Using the correct greeting in Japan is important when meeting people for the first time in social situations.
Celebrations
- Happy Birthday.
O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu. (formal)
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Tanjoubi omedetou. (casual)
????????? - Congratulations.
Omedetou gozaimasu.
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Omedetou. (casual)
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The form "gozaimasu （?????）" is more polite. It is added when you are talking with somebody who is not a family members or a close friend.
To reply, "Arigatou gozaimasu （??????????）" or "Arigatou （?????）" is used.
- Congratulations on your wedding.
Go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu. (formal)
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Kekkon omedetou. (casual)
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The honorific "o （?）" or "go （?）" can be attached to the front of some nouns as a formal way of saying "your". It is very polite.
To somebody who is sick
- How are you feeling?Â
Guai wa ikaga desu ka.
?????????? - How is your cold?
Kaze wa dou desu ka.
????????? - Thanks to your help, I have gotten better.
Okagesama de yoku narimashita.
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"Okagesama de （??????）" can be used whenever you announce good news in answer to someone's concerned inquiry.Â
- Please take care of yourself.
Odaiji ni.
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To reply "Odaiji ni （????）", "Arigatou gozaimasu （??????????）" is used.Â
Click this link to learn how to say "Happy New Year" in Japanese.