Japanese polite expressions

In Japan, being polite isn’t just “good manners,” it’s almost an art form. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be an 18th-century samurai. With these Japanese courtesy expressions, you’ll open doors (and hearts) anywhere—from a ramen shop to the Shibuya crossing.

The “Hello” That Works for Everything

In English we have “good morning,” “good afternoon,” and “good evening.” Japanese has them too, but with a couple of tricks:

Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます): Used in the morning. If you’re very close with someone, you can just say Ohayou, but if you’re just starting out, always add gozaimasu so you don’t sound too forward.

Konnichiwa (こんにちは): The standard one. It works from midday until the sun goes down. It’s the “hello” you probably already know.

Konbanwa (こんばんは): “Good evening,” but only for greeting when you arrive somewhere or see someone at night.

The Magic Wildcard: Sumimasen

If you could only learn one word in Japanese, it would have to be this one. It’s the “Swiss army knife” of words—it works for everything.

What does it mean? “Excuse me,” “Sorry,” “I’m sorry,” or even “Thank you” (when you feel you’ve caused someone trouble by helping you).

When should you use it? To call a waiter in a restaurant, to ask for space on the subway, or if you accidentally step on someone.

Pro tip: If you say it a bit quickly, it sounds like S’mimasen. Use it like that and you’ll sound like a local!

Greetings That Make You Shine

Don’t just show up saying “Hello.” Depending on the time of day, Japanese switches gears. Here’s your survival table:

The Art of Saying Thanks (and Responding)

You probably know Arigatou, but let’s give it that elegant touch we’re aiming for.

Arigatou gozaimasu: The formal “Thank you very much.” Use it with strangers, bosses, or older people.

Douzo: Means “Go ahead” or “Here you are.” It’s used when letting someone pass or handing something over.

Dou itashimashite: Means “You’re welcome.” It’s a bit long, but it sounds super polished!

Interesting Facts About Expressing Politeness in Japanese

Why Do They Bow So Much?

You’ve probably seen in movies or series that Japanese people bow when speaking. This is called Ojigi. No need to touch the ground with your forehead—don’t worry!

For beginners, a slight nod while saying “Sumimasen” or “Arigatou” is more than enough. It shows that you respect the other person’s space and time. It’s a beautiful gesture!

For Politeness, Don’t Use the Word “You”

Did you know that in Japanese, the word “you” is hardly used? Saying Anata (you) can sound a bit aggressive or too direct.

Friendly tip: The most polite way is to address someone by their last name + san. For example, if you’re speaking with Mr. Tanaka, you’d say: “Would Tanaka-san like some coffee?” instead of “Do you want coffee?”. The suffix -san is like our “Mr./Ms.” but much more common and relaxed.

Two Phrases to Take On the World

In Japan, food is sacred. Before and after eating, these two phrases are always (always!) said:

1. Itadakimasu: Said before eating. It’s like “I humbly receive this food with gratitude.”
2. Gochisousama deshita: Said after finishing. It’s used to thank the cook or nature for the meal.

What do you think? At first they may seem like long words, but once you start using them, you’ll see they have a very catchy rhythm.

Exercises on polite expressions in Japanese