Phrases

Hello / Good afternoon

こんにちは

Kon-ni-chi-wa

Standard daytime greeting, works in almost all situations

Good morning

おはようございます

O-ha-yō go-za-i-ma-su

Formal good morning. "Ohayou" alone is casual

Good evening

こんばんは

Kon-ban-wa

Goodbye

さようなら

Sa-yō-na-ra

Formal farewell; "jaa ne" is more casual among friends

Thank you very much

ありがとうございます

A-ri-ga-tō go-za-i-ma-su

The most important phrase you can learn. Use it often.

Excuse me / Sorry

すみません

Su-mi-ma-sen

Use to get attention, apologize, or excuse yourself — extremely versatile