Eldridge OnLine Japanese Lessons
Get a Shirt or Hat in Japanese! 
Useful Expressions in Japanese- Lesson 2: Greetings and Common Everyday Expressions
Okay, now you've practiced how to pronounce the Japanese Kana. You did practice, right!! Now, you're ready to try out some useful expressions. Remember that Japanese is used differently than English. Along with any language comes culture.
HINT 1: When speaking to a boss, or some one of a higher status than you, you would use polite/formal ["f."] Japanese (not much choice, ya gotta do it!) When speaking with friends, you would use casual ["c."]Japanese.
HINT 2: Two of the same vowel placed together is pronounced as the one letter held out; "Ohayoo" 's "oo": like in "whoa" not "moose". Two consonants placed together is a little different. This time, it's almost like saying two words, without breathing in between. Hold the first letter, then pronounce it again starting the second part of the word; "Matte" (wait) 's "tt" should be pronounced like "mat~te", not "mate". Good luck!
| Ohayoo gozaimasu | f. | Good Morning | used until about 10:00 a.m. |
| Ohayoo | c. | 'morning! | used until about 10:00 a.m. |
| Konnichiwa | f.c. | Hello / Good afternoon | used almost anytime of day 10:00 - sundown |
| Kombanwa | f. | Good evening | about 6 p.m. - late |
| Sayoonara | f.c. | Good-bye | to be more formal, you could say shitsurei shimasu |
| ja, mata ne | c. | See ya later | used only between friends or relatives |
| Oyasumi nasai | f. | Good night | before bed or, sometimes, when parting late at night |
| Itte kimasu | f.c. | I'll be back | when leaving (and planning to return)- used often |
| Itte rasshai | f.c. | Good bye | lit. go and return -the reply to "ittekimasu", said to the person leaving |
| Tadaima | f.c. | I'm back | by the person returning home |
| Okaeri nasai | f. | Welcome home | the reply to "tadaima", to the person returning |
| Okaeri | c. | Welcome back | more casual than "okaeri nasai" |
| Ogenki desu ka. | f. | How are you? | lit. Are you well? |
| Genki. | c. | How are you? | shortened version of "ogenki desu ka"- very casual |
| Genki desu | f.c. | I'm fine. | very casually, you could say "genki yo" |
| Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu | f. | Thank you very much | extremely formal! |
| Arigatoo gozaimasu | f.c. | Thank you | still formal |
| Arigatoo | f. | Thank you | most often used |
| Doomo | c. | Thanks | pretty casual |
| Doo itashimashite | f.c. | Your welcome | okay in most any occasion |
You might notice that "gozaimasu" and "nasai" can sometimes be added to words to make them more formal. If you take them off, it has the same meaning, only more casual.
Another thing you might notice is the lack of question marks (?). In Japanese, you use the particle "ka" at the end of the word in its place. This is supplemented with a rise in intonation at the end of a question (same in English, right!)
I've tried to include both the formal and casual versions of each expression here. The problem with most books is they don't include much casual language, which you would use mostly unless you're traveling on business (or planning to meet the Emperor!) It is best to know both however, because you should speak somewhat formally when you first meet a person.
Study this lesson for a while, practice on your friends! If they have no idea what you're talking about, TEACH THEM!! Remember: if you can teach it, that means you understand it.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'VE FINISHED LESSON 2.
When you feel comfortable with this lesson, move on to lesson 3, "Useful Expressions Part II."