The fixed expressions Japanese people say every day without thinking, plus a few common idioms, each with what it really means in English. For B1 learners.
よろしくお願いします。
Please treat me well; thanks in advance (used when meeting, asking a favour, starting work together)
お疲れ様です。
Good work; hello (between colleagues)
お世話になります。
Thank you for looking after me. (start of a stay or project)
お世話になりました。
Thank you for everything you've done for me.
お邪魔しました。
Thank you for having me. (leaving someone's home)
お大事に。
Take care, get well. (to someone ill)
お待たせしました。
Sorry to keep you waiting.
恐れ入ります。
I'm much obliged; excuse me (very polite)
仕方がない。
It can't be helped.
しょうがない。
Oh well, nothing you can do. (casual)
頑張ってください。
Good luck! Do your best!
頑張ります。
I'll do my best.
よかった。
Thank goodness; that's good.
なるほど。
I see. That makes sense.
そうですね。
That's right; let me see.
そうなんですか。
Oh, is that so? Really?
さすが。
As expected of you! Impressive.
もったいない。
What a waste.
せっかくだから
since we're here anyway, since it's a special chance
気にしないでください。
Don't worry about it.
気をつけてください。
Please be careful.
遠慮しないでください。
Don't hold back; please help yourself.
どうぞお構いなく。
Please don't go to any trouble.
おかげさまで。
Thanks to you, all is well.
いい加減にして。
That's enough! Cut it out.
まあまあです。
So-so.
ちょっと…
Well, that's a bit... (a polite way to say no)
考えておきます。
I'll think about it. (often a polite no)
またの機会に。
Maybe another time.
ご馳走になります。
Thank you for treating me. (before a meal someone pays for)
乾杯！
Cheers!
猫の手も借りたい
so busy you'd take help from a cat
猿も木から落ちる
even monkeys fall from trees (anyone can make a mistake)
花より団子
dumplings over flowers (substance over style)
七転び八起き
fall seven times, get up eight
一石二鳥
two birds with one stone
口が軽い
can't keep a secret
顔が広い
knows a lot of people
腹が減った。
I'm starving. (casual)
相変わらずです。
Same as ever.