sorts of phrases will suffice for most greetings. The Japanese tend not to go into a lot of detail nor openly say what they think, especially in simple conversations, unless they’re really excited or frustrated etc. Take your cues from those around you about how elaborate your explanations should be—as much as you can, fitting in is important!
What’s on your mind?
Nani kangaeten-no?
何なに考かんがえてんの？
Nothing.
Betsu-ni.
別べつに。
Nan-demo nai-yo.
何なんでもないよ。
Nani-mo.
何なにも。
Nan-demo nai-yo is a response to “What’s wrong?” or “What’s on your mind?” Nani-mo is a response to many questions, showing that there’s nothing on your mind, that you don’t want to say anything, or there’s nothing happening.
I was just thinking.
Kangae-goto shiteta.
考かんがえ事ごとしてた。
These answers show that you were thinking, but don’t have anything to say about it.
Chotto-ne.
ちょっとね。
Chotto-ne shows that you were thinking, and invites the other person to ask about it.
I was just daydreaming.
Bōtto shiteta.
ぼーっとしてた。
Leave me alone!
Hottoite!
ほっといて！
It’s none of your business!
Kankei nai-desho! ♀
関かん係けいないでしょ！
Kankei nai-darō! ♂
関かん係けいないだろう！
Yokei-na osewa!
よけいなお世話せ わ!
Is Sally okay?
Sarī genki?
サリー元気げん き?
How’s Sally doing?
Sarī dō shiteru?
サリーどうしてる？
The answer to Sarī genki? will usually be “She’s okay.” and the answer to Sarī dō shiteru? will usually be “She’s okay. She has been doing. . .” Genki. . . shiteru 元気げん き. . . してる。 or “She’s okay. She went to...” Genki... ni itta 元気げん き...に行いった。 Dō shiteru? should solicit a longer answer.
Seen Jeff?
Jeffu minakatta?
ジェフ見みなかった？
I saw/met Kerry.
Kerii-ni atta.
ケリーに会あった。
I want to see you soon.
Sugu(-ni) aitai.
すぐ (に) 会あいたい。
See you later.
Jā mata-ne.
じゃあまたね。
Mata-ne.
またね。
Mata.
また。
Goodbye.
Sayōnara.
さようなら。
Bai-bai.
バイバイ。
2 Yes and No
Yes.
Hai.
はい。
Ee.
ええ。
Un.
うん。
There are many ways to indicate agreement in Japanese, and these are the most direct. Un and Uun (see below) are very casual and natural, and they especially should be accompanied with gestures to make yourself clear.
No.
Iie.
いいえ。
Uun.
ううん。
Iya,...
いや、…
Iya is often used before another phrase, to explain or soften the disagreement, such as Iya, betsu-ni いや、別べつに “no, not especially.”
The Japanese, following their preference for indirectness, don’t always say “yes” and “no” in the Western sense.
That’s right!
◆ Sō-dane!
そうだね！
◆ Sō-dana! ♂
そうだな！
Mā-ne!
まあね！
Mā-ne is often used to mean “I know.” If said teasingly, it means “Yeah I know (but I might not tell you).” For example: “She’s pretty, isn’t she? Do you know her?” “Maybe I know her, maybe I don’t.” (Mā-ne.)
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