nice to meet you
When used literally, it means “please treat me favorably.” Used in circumstances such as when someone has control over your fate, such as asking a favor, when you are going to be tested, when joining a group activity, or at the start of a meeting. It marks the official beginning of a relationship, making it a common in introductions. The full form (with “douzo” as “by all means” and “onegai-shimasu” as “please”) is more formal. Any combination can be used, such as “yoroshiku,” “douzo yoroshiku,” “yoroshiku onegai-shimasu,” or the entire “douzo yoroshiku onegai-shimasu.”
De Ha (De Wa)
Well, then
Used to signal major transition points in an interaction. For example, it can be used when visitors are rising from their seats to leave, a team leader declares the end of a meeting, or a presenter is moving on to another topic. Informally, “ja(a)” can be used instead.
Shitsurei-Shimasu
Excuse me
Used when entering a room, excusing yourself from any sort of meeting, or when interrupting. Essentially, it is used as you leave or any time you have done something that might be perceived as rude. If you are using this past-tense, it would be “shitsurei-shimashita.”
Ohayou Gozaimasu
Good morning
By itself, “ohayou” is is an informal way to say good morning. By adding “gozaimasu,” we get the more formal way to say good morning instead.
Itadakimasu
I humbly receive
Customary to say before beginning to eat or when receiving a gift. Should always be said as part of Japanese eating rituals.
Gouchisousama (Deshita)
Thank you (literally, it was a feast)
Customary to say when finished eating to show your appreciation for the food. At dinner parties, it should be repeated at the end even if you finished eating sometime prior. Should always be said as part of Japanese eating rituals. ”Deshita” is added to make it more formal.
Doumo
Hello
When translated literally, “doumo” means “in every way.” It precedes many phrases to strengthen the impact or to add emphasis. For example, “doumo arigatou gozaimasu” for thank you very much, “doumo shitsurei-shimashita” for please excuse me, etc. By itself, it can be any of these, or it can be used as a greeting such as “hello.”
Itte (i)rasshai
See you later
Used when someone is leaving to tell them literally “go and come back.”
Itte Kimasu
See you later
Used when you are leaving to say literally “I’ll go and come back.”
Ja(a) Ne
See you later (informal)
Ja(a)
So (informal)
Baibai
Bye-bye (informal)
(Ja) Mata (Ne)
(See you) again (informal)
Kochira Koso
(The pleasure/fault/etc.) is mine
While meaning “(the pleasure/fault/etc.) is mine,” it is also commonly used for “same here,” especially in greetings (nice to meet you, same here).
