Perhaps you want to welcome someone, or wish them a good trip. Maybe you want to congratulate someone, or even apologize – either way, this Japanese language lesson is not to be missed. Listen carefully to the Japanese salutations and practice saying the phrases aloud until you’re ready to try them out in Japanese conversation for real!
Resources for further reading:
How to pronounce Japanese salutations
Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record
Rocket Record lets you perfect your Japanese pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!
頑張れ ！
がんばれ！
Ganbare!
All the best!
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お幸せに！
おしあわせ に！
Oshiawase ni!
May you be happy!
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楽しんで！
たのしんで！
Tanoshinde!
Have fun!
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お疲れ様！
おつかれ さま！
Otsukare sama!
Thank you and goodbye!
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良い旅を！
よい たび を！
Yoi tabi o!
Have a good trip!
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お食事を楽しんで！
おしょくじ を たのしん で！
Oshokuji o tanoshin de!
Enjoy your meal!
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乾杯！
かんぱい！
Kanpai!
Cheers!
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お元気で！
おげんき で！
Ogenki de!
Good health!
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幸福をお祈りいたします
こうふく を おいのり いたします
Kōfuku o oinori itashimasu!
Be lucky!
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よく できました！
よく できました！
Yoku dekimashita!
Well done!
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お体を大切に！
おからだ を たいせつ に！
Okarada o taisetsu ni!
Take care of your health!
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おめでとう御座います！
おめでとう ございます！
Omedetō gozaimasu!
Congratulations!
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ようこそ / いらっしゃい！
ようこそ / いらっしゃい！
Yōkoso! / Irashai!
Welcome!
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残念ですね！
ざんねん です ね！
Zannen desu ne!
It's such a pity!
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大変ですね！
たいへん です ね！
Taihen desu ne!
That's tough!
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お誕生日おめでとう！
おたんじょうび おめでとう！
Otanjōbi omedetō!
Best wishes on your birthday!
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あなたに祝福あれ！
あなた に しゅくふく あれ！
Anata ni shukufuku are!
Bless you!
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復活祭おめでとう！
ふっかつ さい おめでとう！
Fukkatsu sai omedetō!
Happy Easter!
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メリー クリスマス！
メリー クリスマス！
Merī kurisumasu!
Merry Christmas!
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新年おめでとうございます
しんねん おめでとう ございます
Shinnen omedetō gozaimasu!
Happy New Year! (formal)
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明けましておめでとう！
おけまして おめでとう！
Akemashite omedetō!
Happy New Year! (casual)
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Let’s review how to apologize again. The easiest way to apologize in Japanese is to say…
すみません！
すみません！
Sumimasen!
Excuse me!
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Or in a more casual way…
御免なさい！
ごめん なさい！
Gomennasai!
Excuse me!
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You could also say…
お気の毒に！
おきのどく に！
Okinodoku ni!
I'm sorry to hear that!
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A very polite, but less common way of apologizing in Japan is to say…
お許しください！
おゆるし ください！
Oyurushi kudasai!
I ask/plead for your forgiveness!
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If someone stepped on your toes and apologized you might want to say…
大丈夫です！
だいじょうぶ です！
Daijyōbu desu!
I am okay!
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That’s it for today’s lesson.
If you want more lessons on Japanese salutations then I recommend that you check out the following:
- Using polite Japanese words will help in your travels.
- Saying sorry in Japanese.
- Being able to say Thank you in Japanese is essential for a great Japanese experience!
Yoku dekimashita!
Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese
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