M01 · Greetings and courtesy

Before you start

This level assumes you know hiragana and katakana. Words you already met there are marked and do not count as new.

What you learn

These are set phrases: learn them whole, without analysing their grammar. The longer forms (ございます, なさい) are the polite ones.

You practise them in kana; underneath you can see how they are usually written.

• おはようございますohayou gozaimasugood morning
• こんにちはkonnichiwahello, good afternoonThe final は is read wa, like the particle.
• こんばんはkonbanwagood eveningUsed when meeting someone in the evening; before going to bed you say おやすみなさい.
• さようならsayounaragoodbye
• おやすみなさいoyasuminasaigood night
• ありがとうございますarigatou gozaimasuthank you very much
• すみませんsumimasenexcuse me, sorry
• いただきますitadakimasusaid before eating
• ごちそうさまでしたgochisousama deshitasaid after eating
• はいhaiyes
• いいえiieno

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.