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:
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!
Great job!
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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!
Stay healthy!
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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.
Good luck.
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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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おめでとうございます！
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!
Irasshai!
Welcome!
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!
Happy 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！
Fukkatsusai 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!
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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!
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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! / Sorry!
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Or in a more casual way:
ごめんなさい！
ごめんなさい！
Gomennasai!
Sorry!
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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 formal, 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 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！
Daijōbu desu!
It is 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!
よく できました！ (Yoku dekimashita!) "Well done!"
Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese
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