Japanese Langugae Lesson 1:

When you meet or leave someone

Hello.

Konnichiwa.

Pronounce "n" and "ni" separately. It's like "kon-nichiwa".

Good morning.

Ohay gozaimasu.

The last vowel "u" is not pronounced ly. It's like "gozaimas".
Informal: Ohay.
Good evening.

Konbanwa.

Used at the beginning of the conversation, not at the end.

Good night.

Oyasuminasai.

Informal: Oyasumi.
Goodbye.

Saynara.

In general, used when people will not see each other for some time.
Informal: Sayonara. (short "o" after y).
See you.

Dewa mata.

See you tomorrow.

Dewa mata ashita.

See you next week.

Dewa mata raish.

dewa: well, now or so

mata: again
When you thank or apologize to someone
Thank you.

Arigat gozaimasu.

Thank you very much.

Dmo arigat gozaimasu.

Thank you. (past)

Arigat gozaimashita.

Thanks.

Dmo.

The last vowel "u" is not pronounced ly. gozaimas(u).

Dmo arigat gozaimasu.: To emphasize.
Arigat gozaimashita.: To thank for something in the past.
Dmo.: To thank for a small favor.
Informal: Arigat.
You're welcome.

Ditashimashite.

Don't mention it.

Iie.

Iie. (literally means "No.") also can be used with the rising accent if it's not a big deal.
Excuse me.

Sumimasen.

Yes.

Hai.

Used when you talk to someone, and to apologize for small faults (Sorry.).
Hai. (Yes.) can be used to answer someone's call.
I'm sorry.

Gomennasai.

I'm sorry.

Dmo sumimasen.

Don't be sorry.

Iie.

Dmo sumimasen. is also used. It sounds more polite.

As a response, Iie. can be used if it's not a big deal.
When you start or finish eating
(before eating)

Itadakimasu.

Literally means "I accept (the food)". Used when you start eating as a signal "Let's start".
You can say this to the person who is treating you the meal.
(after eating)

Gochissamadeshita.

Literally means "It was a wonderful feast". Used when you finished eating.
You can say this to thank the person who treated you the meal.
Basic Rules
How to address a person
In general, add "san" after one's family name.
"san" is like Mr., Mrs., or Miss..
For example, Mr. Tanaka is Tanaka-san. But for foreigners (westerners), people add san after the first names such as
Paul-san or Kate-san.
Except for the close relationships, people address almost anybody with san.
Hello, Mr. Tanaka.

Tanaka-san, konnichiwa.

Yes and No
Yes is "hai". No is "iie".
As shown above, Hai. and Iie. can be used in the different contexts
Lesson 2:
How are you?
Are you well?

Ogenki desuka?

Yes, I'm well.

Hai, genki desu.

No, I'm not well.

Iie, genki dewa (ja) arimasen..

Yes, I'm very well.

Hai, totemo genki desu.

So so.

Mm desu.

genki: well
"o" in front of genki is a prefix which makes the word more polite.
Genki desu.: I'm well.
Genki dewa (ja) arimasen.: I'm not well.
"ja arimasen" sounds more casual, and is used more in daily conversation.
Informal: Genki?