Language/Japanese/Vocabulary/Social-Etiquette-and-Expressions

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Japanese → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Social Etiquette and Expressions

Welcome to the lesson on Social Etiquette and Expressions in the Japanese language! Understanding social etiquette is crucial in Japan, where communication is often as much about what is said as how it is expressed. Politeness, humility, and respect are embedded in everyday interactions, making it essential for learners of Japanese to grasp these concepts early on.

In this lesson, we'll explore various polite expressions, customary greetings, and the importance of social hierarchy in Japanese culture. You'll learn not just the vocabulary, but also how to use it appropriately in different contexts.

To break it down, here’s how we’ll structure our lesson:

Importance of Social Etiquette in Japanese Culture

Understanding social etiquette in Japan is crucial for effective communication and relationship building. Here are a few reasons why it matters:

• Respect: Japanese society values respect for others, especially elders and those in higher positions.

• Non-verbal Cues: Much of communication is non-verbal; thus, understanding social norms can aid in interpreting these cues.

• Building Relationships: Appropriate expressions can help strengthen personal and professional relationships.

Common Polite Expressions

Politeness in Japanese is often conveyed through specific expressions. Below are some essential phrases you will frequently encounter.

Greetings

Greetings set the tone for any interaction. Here are some common examples:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
こんにちは	konnichiwa	Good afternoon
おはようございます	ohayō gozaimasu	Good morning (polite)
こんばんは	konbanwa	Good evening
さようなら	sayōnara	Goodbye
ありがとうございます	arigatou gozaimasu	Thank you (polite)
すみません	sumimasen	Excuse me / I'm sorry

Humble Expressions

Using humble language shows respect. Here are some examples:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
いたします	itashimasu	I do (humble)
ございます	gozaimasu	(exists, polite form)
申し訳ありません	mōshiwake arimasen	I am sorry (very polite)
おります	orimasu	I am (humble)
伺います	ukagaimasu	I will visit (humble)

Apologies and Gratitude

Expressing gratitude and apologies is crucial in maintaining social harmony.

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
申し訳ございません	mōshiwake gozaimasen	I sincerely apologize (very polite)
ありがとうございます	arigatō gozaimasu	Thank you (very polite)
お世話になっております	osewa ni natte orimasu	I am in your care (humble, often used in business)
恐れ入ります	osore irimasu	Excuse me (very polite)
すみませんでした	sumimasen deshita	I am sorry (past tense)

Understanding Hierarchical Language

In Japanese, the use of language reflects the social hierarchy. Here are some important concepts:

• Keigo (敬語): This is the honorific language used to show respect. It has three main forms:

• Sonkeigo (尊敬語): Respectful language.

• Kenjōgo (謙譲語): Humble language.

• Teineigo (丁寧語): Polite language.

Examples of Keigo

Here are some examples of how to apply keigo in conversation:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
行く	iku	to go
行きます	ikimasu	(polite) to go
参ります	mairimasu	(humble) to go
いらっしゃいます	irasshaimasu	(respectful) to go

Social Norms and Customs

Understanding social norms is as important as knowing the language. Here are key customs:

• Bowing: A common greeting and sign of respect. The depth of the bow varies by the social status of the person being greeted.

• Exchanging Business Cards: When meeting someone for the first time, use both hands to offer your card, and receive theirs with both hands as well.

• Gift Giving: It is customary to bring a small gift when visiting someone's home.

Practice Scenarios

Now that you have learned about social etiquette and expressions, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises. Below are practice scenarios to help you apply what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Greetings

Imagine you're meeting someone for the first time in the afternoon. Write down the appropriate greeting you would use.

Answer:

• こんにちは (konnichiwa) - Good afternoon.

Exercise 2: Expressing Gratitude

You received a gift from a friend. What do you say to express your gratitude politely?

Answer:

• ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) - Thank you.

Exercise 3: Apologizing

You accidentally bumped into someone. How would you apologize in a polite manner?

Answer:

• すみません (sumimasen) - Excuse me / I'm sorry.

Exercise 4: Using Keigo

Rewrite the following sentence using the humble form: "I go to the store."

Answer:

• 私は店に参ります (Watashi wa mise ni mairimasu) - I go to the store (humble).

Exercise 5: Role-Playing

Pair up with a classmate. One of you is the guest, and the other is the host. Practice exchanging greetings and expressing gratitude.

Answer:

• Host: いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase) - Welcome.

• Guest: お世話になっております (Osewa ni natte orimasu) - I am in your care (humble).

Conclusion

In this lesson, we explored the rich tapestry of social etiquette and expressions in the Japanese language. Understanding these subtle nuances not only enhances your language skills but also prepares you for more meaningful interactions in Japanese society. Keep practicing, and remember that every small effort counts in building respectful relationships.

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Hiragana Basics

• Hiragana Reading and Writing Practice
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Particle は and が
• Verb Conjugation
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Question Words and Phrases

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Describing People
• Counting Numbers and Time
• Basic Food and Drink Terminology
• Daily Activities and Hobbies
• Basic Directions and Transportation

  ---

Geography and History

• Introduction to Japanese Geography
• Brief History of Japan
• Traditional Arts and Customs
• Popular Culture and Entertainment

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Conjugation
• Adjective Types and Usage
• Adverb Types and Usage
• Comparison and Superlative
• Adjective and Adverbial Modification

  ---

Family and Social Relations

• Family Members and Titles
• Social Etiquette and Expressions
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology
• Shopping and Consumer Culture

  ---

Religion and Philosophy

• Shinto and Buddhism
• Zen and Samurai Culture
• Contemporary Spiritual Movements

  ---

Particles and Conjunctions

• Particles に and で
• Particles へ and を
• Particles も and しか
• Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
• Conditional and Hypothetical Sentences

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Travel and Tourism

• Basic Travel and Tourism Vocabulary
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

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Education and Science

• Educational System and Vocabulary
• Traditional and Modern Science and Technology
• Natural Disasters and Risk Prevention

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Prepositions and Interjections

• Prepositions and Postpositions
• Emphasis and Intensification
• Exclamation and Impression Expressions

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Arts and Media

• Film and Theater Terminology
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Art and Literature Terminology

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Politics and Society

• Basic Political Vocabulary
• Social Issues and Controversies
• Japanese Business and Work Culture

Sources

• Japanese Etiquette Rules: The Do's and Don'ts
• Japanese Greetings and Parting Phrases
• Polite and Useful Japanese Business Phrases - PLAZA HOMES
• Rules for Japanese Letter Format

Other Lessons

• Greetings
• Love
• Feelings and Emotions
• Body
• Vehicles
• Astronomy
• Nature
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• City
• Metals

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