6. Basic vocabulary: Greetings and common expressions

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Chapter 6: Basic Vocabulary: Greetings and Common Expressions

Knowing the basic vocabulary of any language is the first step towards fluency. In Japanese, this is no different. In this chapter, we'll cover common greetings and expressions, which are essential for everyday communication. Shall we start?

Greetings

The most common greeting in Japan is "こんにちは" (Konnichiwa), which means "Hello" or "Good afternoon". However, the Japanese use different greetings depending on the time of day. "おはようございます" (Ohayou Gozaimasu) is used to say "Good morning", while "こんばんは" (Konbanwa) is used to say "Good night".

To say goodbye, you can use "さようなら" (Sayounara), which means "Goodbye". For a more casual goodbye, especially between friends, you can use "じゃあね" (Jaa ne), which would be the equivalent of "Até mais" in Portuguese.

Expressions of courtesy

The Japanese place a high value on courtesy and respect, and this is reflected in their language. "ありがとう" (Arigatou) means "Thank you", but to express a more formal thank you, you can say "ありがとうございます" (Arigatou Gozaimasu).

To apologize, you can say "ごめんなさい" (Gomen nasai). In a more formal situation, you can say "すみません" (Sumimasen), which can be translated as "Excuse me" or "Excuse me".

Useful expressions

Some expressions are very useful for everyday communication. "はい" (Hai) and "いいえ" (Iie) are the words for "Yes" and "No", respectively. "わかりました" (Wakarimashita) means "Got it". If you don't understand something, you can say "わかりません" (Wakarimasen).

"どういたしまして" (Douitashimashite) is the way of saying "You're welcome". If you want to ask for something, you can use "ください" (Kudasai) after the desired object, for example, "水をください" (Mizu o kudasai), which means "Please give me water".

Emergency expressions

In emergency situations, it is useful to know some expressions like "たすけて" (Tasukete), which means "Help". "どこですか" (Doko desu ka) is used to ask "Where is it". If you feel bad, you can say "具合が悪いです" (Guai ga warui desu), which means "I don't feel well".

Knowing these common greetings and expressions will help you communicate better in Japanese. Remember, practice is the key to fluency, so try to use these words and phrases in your everyday life. In the next chapter, we'll learn about the basic sentence structure in Japanese.またね (Mata ne)!

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