Set Phrases

Said before eating as an expression of gratitude - toward the person who prepared the food, the ingredients, and nature. There is no direct English equivalent. Do not confuse with いただきます as a humble verb (to receive/eat) in kenjougo.

Said after finishing a meal. Pairs with いただきます. Also said to the restaurant staff when leaving.

Said when leaving home. Implies you will return. The listener responds with 行ってらっしゃい.

The response to 行ってきます. Said by the person staying behind to the person leaving.

Said upon returning home. The listener responds with おかえりなさい.

The response to ただいま. The casual form is おかえり.

Used when entering someone's home or workspace.

Used when leaving someone's home or workspace.

Used when reconnecting with someone after a long period of no contact. Often appears at the start of emails or letters. The casual equivalent is 久しぶり.

Casual equivalent is 久しぶり. The formal equivalent for written contexts is ご無沙汰しております.

Used for birthdays, new year, graduation, marriage, and other celebratory occasions. The casual form is おめでとう.

Said at the end of the year before New Year's. The full form is よいお年をお迎えください but it is almost always shortened.

Said at the start of the new year, typically until around January 15th. Often followed by 今年もよろしくお願いします.

Used downward only - from a superior to a subordinate. Using it toward a peer or superior is considered rude. When in doubt, use お疲れ様です instead, which is safe in all directions.

Can be used toward peers, superiors, and subordinates. Safe in all directions. Do not confuse with ご苦労様, which is downward only.

Best used between peers or when speaking to someone of lower status. Avoid using this toward superiors as it can come across as presumptuous.

Past tense of お世話になっております. Used when leaving a job, ending a long business relationship, or wrapping up a project. More final in tone than the present form.

Used to tell someone to feel free and not hold back. Often follows どうぞ - as in どうぞ遠慮なく.

A common back-channel response showing understanding. Be careful using it toward superiors as some consider it too casual - そうですか or おっしゃる通りです are safer in formal contexts.

Also commonly said as しょうがない in casual speech. Expresses resignation or acceptance of an unavoidable situation.

Expresses regret over wasting something of value - food, money, talent, or opportunity. The concept has no direct English equivalent.

Ambiguous - can also mean 'Yes, that's fine' depending on context and tone. Pay attention to the situation.

Ambiguous - can also be an affirmative 'I'm fine (yes)' depending on context. Pay attention to the situation.

Said when presenting a gift in Japanese culture as an act of humility, regardless of the actual value of the gift. Using it is a sign of good manners rather than a literal description.