Japanese Language/Everyday Phrases

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Here are some useful greetings that will help you with basic Japanese conversation.

Useful Phrases[edit | edit source]

English Japanese Romaji Japanese Hiragana Japanese Kanji/Kana Notes
Hello Konnichiwa こんにちは 今日は Used from around 10am until 6 PM.
Good evening Konbanwa こんばんは (今晩は) Used from 6PM until morning.
Good morning Ohayou gozaimasu おはようございます (お早うございます) Used from morning until about 11am.
Goodbye Sayounara さようなら   Goodbyes are rarely used. Typically, there are other phrases more appropriate and relative to each situation.
How are you? O-genki desu ka? おげんきですか? お元気ですか? Formal
I'm fine, thank you. Hai, genki desu. Arigatou gozaimasu. はい、げんきです。ありがとうございます。 はい、元気です。ありがとうございます。 Formal
I'm fantastic. Un, zekkouchou dayo. うん、ぜっこうちょう だよ。 うん、絶好調 だよ。 Only to be used with close friends: very informal but much more normal.