*Note: Translation are below.

(1) a : Hajimemashite. (Watashi wa) Honda desu. Dozo yoroshiku.
        : Watashi wa Nihon-jin desu. Watashi wa kaishain desu.        
        ( ) denotes optional words.

(2) a : Anata wa Aren-san desu ka.
     b : Hai, watashi wa Aren desu.
     a : Anata wa Igirisu-jin desu ka.
     b : Iie, watashi wa Igirisu-jin dewa arimasen.
         : Amerika-jin desu.
     a : Anata wa gakusei desu ka, sensei desu ka.
     b : Watashi wa gakusei desu.

(3) a : Ano hito wa Ken-san desu ka.
     b : Iie, ano hito wa Ken-san dewa arimasen.
     a : Ano hito wa dare desu ka.
     b : Mita-san desu.

(4) a : Ano kata wa donata desu ka.
     b : Kimu-san desu.
     a : Kimu-san wa Nihon-jin desu ka.
     b : Iie, Chugoku-jin desu.

(5) a : Anata-gata wa kaishain desu ka.
     b : Iie, so dewa arimasen. Watashi-tachi wa gakusei desu.

Translation

(1) a : How do you do ? (1) am Honda. Nice to meet you.
         : I am a Japanese. I am a company staff.

(2) a : Are you Mr.Alan ?
      b : Yes, I am Alan.
      a : Are you a British ?
      b : No, I am not a British.
         : (I) am a American.
       a : Are you a student or a teacher ?
       b : I am a student.

(3) a : Is that person over there Mr.Ken ?
     b : No, that person over there is not Mr.Ken.
     a : Who is that person over there?
     b : Mr. Mita.

(4) a : Who is that person over there?
     b : Ms. Kim.
     a : Is Ms. Kim a Japanese ?
     b : No, (she) is a Chinese.

(5) a : are all of you company staff ?
    b : No, that is not right. We are student.

Vocabulary

desu  (is,am,are)
watashi  ( I )
watashi-tachi (We)
anata (you)
anata-gata (all of you)
Igirisu-jin (British)
Nihon-jin (Japanese)
Amerika-jin (American)
Chugoku-jin (Chinese)
gakusei (student)
sensei (teacher)
kaishain (company,staff,clerk)
dare (who)
donata (who -> more polite)

kono hito (this person)
sono hito (that person)
ano hito (that person over there)
"kata" can be used to replaced "hito" for a more polite expression.

Honda (a Japanese surname)
Mita (a Japanese surname)
Aren (Alan / a man's name)
Ken (Ken / a man's name)
Kimu (Kim / a lady's name)
Hajimemashite (How do you do ? / for first meeting)
Dozo yoroshiku (Nice to meet you)
so desu (that's right, it's so)
so dewa arimasen (that's not right, it's not so)

Structure

(1) [ Subject wa Noun desu ]
   
      Subject       Noun
      Watashi wa Ken      desu.                 (I am Ken.)
      Anata    wa gakusei desu ka.             (Are you a student?)
     Ken-san wa Indo-jin dewa arimasen. (Mr. Ken is not an Indian.)
                                     [ja arimasen]
         
desu --> "desu" is like "verb-to-be" in English, or rather the "is/are/am".

ka --> "ka" is added at the end of a sentence to convert the sentence into a question form. "ka" is needed
            even in sentences with interrogative words like "what", "where" etc.

dewa arimasen --> A negative form of "desu". Sometimes it is replaced by "ja arimasen" which is more
                             casual. It's Hiragana writing is "deha" but it is pronounced as "dewa".

wa --> "wa" is a particle used after a subject. "wa" is followed by a topic relating to that subject. It's
            Hiragana writing is "ha" but it is pronounced as "wa".

(2) [who --- dare / donata]

Ano hito wa dare desu ka.  (Who is that person over there?)
Ano hito wa Ken-san desu. (That person over there is Mr. Ken.)

Ano kata wa donata desu ka. (Who is that person over there?)
Ano kata wa Ken-san desu.   (That person over there is Mr. Ken.)

(3) [ or ]

Ken-san wa [ sensei ] desu ka, [gakusei] desu ka.
Is Mr. Ken [a teacher] or [a student] ?

(4) [hai & iie ]

"Hai" and "Iie" are generally of the same meanings with English "yes" & "no" respectively. However,there is some difference when answering question which are asked in negative forms.

A : Anata wa Nihon-jin dewa arimasen ka.
     ( Aren't you a Japanese ? )
B : Hai, watashi wa Nihon-jin dewa arimasen.
     ( Yes, [that'ts right] I am not a Japanese.)
B : Iie, watashi wa Nihon-jin desu.
     ( No, [that's wrong] I am Japanese.)

(5) [san]

"san" is used behind a person's surname or name as a formal or polite way  of addressing the person. "san" is applicable to both males and females.

"Mita-san" may mean Mr. / Miss / Mrs. / Madam / Ms. Mita.

Normally, we do not use "san" behind our own names and surnames.

Sometimes, "san" is placed behind the name of an occupation or a business like :
Pan-ya (bakery,baker)
Pan-ya san (bakery, Mr. / Ms. baker)

(6) [ Jin --- person ]

When the Kanji "人" is pronounced as "jin", it cannot be used as an word :

(1) Chugoku       ( China )
      Chugoku-jin ( Chinese )

(2) Indo       ( India )
      Indo-jin ( Indian )

Other ways of using "jin" may be :

geino      ( entertainment )
geino-jin ( entertainer )

Konbanwa

In Hiragana, "わ" (wa)  is used when it forms part of a word and "は" (wa) is used as a particle, which is to mark a topic. "Konbanwa" is written as "こんばんは". This is because "Konban" might have been used as a subject meaning "tonight" followed by a predicate to become a full sentence. "は" (wa) in this case is a particle.The full sentence might perhaps sound something like this :

            Konban wa ii yoru desu ne.
            ( Tonight is a nice evening, isn't it ? )

A sentence like the above could then be shortened  to "Konbanwa" and used as a greeting meaning "Good Evening". Another similar case is "Konnichiwa" ( Good Afternoon ).

Exercise for this i post it in fb page so find it in "Links" and try answer them. ^^ Gambari masho? (Work hard,okay? )

Hi~ My name is Mirai. I'm here helping you on learning japanese~ My program does not need to paid because i just wanted to help not earn :) So,Let's start >3< We have 33 lesson & we start with the first one.By the way,my lesson here teaching you about speaking in Japanese only but i will work hard to do a writing japanese lesson too.

Lesson 1 [Saying hello]
1. Ohayo (Good Morning)
    Ohayo gozaimasu (Good Morning -> more polite)
"Ohayo" is a short and an informal form of "ohayo gozaimasu".The latter is a polite form used when speaking to superiors or in formal occasions.

2. Konnichiwa (Good Afternoon / Hello)
    "Hello" in Japanese is "Haro" :) but we don't usually say that,we often use "Konnichiwa"

3. Konbanwa (Good Evening)

4. Oyasumi nasai (Good Night)

5. Sayonara (Good-bye)
    For students,we don't use "Sayonara" to say bye bye but we use "Ja-ne"

6. Irasshaimase (Welcome -> to visitors)

7. Sumimasen (Excuse me / sorry)

8. Gomen nasai (sorry / forgive me / excuse me)

9. Arigato (thank you)
    Arigato gozaimasu (thank you -> more polite)
"Arigato" is a short form and an informal form of "Arigato gozaimasu". "Arigato gozaimasu" is a polite form used when speaking to superiors or in formal occasions.
    Arigato gozaimashita
"Arigato gozaimasu" is used to thank someone for a favor which is not done yet or at the moment when the favor is received. "Arigato gozaimashita" is used to thank someone after the favor is done, or perhaps some time later.

10. Do itashimashite (You are welcome -- in response to "thank you")

11. a: Itte kimasu (i will go and come back)
To be said traditionally by members who leave home.
      b:Itte rasshai (Please go and come back)
To be said traditionally to members who leave home.

12. a: Tadaima (I am home)
To be said traditionally by members who arrive home.
      b: Okaeri-nasai (Welcome home)
To be said traditionally to members who arrive home.

13. Itadakimasu (I shall receive it now)
To be said traditionally before eating or drinking something.

14. Gochisosama deshita. (Thank you.I really enjoyed the meal)
To be said traditionally to express thankfulness after a meal or a drink.

15. a:O-genki desu ka. (How are you?)
      b"Genki desu. Arigato gozaimasu. (I am fine. Thank you.)
Japanese usually do not say "O-genki desu ka" as a greeting unless they meet someone whom they have not seen for quite some time or who has been sick.

16. Domo
"Domo" is a flexible word. Generally it means thank you,hello or sorry.Sometimes it is used alone when it is understood to the listener what the speaker wants to say. It can be followed by certain words mean "very much". Example:
Domo arigato (Thank you very much)
Domo sumimasen ( I am very sorry)

Ojigi (Bowing)

 It is well-known that Japanese bow to each other when they meet. Normally the person who is of lower rank takes the initiative to bow first.

 To do a formal bow, you should firstly stand straight and face the person directly.
Usually greetings like "Hajimemashite" meaning "How do you do" are said when you are about to bow.
Before you bow, keep your legs straight and heels close to each other. Hold both arms close to both sides of your body, with your fingers close to each other. As you bow up to about 45 degree, keep your eye level at that person's shoes. If you are a man, your both arms remain close on both sides of your body when you bow. However, if you are a lady, you should move both arms inward with both hands staying on your laps. A casual bow is between 15 degree and 25 degree.

 "Ojigi" or bowing is not only used for greetings,it can also be used to express thankfulness and apologies.

That's all from me for today ^^ see you guys next time.


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Labels: Introduction

*Note : Translation is below.

(1) a : Asoko wa jimusho desu ka.
     b : Iie, asoko wa jimusho dewa arimasen.
        : Kaigishitsu desu.
     a : Soko wa nan desu ka.
     b : Soko wa kyoshitsu desu.

(2) a : Koko wa doko desu ka.
     b : Shibuya desu.

(3) a : Tokyo-eki wa doko desu ka.
     b : Tokyo-eki wa asoko desu.

(4) a : Otearai wa dochira desu ka.
     b : Otearai wa achira desu.

(5) a : Okuni wa dochira desu ka.
     b : Nihon desu.

(6) a : Higashi wa dochira desu ka.
     b : Higashi wa kochira desu.

(7) a : Sochira wa donata desu ka.
     b : Kochira wa Miyazawa-san desu.

Translation

(1) a : Is that place over there an office ?
     b : No, that place over there is not an office.
        : ( That place over there ) is an conference room.
     a : What is that place ?
     b : That place is a classroom.

(2) a : Where is this place ?
     b : ( This place ) is Shibuya.
   
(3) a : Where is Tokyo Railway Station ?
     b : Tokyo Railway Station is that place over there.

(4) a : Where is the toilet ?
     b : The toilet is that place over there.

(5) a : Where is your country ? ( Where do you come from ? )
     b : Japan.

(6) a : Which direction is the east ?
     b : The east is this direction.

(7) a : Who is that person ?
     b : This person is Mrs. Miyazawa.

Vocabulary

koko ( this place, here )
soko ( that place, there )
asoko ( that place over there )
doko ( where )
jimusho ( office )
kaigishitsu ( meeting room, conference room )
kyoshitsu ( classroom )
Shibuya ( name of a place in Tokyo )
eki ( station, railway station )
Tokyo-eki ( Tokyo Railway Station )
kochira ( this place, this person, this direction, this way, here )
sochira ( that place, that person, that direction, that way, there )
achira ( that place over there, that person over there, that direction over there, that way over there, over there )
dochira ( where, which, who )
otearai / toire ( toilet, washroom )
okuni / kuni ( country )
higashi ( east )
nishi ( west )
minami ( south )
kita ( north )
Miyazawa ( a japanese surname )

Structure

(1) [ koko / soko / asoko / doko ]
   
      Ginko wa doko desu ka. ( Where is the bank ? )
      Ginko wa koko desu.      ( This place is the bank.
                     soko                   That place
                     asoko                  That place over there

      Koko wa nan desu ka. ( What is this place ? )
      Koko wa ginko desu.   ( This place is the bank. )
      Soko                              That place
      Asoko                            That place over there

(2) [ kochira / sochira / achira / dochira )

      Nishi wa dochira desu ka. ( Which direction is the west ? )
      Nishi wa kochira desu.      ( The west is this direction. )
                    sochira                                    that direction
                    achira                                      that direction over there

(3) [ dochira ]

(a)    Kaisha wa dochira desu ka. ( Where is [your] company ? )
        Kaisha wa Tokyo desu.       ( [My] company is [in] Tokyo. )

(b)   Kaisha wa dochira desu ka. ( Where is [your] company ? )
        Kaisha wa Toho desu.        ( [My] company is Toho. )
                                                   *Toho is the name of a company.

(a) talks about the location of the company.
(b) talks about the name of the company.

Directions & Positions

(1) [ Referring to things ]

kore -> this
sore -> that
are -> that over there
dore -> which

(2) [ Followed by Nouns which can be things, animals and people ]

kono -> this + Noun
sono -> that + Noun
ano -> that + Noun over there
dono -> which + Noun

(3) [ Referring to places ]

koko -> here, this place
soko -> there, that place
asoko -> over there, that place over there
doko -> where

(4) [ A more polite way of referring to persons and placea ]

kochira -> here, this way, this direction, this person
sochira -> there, that way, that direction, that person
achira -> over there, that way over there, that direction over there,
               that person over there
dochira -> which, where, who

Exercise for lesson 4 will be in "Learning Japanese with me" facebook page~

*Note : Translation are below.

(1) a : Kore wa jisho desu ka.
     b : Hai, sore wa jisho desu.

(2) a : Sore wa tsukue desu ka.
     b : Iie, kore wa tsukue dewa arimasen.

(3) a : Are wa isu desu ka.
     b : Hai, so desu ne.

(4) a : Are wa borupen desu ka, enpitsu desu ka.
     b : Are wa borupen desu.

(5) a : Kore wa nan desu ka.
     b : Sore wa hasami desu.

(6) a : Sore wa nan desu ka.
     b : Kore wa shinbun desu.
     a : Kore mo shinbun desu ka.
     b : Hai, sore mo shinbun desu.
     a : Are mo shinbun desu ka.
     b : Iie, are wa shinbun dewa arimasen.
     a : Soredewa, are wa nan desu ka.
     b : Zasshi desu.

Translation

(1) a : Is this your dictionary ?
     b : Yes, that is my dictionary.

(2) a : Is that a desk ?
     b : No, this is not a desk.

(3) a : Is that one over there a chair ?
     b : Yes, that's right.

(4) a : Is that one over there a ball-pen or a pencil ?
     b : That one over there is a ball-pen.

(5) a : What is this ?
     b : That is ( a pair of ) scissors.

(6) a : What is that ?
     b : This is a newspaper.
     a : Is this a newspaper too ?
     b : Yes, that is a newspaper too.
     a : Is that one over there a newspaper too ?
     b : No, that one over there is not a newspaper.
     a : In that case, what is that one over there ?
     b : ( That one over there ) is a magazine.

Vocabulary

kore ( this )
sore ( that )
are ( that one over there )
nan ( what )
mo ( too,also )
 borupen ( ball-pen )
jisho ( dictionary )
enpitsu ( pencil )
tsukue (desk )
isu ( chair )
hasami ( scissors )
shinbun ( newspaper )
zasshi ( magazine )
soredewa ( in that case )

Structure
 (1) [ Subject wa Noun desu ]
     
       Subject      Noun 
       Kore    wa  pen    desu.                  ( This is a pen. )
       Kore    wa  pen    desu ka.             ( Is this a pen ? )
       Kore    wa  pen    dewa arimasen.  ( This is not a pen. )
"Sore" and "Are" can be used as subjects too.

(2) [ nan --- what ]

Kore wa nan desu ka. ( What is this ? )
Kore wa enpitsu desu. ( This is a pencil. )

"Sore" and "Are" can be used as subjects too.

(3) [ or ]

              Noun 1                Noun 2
Kore wa enpitsu   desu ka,   hon     desu ka.
Is this      a pencil   or         a book  ?

(4) [ mo --- also / too / either ]

          Particle
Kore    wa      hon desu.
Kore    mo      hon desu.     本 hon : book

      Kore mo hon desu ka.                  ( Is this a book too ? )
--> Hai, kore mo hon desu.                ( Yes, this is a book too. )
--> Iie, kore wa hon dewa arimasen.  ( No, this is not a book. )

Naturally, the negative does not need "mo".

      Kore wa hon dewa arimasen. ( This is not a book. )
--> Sore mo hon dewa arimasen. (This not a bokk either. )

"mo" is used in the case to mean "either".

Exercise for lesson 3 is in fb page so check it in "Links". Good Luck~!

*Note: Translation are below.

(1) a : Hajimemashite. (Watashi wa) Honda desu. Dozo yoroshiku.
        : Watashi wa Nihon-jin desu. Watashi wa kaishain desu.        
        ( ) denotes optional words.

(2) a : Anata wa Aren-san desu ka.
     b : Hai, watashi wa Aren desu.
     a : Anata wa Igirisu-jin desu ka.
     b : Iie, watashi wa Igirisu-jin dewa arimasen.
         : Amerika-jin desu.
     a : Anata wa gakusei desu ka, sensei desu ka.
     b : Watashi wa gakusei desu.

(3) a : Ano hito wa Ken-san desu ka.
     b : Iie, ano hito wa Ken-san dewa arimasen.
     a : Ano hito wa dare desu ka.
     b : Mita-san desu.

(4) a : Ano kata wa donata desu ka.
     b : Kimu-san desu.
     a : Kimu-san wa Nihon-jin desu ka.
     b : Iie, Chugoku-jin desu.

(5) a : Anata-gata wa kaishain desu ka.
     b : Iie, so dewa arimasen. Watashi-tachi wa gakusei desu.

Translation

(1) a : How do you do ? (1) am Honda. Nice to meet you.
         : I am a Japanese. I am a company staff.

(2) a : Are you Mr.Alan ?
      b : Yes, I am Alan.
      a : Are you a British ?
      b : No, I am not a British.
         : (I) am a American.
       a : Are you a student or a teacher ?
       b : I am a student.

(3) a : Is that person over there Mr.Ken ?
     b : No, that person over there is not Mr.Ken.
     a : Who is that person over there?
     b : Mr. Mita.

(4) a : Who is that person over there?
     b : Ms. Kim.
     a : Is Ms. Kim a Japanese ?
     b : No, (she) is a Chinese.

(5) a : are all of you company staff ?
    b : No, that is not right. We are student.

Vocabulary

desu  (is,am,are)
watashi  ( I )
watashi-tachi (We)
anata (you)
anata-gata (all of you)
Igirisu-jin (British)
Nihon-jin (Japanese)
Amerika-jin (American)
Chugoku-jin (Chinese)
gakusei (student)
sensei (teacher)
kaishain (company,staff,clerk)
dare (who)
donata (who -> more polite)

kono hito (this person)
sono hito (that person)
ano hito (that person over there)
"kata" can be used to replaced "hito" for a more polite expression.

Honda (a Japanese surname)
Mita (a Japanese surname)
Aren (Alan / a man's name)
Ken (Ken / a man's name)
Kimu (Kim / a lady's name)
Hajimemashite (How do you do ? / for first meeting)
Dozo yoroshiku (Nice to meet you)
so desu (that's right, it's so)
so dewa arimasen (that's not right, it's not so)

Structure

(1) [ Subject wa Noun desu ]
   
      Subject       Noun
      Watashi wa Ken      desu.                 (I am Ken.)
      Anata    wa gakusei desu ka.             (Are you a student?)
     Ken-san wa Indo-jin dewa arimasen. (Mr. Ken is not an Indian.)
                                     [ja arimasen]
         
desu --> "desu" is like "verb-to-be" in English, or rather the "is/are/am".

ka --> "ka" is added at the end of a sentence to convert the sentence into a question form. "ka" is needed
            even in sentences with interrogative words like "what", "where" etc.

dewa arimasen --> A negative form of "desu". Sometimes it is replaced by "ja arimasen" which is more
                             casual. It's Hiragana writing is "deha" but it is pronounced as "dewa".

wa --> "wa" is a particle used after a subject. "wa" is followed by a topic relating to that subject. It's
            Hiragana writing is "ha" but it is pronounced as "wa".

(2) [who --- dare / donata]

Ano hito wa dare desu ka.  (Who is that person over there?)
Ano hito wa Ken-san desu. (That person over there is Mr. Ken.)

Ano kata wa donata desu ka. (Who is that person over there?)
Ano kata wa Ken-san desu.   (That person over there is Mr. Ken.)

(3) [ or ]

Ken-san wa [ sensei ] desu ka, [gakusei] desu ka.
Is Mr. Ken [a teacher] or [a student] ?

(4) [hai & iie ]

"Hai" and "Iie" are generally of the same meanings with English "yes" & "no" respectively. However,there is some difference when answering question which are asked in negative forms.

A : Anata wa Nihon-jin dewa arimasen ka.
     ( Aren't you a Japanese ? )
B : Hai, watashi wa Nihon-jin dewa arimasen.
     ( Yes, [that'ts right] I am not a Japanese.)
B : Iie, watashi wa Nihon-jin desu.
     ( No, [that's wrong] I am Japanese.)

(5) [san]

"san" is used behind a person's surname or name as a formal or polite way  of addressing the person. "san" is applicable to both males and females.

"Mita-san" may mean Mr. / Miss / Mrs. / Madam / Ms. Mita.

Normally, we do not use "san" behind our own names and surnames.

Sometimes, "san" is placed behind the name of an occupation or a business like :
Pan-ya (bakery,baker)
Pan-ya san (bakery, Mr. / Ms. baker)

(6) [ Jin --- person ]

When the Kanji "人" is pronounced as "jin", it cannot be used as an word :

(1) Chugoku       ( China )
      Chugoku-jin ( Chinese )

(2) Indo       ( India )
      Indo-jin ( Indian )

Other ways of using "jin" may be :

geino      ( entertainment )
geino-jin ( entertainer )

Konbanwa

In Hiragana, "わ" (wa)  is used when it forms part of a word and "は" (wa) is used as a particle, which is to mark a topic. "Konbanwa" is written as "こんばんは". This is because "Konban" might have been used as a subject meaning "tonight" followed by a predicate to become a full sentence. "は" (wa) in this case is a particle.The full sentence might perhaps sound something like this :

            Konban wa ii yoru desu ne.
            ( Tonight is a nice evening, isn't it ? )

A sentence like the above could then be shortened  to "Konbanwa" and used as a greeting meaning "Good Evening". Another similar case is "Konnichiwa" ( Good Afternoon ).

Exercise for this i post it in fb page so find it in "Links" and try answer them. ^^ Gambari masho? (Work hard,okay? )

Hi~ My name is Mirai. I'm here helping you on learning japanese~ My program does not need to paid because i just wanted to help not earn :) So,Let's start >3< We have 33 lesson & we start with the first one.By the way,my lesson here teaching you about speaking in Japanese only but i will work hard to do a writing japanese lesson too.

Lesson 1 [Saying hello]
1. Ohayo (Good Morning)
    Ohayo gozaimasu (Good Morning -> more polite)
"Ohayo" is a short and an informal form of "ohayo gozaimasu".The latter is a polite form used when speaking to superiors or in formal occasions.

2. Konnichiwa (Good Afternoon / Hello)
    "Hello" in Japanese is "Haro" :) but we don't usually say that,we often use "Konnichiwa"

3. Konbanwa (Good Evening)

4. Oyasumi nasai (Good Night)

5. Sayonara (Good-bye)
    For students,we don't use "Sayonara" to say bye bye but we use "Ja-ne"

6. Irasshaimase (Welcome -> to visitors)

7. Sumimasen (Excuse me / sorry)

8. Gomen nasai (sorry / forgive me / excuse me)

9. Arigato (thank you)
    Arigato gozaimasu (thank you -> more polite)
"Arigato" is a short form and an informal form of "Arigato gozaimasu". "Arigato gozaimasu" is a polite form used when speaking to superiors or in formal occasions.
    Arigato gozaimashita
"Arigato gozaimasu" is used to thank someone for a favor which is not done yet or at the moment when the favor is received. "Arigato gozaimashita" is used to thank someone after the favor is done, or perhaps some time later.

10. Do itashimashite (You are welcome -- in response to "thank you")

11. a: Itte kimasu (i will go and come back)
To be said traditionally by members who leave home.
      b:Itte rasshai (Please go and come back)
To be said traditionally to members who leave home.

12. a: Tadaima (I am home)
To be said traditionally by members who arrive home.
      b: Okaeri-nasai (Welcome home)
To be said traditionally to members who arrive home.

13. Itadakimasu (I shall receive it now)
To be said traditionally before eating or drinking something.

14. Gochisosama deshita. (Thank you.I really enjoyed the meal)
To be said traditionally to express thankfulness after a meal or a drink.

15. a:O-genki desu ka. (How are you?)
      b"Genki desu. Arigato gozaimasu. (I am fine. Thank you.)
Japanese usually do not say "O-genki desu ka" as a greeting unless they meet someone whom they have not seen for quite some time or who has been sick.

16. Domo
"Domo" is a flexible word. Generally it means thank you,hello or sorry.Sometimes it is used alone when it is understood to the listener what the speaker wants to say. It can be followed by certain words mean "very much". Example:
Domo arigato (Thank you very much)
Domo sumimasen ( I am very sorry)

Ojigi (Bowing)

 It is well-known that Japanese bow to each other when they meet. Normally the person who is of lower rank takes the initiative to bow first.

 To do a formal bow, you should firstly stand straight and face the person directly.
Usually greetings like "Hajimemashite" meaning "How do you do" are said when you are about to bow.
Before you bow, keep your legs straight and heels close to each other. Hold both arms close to both sides of your body, with your fingers close to each other. As you bow up to about 45 degree, keep your eye level at that person's shoes. If you are a man, your both arms remain close on both sides of your body when you bow. However, if you are a lady, you should move both arms inward with both hands staying on your laps. A casual bow is between 15 degree and 25 degree.

 "Ojigi" or bowing is not only used for greetings,it can also be used to express thankfulness and apologies.

That's all from me for today ^^ see you guys next time.


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Labels: Introduction