LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
There is no direct translation in Japanese for the term “Hello.” Instead, one of the day’s greetings is used to break the ice.
おやすみ。
Oyasumi. (casual form)
おやすみなさい。
Oyasuminasai. (polite form)
Good night.
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
Japanese grammar is almost the reverse of English. Whereas English follows the order “S-V-O” (subject-verb-object), Japanese follows the order “S-O-V. “
Mata ne. / Mata ato de. / Jā, mata.
See you later.
Mata ashita.
See you tomorrow.
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There are various ways to say “See you later.” In all of these cases, however, the term “mata また” is used, which literally means “more”or “another.” “Ne ね” is a modifier used at the end of sentences to mean “huh?” “OK?” or “right?” to signify that the speaker thinks the other person agrees.
(Shitsurei desu ga) onamae wa?
(Excuse me)…What’s your name?
Watashi wa Samu to mōshimasu. (polite form)
Watashi wa Samu desu. (casual form)
My name is Sam.
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
Before asking somebody’s name, you should say “Shitsurei desu ga
“~ to mōshimasu ~
Doko no kuni kara kimashita ka?
Where are you from?
Amerika / Kanada / Igirisu kara kimashita.
I’m from America / Canada / England.
————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————
Japan is an exceptionally homogeneous country. The largest ethnic minority is Korean with approximately 1 million permanent residents, students, long-term visitors, and naturalized Japanese citizens. (Immigration Bureau of Japan 2005.)
(○○-san wa,) Doko de umaremashita ka?
Where were you born, [person’s name with “-san” added for respect]?
Watashi wa Nihon de umaremashita.
I was born in Japan.
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Remember, the ○○ takes the place of “____.” You will see these anywhere you’d expect to see a blank in English sentences.
Osumai wa dochira desu ka? (polite form)
どこに住んでるの。
Doko ni sunderu no? (casual form)
Where do you live?
Ōsaka ni sunde imasu.
I live in Osaka.
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
“Ka か” at the end of a sentence signals a question mark. “Masu ます” is one of the many verb endings you will learn, and it can be understood as “is” (or, the simple present positive tense).
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me.
はい。
Hai.
Yes, OK, How may I help you?
————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————
Depending on the situation, “sumimasen すみません” can also mean “I’m sorry” or even “Thank you,” similar to the wide variety of uses that we have in English for “OK.” The word “hai はい” also has many meanings.
Eigo ga wakarimasu ka?
Do you understand English?
はい、わかります。
Hai, wakarimasu.
I understand English.
いいえ、わかりません。
Iie, wakarimasen.
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