12 Everyday Japanese Greetings without English Equivalents
Daily greetings; there’s the “ohayo”(good morning), “konnichiwa” (hello)… such standard types of greetings or similar vocabulary exist in any culture. However, there are some greetings that are so specific to the Japanese culture that it’s difficult to find vocabulary to serve as a direct translation of those expressions. In this article, we introduce you to such greeting words, when to use them and how the Japanese have come to use it!
The meaning of Itadakimasu comes from “itadaku” which originates from the humble way of saying “to eat” or “to receive”.
The word is said before consuming food to express gratitude toward the ingredients in each dish. There is a thought that everything has life, not only meat and fish, but vegetables and fruit as well. Therefore, the word shows thanks for something having to “sacrifice their life in order to make my life possible.”
Secondly, the word shows gratitude toward all those who made consuming the meal possible. Those who made the meal, those who served it, those who produced the vegetables, caught the fish… it is an expression to say thank you to all those who were involved in allowing you to consume the dish in front of you. Related: 13 Need-to-know Basics of Chopstick Etiquette for Japanese Restaurants
2. Gochisosama, Gochisosamadeshita
Gochiso means a sumptuous feast, and it also holds a meaning of “hosting” this meal. Back in the day when there were no refrigerators or supermarkets, in order to serve a sumptuous feast for a guest, many people had to run around to get all the ingredients and get everything prepared.
Gochisosama, an expression to say “what a sumptuous feast that was!” shows thanks toward all those who worked to prepare the meal.
3. Osewa ni natteimasu
4. Ojyama shimasu, Ojyama shimashita
These are phrases that mean “sorry for intruding”. Ojyamashimasu is said when you step into someone’s home, and Ojyamashimashita is said when your visit is over and you depart. FYI, in Japan, you take off your shoes to enter someone’s home. Be sure you kneel down and neatly place your shoes side-by-side with the toes facing toward the entrance (outside) before you enter the house, this is considered common etiquette!
This is said to someone that is leaving, in response to their saying “Ittekimasu”.
“Itte (to go)” and “irasshai (welcome)” together in this one word expresses the feelings of the ones left behind; go and come back safely.
This is said when you return back somewhere.
Tadaima means “just now”. This phrase expresses that “I’m sorry for being absent for so long, I have just now returned.”
The phrase “okaerinasai” said to welcome someone back, is said in response to “tadaima”. Okaerinasai expresses a wish or longing for someone to return. Saying this phrase means that the speaker was hoping for the return of someone up until the moment they returned and said “tadaima”.
9. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu
If it is someone that you meet new, it means “it is a pleasure to meet you”. If you say this to someone you are meeting new at work, it can mean “I look forward to working with you.”
If this is said when someone asks you to do something, it can mean “I thank you in advance for doing what I asked you to do”. Or it can also mean “I trust you are going to handle this well.”
10. Otsukaresama/ Otsukaresama desu
It can also be said in place of “Kanpai (cheers)” when you have a drink with colleagues. Related: Warikan: Going Dutch Japanese Style
This is “soredewa (and so…) ” changed into “deha” into “jya”. What it essentially means is “And so we shall meet again another time.”, which became shorter and shorter from “Soredewa matane” to “Sore jyane” to “Jyane”.
These 12 are phrases and words that you will use for sure if you start life in Japan. There’s the ittekimasu, itadakimasu that you may use with your host family if you try the home-stay experience and there’s the Osewa ni narimasu, if you decide to work in Japan. If you can learn these so that you can say them naturally, it is sure to make your life in Japan easier!
Jyane! Hope to see you soon!