11 Essential Formal Japanese Greetings

If you have ever been to Japan, you have surely seen Japanese people bowing politely and greeting each other. Of course, this is because they respect the other person and use polite words. Another reason is that Japanese people use formal greetings when they meet someone for the first time, that is, someone who is still distant from them. Today, I would like to focus on formal Japanese greetings that we use throughout the day. I’ll also include audio so you can practice!

Japanese Formal Greeting list

First, take a look at this list.　These are the 11 essential formal greetings. Detailed explanations and model conversations for each will follow.

Greetings for thank you and apologize.

Sumimasen (すみません)

Sumimasen (すみません) is probably one of the greetings that best describes Japanese people.

We use it to apologize, which is the same as excuse me, and also to say thank you. In the latter case, we say how we feel: I’m sorry you had to go through all this trouble for me. But thank you. This is a very good representation of the Japanese spirit which is that　“I don’t want to disturb anybody.”

Dōzo (どうぞ)

We will use when you want to give up your seat on the bus, when you want to ask someone to go ahead of you, or when you want to hand something over. If you repeat the phrase ” Dōzo Dōzo (どうぞ, どうぞ)” , it means you are encouraging them.

Arigatō gozai masu (ありがとうございます)

Arigatō gozai masu (ありがとうございます) is used to appreciation for something “Thank you”. if it is casual, we will say “ Arigatou (ありがとう)“.

Model conversation<1>

Situation: The old woman came into the bus. You want to give your seat to her.
A: You, B: the old woman

A : Anō,Sumimasen. Dōzo. (あのう、すみません。どうぞ)
B : Sumimasen. Arigatōgozaimasu. (すみません。ありがとうございます。)
A : Iie. (いいえ。)

A : Ah, excuse me. Please (have a seat).
B :  Thank you. Thank you.
A : No problem.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu (よろしくおねがいします)

The phrase “よろしくおねがいします(yoroshiku onegai shimasu)” is often used in a variety of situations. One is to say to someone you meet for the first time, we have a meaning “Please get along with me from now on.

The other is in situations where you are asking someone to do something for you. Since you are making a request, it is polite to add the words “よろしくおねがいします<Thank you in advance>”.

Model conversation<2>

Situation: When you met someone first time, you introduce yourself.
A: アレックスさん, B: すずきさん

A : Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Alex desu. (はじめまして。わたしは Alex です。)
B : Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Suzuki desu. (はじめまして。わたしは　鈴木です。)
     Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.(よろしく　おねがいします。)

A :Nice to meet you. I’m Alex.
B :Nice to meet you too. I am Suzuki. 
     I'm looking forward to knowing you.

Model conversation<3>

Situation: Greetings when making a request to someone

A : Kaigi no shiryou o okurimasu. Kakunin shite kudasai.
    (かいぎ　の　しりょう　を　おくります。かくにん　してください。)
     Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
    (よろしく　おねがいします。)

A :  I will send you the materials for the meeting. Please confirm. 
      Thank you in advance.

Greetings for meals

Itadaki masu (いただきます)

This is the greeting you say before a meal. It includes gratitude to the person who cooked the food and gratitude to the food itself, such as animals and vegetables. Observe Japanese people in restaurants. Even when we eat alone, we say ” Itadakimasu(いただきます)” in a low voice before we start eating.

Gochisō sama deshita (ごちそうさまでした)

A greeting said after a meal. When you have eaten at a restaurant, you often say ” Gochisō sama deshita (ごちそうさまでした)” to the waiter and leave the restaurant. Also, when someone treats us to a meal, we always say ” Gochisō sama deshita (ごちそうさまでした)” to that person after he or she has paid.

Practice!

Let’s just use Japanese formal greetings! When you’re on vacation, in a Japanese restaurant, or see a Japanese person in your town… When you upload a Japanese dish on social media, try to include ” Itadakimasu(いただきます)” in your comment!