丁寧な表現ていねいなひょうげん — Politeness

Rōmaji

Kana

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Hover over or tap a phrase to hear it. Kana and rōmaji are reading aids. A macron, as in ō or ū, marks a long vowel.

Basic politeness

ありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.

Thank you. Polite; a good everyday choice.

どうもありがとうございます。Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.

Thank you very much. Polite and more emphatic.

ありがとう。Arigatō.

Thanks. Casual; used with friends and family.

ありがとうございました。Arigatō gozaimashita.

Thank you. Polite; used for help or a service that has been completed.

お願いします。おねがいします。Onegai shimasu.

Please. A polite request when what you want is understood, such as after naming an item.

どうぞ。Dōzo.

Please, go ahead. / Here you are. Used when offering something or inviting someone to act.

すみません。Sumimasen.

Excuse me. / I’m sorry. Polite; used to get attention or apologize for a small inconvenience.

すみませんでした。Sumimasen deshita.

I’m sorry about that. Polite; an apology for something that already happened.

ごめんね。Gomen ne.

Sorry. Casual and familiar; used with friends or family.

ごめんなさい。Gomen nasai.

I’m sorry. A direct personal apology; less suitable than すみません in formal or business situations.

申し訳ありません。もうしわけありません。Mōshiwake arimasen.

I’m very sorry. Formal; used for a mistake or inconvenience that needs a more serious apology.

大丈夫です。だいじょうぶです。Daijōbu desu.

It’s OK. / I’m fine. Polite reassurance; it can also decline an offer, depending on context.

気にしないでください。きにしないでください。Ki ni shinaide kudasai.

Please don’t worry about it. Polite reassurance after an apology.

もちろんです。Mochiron desu.

Of course. A polite affirmative reply.

どういたしまして。Dō itashimashite.

You’re welcome. A standard response to thanks, though in everyday speech it can sound stiff or textbook-like; いえいえ is often more natural.

いえいえ。Ie ie.

Not at all. A modest, conversational response to thanks or an apology.

いただきます。Itadakimasu.

Said just before eating or drinking, to show thanks for the food. There is no exact English equivalent.

ごちそうさまでした。Gochisōsama deshita.

Thank you for the meal. Said after eating, to the host or cook, or to staff when leaving a restaurant; ごちそうさま is the more casual form.

お邪魔します。おじゃまします。Ojama shimasu.

Sorry to intrude. Said when entering someone else’s home or room; when leaving, say お邪魔しました.