Common Sayings

Please note that greeting and closing remarks are covered on their own page.
English
I receive. (Said before eating a meal.)
Thank you for the meal. (Said after eating a meal.)

Japanese
Itadakimasu.
Gochisou sama deshita.

Do your best.

Ganbatte kudasai.

Are you all right?

Daijoubu desu ka?

I'm all right.

Daijoubu desu.

Here you are. (Offering a favor.)

Douzo.

Please do it. (lit. 'I beg you.') (Requesting a favor.)

Onegai shimasu.

Thank you (very much).

(Doumo) arigatou gozaimasu.

Thanks.

Arigatou./Doumo.

You're welcome.

Douitashimashite.

I don't understand.

Wakarimasen./Wakaranai.

Excuse me. (Getting attention)

Sumimasen.

I'm sorry.

Gomen nasai.

Is that so?

Aa sou desu ka?

That's tough isn't it?

Taihen desu ne.

How unfortunate

Zannen desu ne.

Excuse me. (I am rude. )

Shitsurei shimasu.

I am being rude by leaving before you. (Said when leaving

the room before someone, particularly when leaving work
before others.)

Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.

(You've worked hard so) you must be tired. (Said to someone

Otsukare sama deshita.
leaving work for home.)
Excuse me. (Said when entering someone's home.)

Ojama shimasu.

Cheers!

Kanpai.

No, that's OK. (Said when refusing something.)

Iie, kekkou desu.

It can't be helped.

Shou ga nai.

Note: Someone once asked me whether Taihen desu ne. and Zannen desu ne. were sarcastic
phrases. They aren't sarcastic; rather, they are used to express sympathy.