Itterasshai,Tadaima,Ittekimasu meaning【Japanese greetings for life at home】

I’d like to introduce 8 phrases which you are likely to hear often, should you live with a Japanese family (in a Japanese household) or share a house with Japanese friends.

Check out their meanings one by one!

 

 

 

Itterasshai,Tadaima,Ittekimasu meaning【Japanese greetings for life at home】

Itterasshai,Tadaima,Ittekimasu etc【Japanese greetings for life at home】

Ittekimasu(いってきます)

・I’m leaving now (and will return)

This word is used when leaving the house or your place of work.

“Ittekimasu” is said by the person who is leaving.
However, it’s used in a different context than “sayonara”.
“Ittekimasu” is used when the person who is leaving expects to return.

eg) – When going somewhere – 
A: When will you be back?
B: Around 7:00 pm I guess. Ittekimasu!
A: Itterasshai.

Itterasshai(いってらっしゃい)

 ・Please go (and come back) 

“IItterasshai”  is the response to “Ittekimasu”.

When somebody is leaving and says “Ittekimasu”, you should respond with “Itterasshai”.
You can even say “Itterasshai” first as someone is leaving.

“IItterasshai” is often used as a set with “Ki wo tsuketene”, which will be introduced below, and it is used with the feelings of being careful.

eg) – When you go to work –
Mum: Do you have everything?
You: Yep. Ittekimasu.
Mum: Itterasshai.

Ki wo tsuketene(気をつけてね)

・Take care / Have a nice day

In Japan “Ki wo tsuketene” is a commonly used, everyday phrase. It’s an important way of showing concern and caring during farewells.

It has a different nuance to “be careful” or “watch out”.

 

With the feelings of wishing for safety.

It is a way of telling somebody who is leaving to be wary of trouble, avoid injury and return safely.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this is an essential phrase to use when saying farewells to an important person in your life.

eg) – Before someone leaves –
Ayano: I have to go now.
Mom: Itterasshai, Ki wo tsuketene.
Ayano: Ok! Bye.

Tadaima(ただいま)

・I’m home / I have to come back now

This is an expression used after “Ittekimasu” and “Itterasshai” by the person that left, upon their return.

eg) – When you arrive home –
You: I’m home!
Mom: Welcome back! How was school?

Okaerinasai(おかえりなさい)

・Welcome back 

It can be used when someone returns.
“Okaerinasai” is formal and “Okaeri” is casual.

BUT YOU CAN NOT SAY “Tadaimanasai”

eg) – Someone comes back home –
A: I’m home.
B: Okaerinasai.

Itadakimasu(いただきます)

・Let’s eat / Let’s dig in

It’s a way of showing appreciation to the people who prepared the meal and to those who are there to share it.
There’s no direct English translation, however it’s something akin to “let’s eat” or “let’s dig in”.
We don’t have those expressions in English, but the closest expression is “Let’s eat” or “Let’s dig in”. (This is repeated above)

eg) – When you have a meal with your family –
You: Wow, It’s looks great!
Mum: Because today is a special day.
Dad: Let’s dig in!!!

Gochisousama deshita(ごちそうさまでした)

・It was delicious / I’m stuffed

Similar to “Itadakimasu”, “Gochisou samadeshita” is a great way of expressing both appreciation and satisfaction.

“Gochisou samadeshita” express gratitude to the people who cooked the meal.
The Japanese words “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisou samadeshita” are useful words with various feelings such as gratitude and satisfaction.

“Gochisou samadeshita” and “Gochisou sama” both have the same meaning, but “Gochisousama deshita” is a much more formal way to say it.

eg) – After you finish your meal –
A: Hmm
B: It was really good, wasn’t it.
A: Yes it was. Gochisousama deshita.
B: Gochisousama deshita.

 

This is a special situation where you may use it.

You can say “Gochisousama deshita” after you finished your meal, but you can also say it if someone pays for your meal.

eg) – Someone paid for your meal –
A: Thank you for the meal, Gochisousama deshita.
B: You’re welcome:)

 

Oyasuminasai(おやすみなさい)

・Good night 

When we go to bed, we say “Oyasumi” to someone.
“Oyasuminasai” is formal and  “Oyasumi”  is casual.
So, when someone says to you “Oyasumi”, you can respond with  “Oyasumi”.

eg) – When on the phone with a friend –
A: I’m gonna go to bed now.
B: Alright, sleep well.
A: Thank you, Oyasumi.
B: Oyasumi.

 

Thank you for reading<3

 

 

 

 

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