Greeting,Bowing in Japan
Whenever you visit foreign countries, it is always good to know some basic words and phrases such as greeting in their local language. Greetings are great conversation starter and, it is fun to learn all kinds of words and phrases in foreign language.
Some of the words in Japanese are brought from western cultures (which we call them "gai rai go") so, now and then, you would find the familiar words with a little different accent on the words would make the word used in Japanese.
For example, when I was visiting friends in the states, they asked me what "beer" is called in Japanese. I smiled back and said "Bi i ru". They asked me more words.
They say "How about gum (chewing gum)?" I smile back and said "Gum". They say "How about ice cream"? I smile back and say "Ice cream".
So, if you visit Japan, some of the words used there is already something you know
Just a little bit different accent on words,but they should understand what you mean.
That will be a little bit of advantage of visiting Japan if you speak English.
In this entry, I thought it will be interesting for you to learn a little bit of easy Japanese phrases.
Greetings in Japanese..
Good morning; Ohayo Gozaimasu (O-ha-yo-u go-za-i-ma-su)
Hello.Good afternoon; Konnichiwa (Ko-n ni-chi- wa)
Good evening; Konbanwa (Kon-ban wa)
Thank you; Arigatou gozaimasu (A-ri-ga-to u go-za-i-ma-su)
Good bye.Bye bye; Syounara (Sa-yo-u-na-ra)
I am sorry; Gomennasai (Go-me-n-na-sa-i)
Good night; Oyasuminasai (O-ya-su-mi-na-sa-i)
Other easy phrases useful to know..
Yes; Ha i.
No;I i e.
I do not understand; Wakarimasen. (Wa-ka-ri ma-se-n)
When I write about greetings in Japan, I cannot write it without explaining bowing culture in Japan.
Here in the states, when you meet new people, most likely, shake hands or just carry conversation after greeting with no physical gestures.
In Japan, we bow often when greeting to neighbors,new people, customers,boss etc.
Bowing is also a way to express gratitude,apologies,respect,and requests.
For example, you are walking a dog and met your neighbor and you would say "O ha yo u go za i ma su" (Good morning) and bow.
Lets say you are a little kid at school,and you broke the flower vase, and you would say "Go me n na sai" (I am sorry) to a teacher and bow.
If your neighbor brought you something to thank you for something you did to help them, you would say "A ri ga to u go za i ma su"(Thank you) when accepting the gifts and bowing to them.
Also, you would find big difference at Japanese department stores. Japanese department stores have clerks at each section and they are there to help you, and when they see you coming into their section of goods for sale, they would most likely say "Ira sshai ma se" (Welcome) and bow and then approach to you to assist you further.
I came across the youtube video what you will be experiencing if you walk into the department in Japan. You will see that every staff at the department is bowing at the customers walked by and says "welcome".
Japanese department stores..
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
Some big department has elevator that is operated by a department's employee, and the lady will be in department uniform, and she would greet you "I ra shhai ma se"(Welcome) when you go in to the elevator and she would say "Ni kai ni mai ri masu."(We will go up to second floor)" and when elevator opens at second floor,and if someone in the elevator got off from the elevator, she would say "A ri ga to u go za i ma shi ta" (Thank you).
Often times, at each level there is an elevator lady outside the elevator and guide the customers which way the elevator would go (Up/down), and when the elevator door is closing she would bow at the other elevator lady inside the elevator and customer.
I came across the youtube video what you will be experiencing if you walk into the department stores' elevators in Japan.
Japanese elevator lady working at each level at the department store..
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
Japanese department store elevator (Inside the elevator)
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
When you bow, you would clasp your hands in front (women) or place hands on sides (men) and stand straight up. Then, bow with eyes down about 45 degree angle.
However, depending on situation, people would bow longer, deeper to express more emotions.
If you go to traditional Japanese Inn (Ryokan)or traditional Japanese restaurant "Ryotei" and if the room were tatami room, most likely, you will have somebody in Kimono will be sitting /kneeling position ( sei za) and be bowing to you with their hands placed in front of them on the tatami mat when they say "Ira shhai ma se "(Welcome).
Sometimes, you would see the bowing at station. I have come across the youtube video of Japanese bullet train called "Shinkansen" conductor welcoming the passenger by bowing. at passengers.
Japanese bullet train "Shinkansen" conductor bow at passengers..
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
Now you know that bowing in Japan is very common and, it is such a big culture in Japan.
Some of the words in Japanese are brought from western cultures (which we call them "gai rai go") so, now and then, you would find the familiar words with a little different accent on the words would make the word used in Japanese.
For example, when I was visiting friends in the states, they asked me what "beer" is called in Japanese. I smiled back and said "Bi i ru". They asked me more words.
They say "How about gum (chewing gum)?" I smile back and said "Gum". They say "How about ice cream"? I smile back and say "Ice cream".
So, if you visit Japan, some of the words used there is already something you know
Just a little bit different accent on words,but they should understand what you mean.That will be a little bit of advantage of visiting Japan if you speak English.
In this entry, I thought it will be interesting for you to learn a little bit of easy Japanese phrases.
Greetings in Japanese..
Good morning; Ohayo Gozaimasu (O-ha-yo-u go-za-i-ma-su)
Hello.Good afternoon; Konnichiwa (Ko-n ni-chi- wa)
Good evening; Konbanwa (Kon-ban wa)
Thank you; Arigatou gozaimasu (A-ri-ga-to u go-za-i-ma-su)
Good bye.Bye bye; Syounara (Sa-yo-u-na-ra)
I am sorry; Gomennasai (Go-me-n-na-sa-i)
Good night; Oyasuminasai (O-ya-su-mi-na-sa-i)
Other easy phrases useful to know..
Yes; Ha i.
No;I i e.
I do not understand; Wakarimasen. (Wa-ka-ri ma-se-n)
When I write about greetings in Japan, I cannot write it without explaining bowing culture in Japan.
Here in the states, when you meet new people, most likely, shake hands or just carry conversation after greeting with no physical gestures.
In Japan, we bow often when greeting to neighbors,new people, customers,boss etc.
Bowing is also a way to express gratitude,apologies,respect,and requests.
For example, you are walking a dog and met your neighbor and you would say "O ha yo u go za i ma su" (Good morning) and bow.
Lets say you are a little kid at school,and you broke the flower vase, and you would say "Go me n na sai" (I am sorry) to a teacher and bow.
If your neighbor brought you something to thank you for something you did to help them, you would say "A ri ga to u go za i ma su"(Thank you) when accepting the gifts and bowing to them.
Also, you would find big difference at Japanese department stores. Japanese department stores have clerks at each section and they are there to help you, and when they see you coming into their section of goods for sale, they would most likely say "Ira sshai ma se" (Welcome) and bow and then approach to you to assist you further.
I came across the youtube video what you will be experiencing if you walk into the department in Japan. You will see that every staff at the department is bowing at the customers walked by and says "welcome".
Japanese department stores..
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
Some big department has elevator that is operated by a department's employee, and the lady will be in department uniform, and she would greet you "I ra shhai ma se"(Welcome) when you go in to the elevator and she would say "Ni kai ni mai ri masu."(We will go up to second floor)" and when elevator opens at second floor,and if someone in the elevator got off from the elevator, she would say "A ri ga to u go za i ma shi ta" (Thank you).
Often times, at each level there is an elevator lady outside the elevator and guide the customers which way the elevator would go (Up/down), and when the elevator door is closing she would bow at the other elevator lady inside the elevator and customer.
I came across the youtube video what you will be experiencing if you walk into the department stores' elevators in Japan.
Japanese elevator lady working at each level at the department store..
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
Japanese department store elevator (Inside the elevator)
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
When you bow, you would clasp your hands in front (women) or place hands on sides (men) and stand straight up. Then, bow with eyes down about 45 degree angle.
However, depending on situation, people would bow longer, deeper to express more emotions.
If you go to traditional Japanese Inn (Ryokan)or traditional Japanese restaurant "Ryotei" and if the room were tatami room, most likely, you will have somebody in Kimono will be sitting /kneeling position ( sei za) and be bowing to you with their hands placed in front of them on the tatami mat when they say "Ira shhai ma se "(Welcome).
Sometimes, you would see the bowing at station. I have come across the youtube video of Japanese bullet train called "Shinkansen" conductor welcoming the passenger by bowing. at passengers.
Japanese bullet train "Shinkansen" conductor bow at passengers..
If you are a blog subscriber or reading from face book,please click here to watch the video.
Now you know that bowing in Japan is very common and, it is such a big culture in Japan.
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