Greetings

Regular Greetings
*standard *casual form
Ohayou gozai masu / Ohayou = Good morning
Konnichiwa = Good afternoon / Hello
Konbanwa = Good evening
Oyasumi nasai / Oyasumi = Good night
*All of these greetings include the nuance of “how are you?” That is why we don’t additionally ask “how are you?” for people we see often. We often use “how are you?” for people we haven’t seen for a while. (please take a look at the part: [Reunion Greetings])
Sayonara = Good-bye
Dewa mata / Ja mata (ne) / mata ne = see you later
Bai bai = Bye
*Sayonara sounds more formal and has the nuance “good-bye “forever”, which is why we avoid this phrase for people we are expecting to see again soon.
Reunion Greetings
O hisashiburi desu / Hisashiburi = Long time no see
Genki desu ka? / Genki? = how are you? / how have you been?
First-meeting Greetings
Hajimemashite (Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu) = Nice to meet you
At the End of the first meeting
Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu / Douzo yoroshiku = Nice meeting you / Let’s stay in touch / I look forward to working with you in the future
*Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu can be used when you ask someone’s favour. In the case, it means “Thank you (in advance).”
Thank you & Sorry
Arigatou gozaimasu / Arigatou = Thank you / Thanks
As a response to “Arigato gozaimasu,” we don’t often say “Dou itashi mashite” = You’re welcome. Instead, we say “Ieie” (No no) and “Yokatta desu” (It was good.)
Sumimasen* = I’m sorry
Gomen nasai / Gomen = Sorry
(As a response) you can say, “Daijoobu desu / Daijoobu” = I’m alright/no problem
*You can also use “Sumimasen” as “Excuse me” in English