Japanese greetings and everyday phrases: ohayō, sumimasen, itadakimasu

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A handful of everyday Japanese phrases go a long way. They are short, they are said constantly, and using them correctly makes a good impression even if you know nothing else. Here are the essentials, what they really mean, and when to use each.

Greetings through the day

Ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます): good morning. The full form is polite; friends and family say just ohayō. At many workplaces it is said at the start of a shift, even late in the day.
Konnichiwa (こんにちは): hello, used from late morning to late afternoon. It is a little formal between friends, who are more likely to say a casual "ā" or "yō".
Konbanwa (こんばんは): good evening.
Oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい): good night, said before bed or when parting late at night.
Sayōnara (さようなら): goodbye, but it can sound final. Day to day people say ja mata (see you) or mata ne with friends, and shitsurei shimasu (excuse me for leaving) in formal settings.

Sumimasen: the most useful word

Sumimasen (すみません) does three jobs:

Excuse me: to get attention, call a waiter or ask a stranger a question.
Sorry: for a small mistake, like bumping into someone.
Thank you: when someone has gone to trouble for you, such as holding a door or picking up something you dropped. It acknowledges the inconvenience.

For a more serious apology, use gomen nasai (casual to neutral) or mōshiwake gozaimasen (very formal, used by staff to customers).

Thank you, at different levels

Arigatō (ありがとう): thanks, to friends and family.
Arigatō gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): thank you, polite. Use this with staff, strangers and anyone older.
Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu: thank you very much.
Dōmo alone works as a quick, light thanks.
Replying: dō itashimashite (you are welcome) exists, but people more often just say "iie" (not at all).

At meals

Itadakimasu (いただきます): said before eating, with hands together. It expresses thanks for the food and for those who made it, and Japanese people say it even when eating alone.
Gochisōsama deshita (ごちそうさまでした): said after eating. Saying it to the staff as you leave a restaurant is a nice touch, and it is how you thank someone who treated you.

At work and with friends

Otsukaresama desu (お疲れ様です): literally "you must be tired", it acknowledges someone's effort. Colleagues say it as a greeting and when someone leaves for the day; friends say it after an activity together. Very common and hard to translate.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします): said when meeting someone or asking for a favour; roughly "I look forward to working with you" or "please treat me well". You will hear it constantly.
Hajimemashite (はじめまして): nice to meet you, said when meeting someone for the first time, before giving your name.

In shops

Staff greet you with irasshaimase (welcome). You do not need to reply; a nod is fine.
Kore o kudasai (これをください): this one, please, while pointing.
Ikura desu ka? (いくらですか?): how much is it?
Fukuro wa daijōbu desu: I don't need a bag.
Kādo de ii desu ka?: can I pay by card?

In restaurants

Sumimasen!: to call staff over.
[Number] mei desu: we are [number] people, using hitori (1), futari (2), then san-nin, yo-nin.
Osusume wa nan desu ka?: what do you recommend?
Okaikei onegaishimasu: the bill, please. In many places you pay at the register by the door.

A note on bowing

Greetings usually come with a small bow. A slight nod is enough for most everyday situations; deeper bows are for formal apologies and thanks. Do not combine a bow with a handshake unless the other person offers one. Which Japanese phrase did you find most useful on your trip, or confusing at first? Share it in the comments.