This document provides an overview of common greetings, words, and grammar structures in Japanese. It summarizes greetings like "ohayou gozaimasu" for good morning and "konnichiwa" for hello. Common phrases like "ogenki desu ka" to ask how someone is and "arigatou gozaimasu" to say thank you are explained. Basic grammar for showing possession with particles like "no" is covered. The document concludes with an example dialogue that demonstrates a formal self-introduction in Japanese.

1. Basics of the
Japanese Language
Lunch-time sessions at PCC
By Peter Missen
Session 2
Greetings

2. Previous session
Any questions about the previous session?
Any items to share?

3. Recap of previous session
watashi wa “name” desu.
kore/sore/are wa “thing” desu.
kore/sore/are wa nan desu ka.

4. Objectives for this session
Common greetings
– Openings
– Closings
– Politeness
A few common words
Grammar to show possession
Formal introduction of yourself

5. Common Greetings
ohayou gozaimasu – Good morning
お早うございます。
(kanji: early)
ohayou – Morning
お早う。

6. Common Greetings
konnichiwa – Good afternoon/general hello
今日は。 (2 kanji: now +
day.)
Often written in hiragana only こんにち
は

7. Common Greetings
konbanwa - Good evening
今晩は。
(2 kanji: now + evening.)
Often written in hiragana only
こんばんは

8. Common Greetings
moshi moshi - Hello
(used on the phone to answer a call)
申 申
(kanji: say/talk about/tell)

9. Common opener
ogenki desu ka. - How are you?
お元気ですか。
o- shows honour
genki
(2 kanji: source/cause + feelings/spirit)

10. Common reply
hai, genki desu. - I am fine.
はい、元気です。
hai = yes.

11. Common Closings
oyasumi nasai. - Good night
お休みなさい。
(kanji: sleep/rest/holiday)
sayounara. - Good bye
さようなら。

12. Common Closings
dewa mata/ja mata. - See you
ではまた／じゃまた。
(dewa is more polite than ja)
again the ha hiragana is used for wa.

13. Common politeness
doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.
どうも有り難うございます。
(2 kanji: happen + difficult/tough)
doumo/arigatou. - Thanks

14. Common politeness
douitashimashite.
You're welcome
どういたしまして。

15. Common politeness
gomen nasai. – Sorry
御免なさい。
(2kanji: honorific + exempt)
shitsurei shimasu. - Excuse me (I'm sorry)
失礼します。
(2kanji: lose + gratitude)

16. Common politeness
sumimasen.
Excuse me
済みません。
(kanji: finish/end/conclude/settle)

17. Common words
kampai. = Cheers (when drinking).
かんぱい
hai = yes
はい
iie = no
いいえ

18. Grammar - possession particle
watashi no namae wa pi-ta- desu. My name is Peter.
私の名前はピーターです
。
Now, let's break that sentence up...
watashi = me
no = possession (’s in English)
namae = name (2 kanji: name + before)
wa = topic marker
pi-ta- = Peter (using katakana sounds)
desu = is/are/am (used at the end of a sentence)

19. Grammar - possession
anata no onamae wa nan desu ka.
What is your name?
あなたのお名前は何ですか。
anata = you
onamae = honorable name
(o before the word shows honour)

20. Formal greeting “sandwich”
hajimemashite - How do you do?
(Said the first time you meet someone)
はじめまして。
blah blah blah – information about yourself.
douzo yoroshiku - Nice to meet you.
どうぞよろしく。

21. Example “sandwich” in ro-maji
hajimemashite.
[watashi wa] pi-ta- desu. [ ] words are
optional
igirisu jin desu.
PCC no shain desu.

22. Example “sandwich” translations
igirisu = English in katakana
jin = person
no = possession (“of” if read backwards)
shain = company worker
(2 kanji: company + member)

23. Example in Japanese script
はじめまして。 (How do you do? )
[ 私は ] ピーターです。 (I am Peter)
イギリス人です。 (I am English)
ピ ・シ ・シの社員です。 (I am a PCC worker)
どうぞよろしく。 (Nice to meet you)

24. Homework
Nothing compulsory
Suggestions
– Work on your personal greeting “sandwich”
– Or make up a character from another country
Check out the Communities of Practice site
You should have had an invitation…
Any questions ????