Japanese Lesson 10: Phrases Part 2

[Demon-Kiyomi]

<h1>Vocabulary:　Tango:　たんご：　単語</h1>

Please:　Onegaishimasu:　おねがいします：　お願いします
- Kudasai：　ください：　下さい (less formal than onegaishimasu)

Fine:　Genki:　げんき：　元気
I'm thinking that much like 「お元気ですか。」 (o genki desu ka) this word should NOT be used on a daily basis. If I remember correctly, the nuance behind 「元気」(genki) is to feel well, as in to feel in good health. So "O genki desu ka" and therefore "Genki desu" would be used more if someone has gotten over a sickness than as a "How are you (today)?" sort of thing.

Morning:　Asa:　あさ：　朝

Good morning:　Ohayougozaimasu:　おはようございます：　お早うございます (greeting)
- Ohayou:　おはよう：　お早う (less formal)

Night:　Oyasuminasai:　おやすみなさい：　お休みなさい
"Oyasumi" is used only when you're literally going to bed.
- Konban:　こんばん：　今晩 (this evening)
- Yoru:　よる：　夜

Good evening:　Konbanwa:　こんばんは：　今晩は (greeting)

Sorry:　Gomennasai:　ごめんなさい
- Sumimasen:　すみません (excuse me)

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[Xefjord]

お元気ですか does relate to health, and you are right in that you do not use it very often. However, it can simply be used as a friendly phrase for someone you have not seen in a while. For instance, if you are meeting with a friend you have not seen in a month it would kind of be like "Have you been in good health?" So it is not so restricted as to just sickness. In the Japanese course I learned from, I heard oftentimes instead of starting a conversation with How are you? Japanese will often start conversations by talking about the Weather. Enjoying your lessons btw