In this lesson you will learn some everyday phrases and sound structures of the Japanese language.
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| [cue 01-1] |
Basic Sentences
| 1. | 「こんにちは。」“Kon’nichi wa.”“Hello! (literally, As for today…)” | 「ああ, こんにちは。」“Ā, kon’nichi wa.”“Oh, hi!” |
| 2. | 「先生, おはようございます。」“Sensei, ohayō gozaimasu.”“Professor, good morning! (lit., It is early.)” | 「ああ, 山田さん。おはよう。」“Ā, Yamada-san, ohayō.”“Oh, good morning, Ms. Yamada!’ |
| …ございます …gozaimasuRemember that you must add gozaimasu after ohayō ‘good morning’ and arigatō ‘thank you’ when you say these to your superior. | ||
| 3. | 「こんばんは。」“Konban wa!”“Good evening! (lit., As for this evening…)” | 「ああ, こんばんは。」“Ā, konban wa!”“Oh, good evening!” |
| 4. | 「(どうも) ありがとうございます。」“(Dōmo) arigatō gozaimasu.”“Thank you (very much).” | 「いいえ。」“Īe”“Not at all. (lit., No.)” |
| 5. | 「ありがとうございました。」“Arigatō gozaimashita.”“Thank you (for what you have done).” | 「どういたしまして。」“Dō itashimashite.”“You’re welcome.” |
| 6. | 「お元気ですか。」“Ogenki desu ka.”“How are you? (lit., Are you well?)” | 「はい, おかげさまで。」“Hai, okage-sama de.”“Yes, I’m fine, thank you. (lit., Thanks to you and others.)” |
| 7. | 「さようなら。」“Sayōnara!”“Goodbye!” | 「さようなら。」“Sayōnara!”“Goodbye!” |
| 8. | 「お母さん, おやすみなさい。」“Okāsan, oyasuminasai.”“Good night, mom! (lit., Please rest well.)” | 「ああ, おやすみ。」“Ā, oyasumi.”“Oh, good night!” |
| 9. | 「あのう, (ちょっと) すみません。」“Anō, (chotto) sumimasen.”“Excuse me.” | 「はい。」“Hai.”“Yes.” |
| ちょっと chottoChotto means ‘a little bit’ and is used with a variety of verbs and adjectives, but it also functions just to make one’s expression soft and friendly. It can be used by itself to get attention or softly refuse something or express dislikes. | ||
| 10. | 「(どうも）すみませんでした。」“(Dōmo) Sumimasen deshita.”“I’m (very) sorry. (I have committed a discourtesy.)” | 「いいえ。」“Īe.”“No, (don’t worry).” |
| すみません SumimasenSumimasen is one of the most frequently used words in Japanese. Depending on the context, it is used to catch attention or apologize. It is also used to thank someone when one receives overwhelming generosity or kindness from him/her. | ||
| 11. | 「あ, ごめんなさい。」“A, gomen nasai.”“Oh, I’m sorry.” | 「ううん, だいじょうぶ。」“Uun, daijōbu.”“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” |
| 12. | ちょっと失礼ですが…Chotto shitsurei desu ga…Excuse me, but… (I have a question or request). | |
| 13. | ちょっと待って (ください)。Chotto matte (kudasai).Please wait a moment. | |
| 14. | 「ゆっくり (話してください) 。」“Yukkuri (hanashite kudasai).”“(Please talk) slowly.” | 「はい。」“Hai.”“Sure.” |
| 15. | もう一度 (言ってください) 。Mō ichido (itte kudasai).(Please) (say it) again. | |
| 16. | お願いします。Onegai shimasu.Please (do so). (I’ll make a request of you.) | |
| 17. | では (or じゃ), 失礼します。“De wa (or Ja), shitsurei shimasu.”Well, I’ll say goodbye. (Excuse me.) | |
| 18. | 「じゃ, また。」“Ja, mata.”“So long! (Well, (see you) again!)” | 「ええ, じゃ, また。 」“Ē, ja, mata.”“Okay, see you!” |
| 19. | 「はじめまして 。スミスです。よろしく。」“Hajimemashite. Sumisu desu. Yoroshiku.”“Hi! I’m Ms. Smith. Nice to meet you!” | 「はじめまして。田中です。こちらこそよろしく。」“Hajimemashite. Tanaka desu. Kochira koso yoroshiku.”“Hi! I’m Mr. Tanaka. Nice to meet you, too!” |
CULTURE NOTE Puzzling Japanese Phrases
Beginner students of the Japanese language are often puzzled by simple, daily expressions when they see their literal translations. This is mainly due to socio-cultural differences between Japan and other countries, especially in the West, although structural differences in the language are also responsible. Many Japanese phrases were derived from locutions that express modesty and respect. For example, when the Japanese introduce themselves to others, they say yoroshiku onegai shimasu at the end. Phrase books will offer a conventional translation, like ‘Nice to meet you,’ but the literal translation is very different. Literally, yoroshiku means ‘well,’ appropriately,’ or ‘favorably.’ Onegai means ‘wish’ or ‘request.’ Shimasu means ‘will do.’ So, the entire phrase literally means something like ‘I request (you to act) in favor (of me)’ or ‘please be kind to me.’ You may wonder why Japanese people say something that implies their helplessness at the very moment they introduce themselves, but the phrase actually expresses their modesty, their respect for the person they’re speaking to, and their willingness to have a good relationship with him or her. And while the literal translation of the phrase is awkward, understanding the culture, understanding the idea of the phrase, and learning exactly when the phrase is used—by whom, to whom, and for what purpose—is the key to success in acquiring the language. Conventional English translations may be useful for you at the outset, but in a later context they will eventually confuse you. So, when you learn Japanese, think in Japanese, not in English!
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| [cue 01-2] |
Basic Vocabulary
FAMILIAR JAPANESE WORDS
| 折り紙 origami | origami |
| 着物 kimono | kimono |
| 空手 karate | karate |
| すし sushi | sushi |
| 刺身 sashimi | sliced raw fish |
| すき焼き sukiyaki | sukiyaki (beef stew) |
| うどん
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