あいさつ・自己紹介

hello (standard greeting when meeting or answering the phone)

The most common, all-purpose greeting. Works in almost any situation, spoken or written.

hi (casual greeting)

A relaxed, friendly greeting used with friends, family, and casual acquaintances.

hey (very casual greeting or to get attention)

A very casual greeting, often used to get someone's attention or greet a close friend.

good morning (greeting used before noon)

A greeting used from waking up until around noon.

good afternoon (greeting used in the afternoon)

A greeting used from around noon until early evening.

good evening (greeting used in the evening)

A greeting used when meeting someone in the evening.

good night (said when parting at night or before sleep)

Said when leaving in the evening or before going to sleep. It is a farewell, not a greeting.

goodbye (standard farewell)

A standard, slightly formal way to say farewell.

bye (casual farewell)

A short, friendly farewell, very common in everyday speech.

bye-bye (warm, casual farewell)

A warm, casual farewell, often used with children or on the phone.

see you (casual farewell, expecting to meet again)

A casual farewell meaning you expect to meet again. Often shortened from 'see you later'.

see you later (casual farewell, meeting again soon)

A friendly farewell used when you will see the person again, usually the same day.

see you tomorrow (farewell, meeting the next day)

A farewell used when you will meet the person the next day.

see you soon (farewell, hoping to meet again before long)

A warm farewell expressing hope to meet again before long.

take care (warm farewell, wishing someone well)

A warm farewell wishing someone well. Often used at the end of a conversation.

how are you? (polite question about someone's well-being)

A common question asked after greeting someone, often as a polite formality.

how are you doing? (casual question about well-being)

A casual version of 'how are you?', common in friendly conversation.

how's it going? (very casual greeting question)

A very casual greeting question among friends, often not expecting a detailed answer.

I'm fine, thank you (polite reply to 'how are you?')

A standard polite reply to 'how are you?'.

and you? (returning a question to the other person)

Used to return a question, especially after answering 'how are you?'.

what's your name? (asking someone's name)

The standard question to ask someone's name.

my name is (introducing your name)

Used to tell someone your name, slightly more formal than 'I'm'.

nice to meet you (said on first meeting someone)

Said when meeting someone for the first time.

pleased to meet you (formal first-meeting greeting)

A slightly more formal alternative to 'nice to meet you'.

nice to meet you too (reply to 'nice to meet you')

The reply when someone says 'nice to meet you' first.

this is (introducing another person)

Used to introduce one person to another.

where are you from? (asking someone's home country or city)

A common question when getting to know someone, asking about their home country or city.

I'm from (stating your home country or city)

Used to say where you come from.

please (polite word when requesting something)

A basic polite word used when asking for something.

thank you (expressing gratitude)

The standard way to express gratitude.

thanks (casual expression of gratitude)

A short, casual way to say thank you.

you're welcome (reply to 'thank you')

The standard polite reply to 'thank you'.

excuse me (getting attention or a polite interruption)

Used to get someone's attention politely or to apologize for a small interruption.

sorry (apologizing or asking for repetition)

Used to apologize or to ask someone to repeat something.

welcome (greeting someone who arrives)

Said to greet someone arriving at a place.

what's up? (casual greeting among friends)

A very casual greeting among friends, similar to 'how's it going?'.

long time no see (greeting after a long absence)

A friendly greeting said to someone you haven't seen for a while.

have a good day (friendly farewell wish)

A friendly thing to say when parting, wishing someone well for the day.

have a nice day (friendly farewell, common in service)

A common, friendly farewell, especially in shops and service situations.

nice to see you (greeting someone you already know)

Said when meeting someone you already know. Different from 'nice to meet you', which is for first meetings.

how have you been? (asking about someone's recent well-being)

Asked to someone you haven't seen for a while, about how they have been recently.

I'm good, thanks (casual reply to 'how are you?')

A common, casual reply to 'how are you?'.

see you around (casual farewell, no fixed plan to meet)

A casual farewell suggesting you may meet again sometime, without a fixed plan.

good to see you (warm greeting for an acquaintance)

A warm greeting for someone you know and are happy to meet.

welcome back (greeting someone who has returned)

Said to greet someone returning after being away.

how about you? (returning a question to the other person)

Used to turn a question back to the other person, similar to 'and you?'.

see you next week (farewell, meeting the following week)

A farewell used when you will meet the person the following week.

good to meet you (friendly first-meeting greeting)

A friendly variant of 'nice to meet you', used on first meeting.

see you in a bit (casual farewell, meeting again very soon)

A casual farewell when you will see the person again very soon.

how do you spell it? (asking how to write a name or word)

Asked when you want to know how to write someone's name.

what's your name again? (politely asking a forgotten name)

Asked politely when you have forgotten someone's name.

have a good one (casual farewell wishing someone well)

A casual, friendly farewell wishing someone a good day, common in everyday and service contexts.

morning (casual short form of 'good morning')

A short, casual version of 'good morning', common among people who know each other.

you too (returning a friendly wish)

A short reply to return a friendly wish, such as after 'have a nice day'.

see you then (farewell confirming an agreed time)

A farewell confirming a time or plan you both already mentioned.

all the best (warm farewell wishing good fortune)

A warm farewell wishing someone good fortune, used in speech and at the end of letters or messages.

nice talking to you (friendly closing of a conversation)

A friendly thing to say at the end of a conversation, before parting.

I'm (contraction of I am; used here to introduce one's name)

A short, natural way to introduce yourself by name (contraction of 'I am').

cheers (British English informal; American English: thanks)

British English informal word used to say 'thank you' (also used casually to mean 'goodbye').