Useful Phrases

It's a shiny new thread!
(And hopefully something we can all enjoy!)

As you watch more and more anime, you start to notice that you hear certain things quite often. And slowly, as you watch more and more, you start to pick up on indiviudal Japanese words, phrases, and general expressions.

The purpose of this thread is two fold.

1) Educational - I shall put various context-specific Japanese phrases here over time, as I see fit. Use them as you will, whether it be to poke fun at your friend, or to cordially invite your pet llama to a dinner party. Fun for all.

2) A place to share your favourite phrases da yo! Know a bit of Japanese you think is really cool, or that you think might just enlighten someone? Put it here. I might edit my first post and include your saying in it.

Share the love of Japanese! Go, go, go! Or if you're the lurker (like we tend to get occasionally), lurk, lurk, lurk!

Basic Greetings and Exchanges

Phrase	Romaji	Kana
How do you do?	Hajimemashite.	はじめまして
Pleased to meet you.	Douzo yoroshiku	どうぞよろしく
Good morning.	Ohayou(gozaimasu)	おはとうございます
Good day.	Konnichi wa	こんにちは
Good evening.	Konbanwa	こんばんは
Goodnight.	Oyasumi(nasai)	おやすみなさい
Goodbye.	Sayounara	さようなら
See you later.	Ja, mata	じゃ、また
How are you? (Are you well?)	O-genki desu ka?	おげんきですか
I’m fine. (Yes, I’m well)	Hai, genki desu.	はい、げんきです
And you?	Anata wa...?	あなたは？
It’s nice (good) weather, isn’t it?	Ii o-tenki desu ne?	いい　おてんきですね
It’s really coming down, isn’t it?	Yoku furimasu ne?	よく　ふりますね

Agreeing and Disagreeing

Phrase	Romaji	Kana
Yes	Hai	はい
No	Iie	いいえ
Yes (informal)	Ee	ええ
Yeah (very informal)	Un	うん
It is, isn't it?	Sou desu ne.	そうですね
Is that so?	Sou ka?	そうですか

Common Phrases and Expressions

Phrase	Romaji	Kana
Thank you	Arigatou(gozaimasu)	ありがとうございます
You're welcome/Don't mention it	Douitashimashite	どういたしまして
Excuse me.	Sumimasen.	すみません
I'm sorry.	Gomen(nasai).	ごめんなさい
Congratulations!	Omedetou(gozaimasu)!	おめでとうございます
Take care of yourself.	o-daiji ni	おだいじに
Do your best!	Ganbatte kudasai!	がんばってください
(said before eating)	Itadakimasu	いたｋだきます
(said after eating)	Gochisousamadeshita	ごちそうさまでした

Completely random! (The fun stuff)

Phrase	Romaji	Kana
Is there a tenis court nearbly?	Chikaku ni tenisu ko-to ga arimasu ka?	ちかくに　テニスコートが　ありｍすか
Have you a mild cure for a cold?	Hana-kaze ni kiku kusuri ga arimasu ka?	はなかぜに　きく　くすりが　ありますか
Could I have it in small change, please?	Chiisai o-satsu de itadakemasu ka?	ちいさい　おさつで　いただけますか
My wife is expecting a baby in December.	Kanai wa ju-ni-gatsu ni shussan no yotei desu.	かないは　じゅうにがつに　しゅっさんの　よていです
Is it suitable for children?	Kodomo muki desu ka?	こどもが　むきですか

OTHER NOTES: As seen above, some of the phrases have a (gozaimasu) or a (nasai). For casual conversation, such as between friends of the same age and social rank, these can be left out.