Polite Expressions & Apologies

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Respectful expressions and social phrases for daily interactions.

20 phrases

ごめんなさい Gomen nasai I'm sorry

Sincere apology easy

失礼します Shitsurei shimasu Excuse me (for interrupting)

Entering/leaving a room, interrupting easy

お邪魔します Ojama shimasu Excuse me for intruding

Entering someone's home or space medium

どういたしまして Dou itashimashite You're welcome

Response to thank you easy

お先にどうぞ Osaki ni douzo After you / Go ahead

Letting someone go first easy

大丈夫です Daijoubu desu It's okay / I'm fine

Reassuring or declining offer easy

お世話になっています Osewa ni natte imasu Thank you for your help

Formal gratitude for ongoing help medium

いただきます Itadakimasu I humbly receive (before eating)

Before starting a meal easy

ごちそうさまでした Gochisousama deshita Thank you for the meal

After finishing a meal easy

お疲れ様です Otsukaresama desu Good work / Thank you for your effort

Common workplace/casual greeting medium

気をつけて Ki o tsukete Take care / Be careful

Saying farewell easy

いってきます Ittekimasu I'm heading out

Leaving home/hotel easy

いってらっしゃい Itterasshai Have a safe trip

Response to ittekimasu easy

ただいま Tadaima I'm back/home

Returning home easy

おかえりなさい Okaerinasai Welcome back

Response to tadaima easy

お手数をおかけします Otesuu o okake shimasu Sorry for the trouble

Apologizing for causing inconvenience medium

とんでもないです Tondemonai desu Not at all / Don't mention it

Humble response to a compliment medium

素敵ですね Suteki desu ne That's wonderful/lovely

Giving a compliment easy

楽しかったです Tanoshikatta desu It was fun / I enjoyed it

Expressing enjoyment easy

お会いできてうれしいです Oai dekite ureshii desu I'm glad to meet you

Meeting someone new medium

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