Konnichi Wa! Welcome to Lewna's Japanese Lesson! Every Saturday will feature a new lesson, and every now and then interesting essays pertaining to Japan and it's people and culture. These lessons will move at an easy to learn pace, and is ideal for beginners. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, feel free to pm me!
Konnichi Wa Mina! Welcome to Lesson 2.
These are important phrases to know, as it shows politeness and respect, a big deal in Japan. Let us begin:
Arigatou (gozaimasu): Thank you
Arigatou gozaimasu is the polite version.
Domo Arigatou (Gozaimasu): Thank you very much
Domo: Thanks!
This is used as a quick thanks and usually used with friends.
Do itashimashite: You're welcome.
(Chotto) o-negai shimasu: Please(help me a little)
________ o-negai shimasu: Please give me ___ or Please do ____ for me.
Dozo: Please feel free
This can also mean or be used as "Please accept this" and "Here is what you asked for" It is sometimes used to invite someone into your house or office, meaning "please feel free to come in".
_______ o dozo: Here is some/a __ for you.
This can also mean "Have some_____"
_____ wa?: How about some ___?
Okamai naku: Don't bother/ Dont go to any trouble.
When visiting someones house, it is normal to refuse and foor or beverage offered to you. When offered you would say Okamai Naku. They will ask you again, and then you can accept. If you really dont want what they offer, accept anyways, and try a little bit. If it is because of health reasons that you cannot eat or drink it, accept it and leave it untouched. If you live with the family, you can refuse with the phrase Iie, kekko desu; which translates into something like, No, I am fine.
Sumimasen: I'm sorry
When you are with frends, sumimasen is used as a regular sorry, however when you are using it in a formal situation, it's meant to be used as "Im sorry for making you go through all the trouble." or "thank you for the unexpected favor" There will be alot of situations where you will use what is called a negative to reply. Though you are saying sorry, you are using it in a polite positive way.
Iie: No
This is also used as a polite way of saying "it's nothing". It is used as a response to Sumimasen. So basically you would say "Sumimasen"-Sorry to make you go through the trouble" and they would say " Iie"-"It's nothing".
Hai/ Ee: Yes
Dewa, itadakimasu: Well then, I accept.
Used after the Sumimasen - Iie part. In anime, you will also see that they say Itadakimasu! right before eating a meal. When used in this way, it basically translates into "Thank you for the food/meal!' And is normally said at home or with friends.
Thats all for Lesson 2! Next lesson will be about introductions. I will also be posting conversation practices here and there, to help you see the situations or ways these phrases are used. Until then!
Mata Ne!
Lewna Sensei
Welcome to Lesson 1: Basic greetings and farewells! While most of us already know these, I wanted to start at the very beginning, for anyone who might have just decided to learn or is new to the anime world. Well, Let us begin!
There are certain greetings used at certain times of the day. The main three are as follows:
Ohayo(Gozaimasu):Good Morning
Used in the morning until around 10 am. Ohayo is the informal version, and can be used with friends or family. Ohayo Gozaimasu is the more polite version and what you would use with a teacher, co-worker, aquaintance, etc.
Konnichi Wa: Good Afternoon/Hello
This is used for the main part of the day and until the evening. It is also used as a simple Hello.
Konban Wa: Good Evening
This used in the evening and usually in the night too, however, when used in the night, it is not the same as the goodnight that we use in America. When we say good night, it is usually used as a farewell.
Oyasumi(Oyasuminasai): Good Night
When using this farewell, it is the type of "good night" that we say right before going to bed. Oyasumi would be something you would day to your brother or sister, or really close relatives. Oyasuminasai is the more polite form, and is used with your parents, aunts uncles, and other relatives that you want to show respect too.
Ja Ne/Ja na: Bye!
This can be seen as a sort of slang or a very friendly Bye! It is used with friends and close relatives. There is an importance between Ja Ne & Ja ne that you should make note of. Females are more likely to use Ja ne, while males use Ja na. If a male should use Ja ne. the male is viewed as one who is homosexual.
Therefore, males should use Ja na, unless they publicly wish to announce their gender preference.
Mata Ne/ Mata Na: Until again..
Again, the same rule applies with the male/female aspect as written with Ja Ne/Na. Mata Ne/Na is basically translated into Until we meet again.. Our english equivalent would probably be See ya later! It is also used in an informal way.
Mata Ashita: See You Tomorrow
Literal meaning is Again Tomorrow, with mata meaning again, and ashita meaning tomorrow. In english, the equivalent means See you tomorrow. It is mostly used in informal situations, with a few exceptions, like teachers or co-workers.
Ki O Tsukete: Take Care
Somewhat informal...this is the equivalent to Take Care in english.
Kore de Shitsurei Shimasu: I am Leaving
This is the formal way of saying goodbye. It translates in to "I am going (to be rude) and leave now." It is basically announcing that you are going to leave their presence or that you are going to leave before they do.
Itte Kimasu/Itte Mairimasu: Im going and coming.
Itte Kimasu really doesnt have an english equivalent. It is used as a farewell when you are leaving the house, meaning you are leaving home, but will return later. Itte Mairimasu is the formal version, and something you would use with a grandparent or any relatives you wish to show respect to.
Itte Irasshai: Please go and come back
Again, no equivalent. This is the response given to Itte Kimasu/Mairimasu.
Sayonara: Farewell
Sayonara in America is known to mean goodbye, however, this is not the case in Japan. Sayonara is used as a farewell when you are not going to see someone for a long time, such as you are going to go on vacation or are moving away. There really is no other instance where Sayonara would be used. Therefore, I have translated it as Farewell.
Well, that is all for this weeks lessons. I hope you enjoyed them and learned something new. Mata Ne!
Lewna Sensei
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