Set Phrases (決まり文句)
Set phrases (決まり文句 - kimari monku) are fixed expressions used in specific situations. These formulaic phrases are deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and using them correctly shows cultural awareness and social competence.
決まり文句 = Set phrase
Expected in specific situations
Not using them = unnatural
Cultural markers
Learn these as complete units
Daily Ritual Phrases
Eating
Before eating:
いただきます
"I humbly receive" (this food)
After eating:
ごちそうさまでした
"Thank you for the meal"
Always say both
Cultural ritual
Shows appreciation
Even when eating alone
Leaving/Returning home
Leaving:
行ってきます
"I'm going (and will return)"
Response:
行ってらっしゃい
"Go and come back safely"
Returning:
ただいま
"I'm home"
Response:
おかえり(なさい)
"Welcome back"
Daily family ritual
Expected exchanges
Shows connection
Business Set Phrases
Beginning interaction
よろしくお願いします
"Please treat me favorably"
Used for:
- First meetings
- Asking favors
- Starting work
- General cooperation
No direct English equivalent
Extremely common
Learn this first
Email openings
お世話になっております
"Thank you for your continued support"
Standard business email opening
Even first email
Shows relationship
Not literal translation
Professional norm
Phone
Answering:
もしもし
"Hello" (phone only)
Business:
お電話ありがとうございます
"Thank you for calling"
いつもお世話になっております
"Thank you for your continued patronage"
Phone-specific
Never say もしもし in person
Workplace Phrases
During work
お疲れ様です
"Thank you for your work"
Use:
- Passing colleagues
- Throughout the day
- Acknowledging effort
Multipurpose
Workplace standard
Not used outside work
Leaving work
お先に失礼します
"Excuse me for leaving first"
Response:
お疲れ様でした
"Good work today"
Daily routine
Respectful departure
Shows consideration
Visiting Someone
Entering home
お邪魔します
"Excuse my intrusion"
Literally: "I will be a bother"
Always say this
Shows humility
Cultural expectation
Leaving home
お邪魔しました
"Thank you for having me"
Past tense of entering phrase
Shows gratitude
Polite closure
Asking Favors
Making requests
すみませんが
"Excuse me, but..."
恐れ入りますが
"I'm sorry to trouble you, but..."
お手数ですが
"I know it's trouble, but..."
Softening requests
Showing consideration
Cultural politeness
Shopping and Service
Store greetings
Staff:
いらっしゃいませ
"Welcome"
Customer: (no response needed)
Staff when giving change:
ありがとうございました
"Thank you very much"
Standard phrases
Automatic
Service industry ritual
Social Situations
First meeting
初めまして
"Nice to meet you (first time)"
[name]です
"I'm [name]"
よろしくお願いします
"Please treat me well"
Standard introduction sequence
Always in this order
Shows respect
Long time no see
お久しぶりです
"Long time no see" (polite)
久しぶり
"Long time" (casual)
ご無沙汰しております
"I've been out of touch" (very formal)
Acknowledging gap
Reconnecting
Seasonal Phrases
New Year
あけましておめでとうございます
"Happy New Year"
今年もよろしくお願いします
"Please treat me well this year too"
Most important greeting
First days of January
Always say together
Year end
良いお年を
"Have a good year"
今年もお世話になりました
"Thank you for this year"
December only
Looking ahead
Gratitude for year
Weather Small Talk
Standard openers
いい天気ですね
"Nice weather, isn't it"
暑いですね / 寒いですね
"It's hot/cold, isn't it"
Weather = safe topic
Social lubrication
Expected small talk
Response Set Phrases
Acknowledgment
なるほど
"I see / That makes sense"
そうですね
"That's right / I agree"
確かに
"Certainly / Indeed"
Showing you're listening
Conversation lubricant
Receiving compliments
いえいえ
"No, no" (humble)
そんなことないです
"That's not true"
まだまだです
"I still have a long way to go"
Cultural humility
Deflecting praise
Expected modesty
Apologetic Set Phrases
Before asking
ちょっといいですか
"Do you have a moment?"
ちょっとお聞きしたいんですが
"I'd like to ask something..."
Softening approach
Getting attention
Polite introduction
Encouragement Phrases
Supporting someone
頑張って
"Do your best / Good luck"
ファイト
"Fight!" (borrowed, encouragement)
応援してるよ
"I'm cheering for you"
Common encouragement
Shows support
Common Responses
To compliments
ありがとうございます
"Thank you"
But often followed by:
でも... "But..."
まだまだです "Not yet..."
Accept but deflect
Cultural norm
Shows humility
To offers
Accepting:
お願いします
"Please (I accept)"
Declining:
大丈夫です
"I'm okay (no thanks)"
結構です
"I'm fine" (formal decline)
Clear but polite
Meeting Endings
Wrapping up
そろそろ
"It's about time (to go)"
そろそろ失礼します
"I should be going now"
またにしましょう
"Let's do this again"
Polite exit
Not abrupt
Social grace
Cultural Importance
Why set phrases matter
Shows cultural competence
Demonstrates respect
Maintains social harmony
Expected behavior
Not using them:
- Sounds unnatural
- Seems rude
- Shows ignorance
Learn as complete units
Don't translate literally
Use in proper context
Common Mistakes
❌ Translating literally
✓ Learn as fixed expressions
❌ Skipping ritual phrases
✓ Always use them
❌ Using もしもし in person
✓ Phone only
❌ Not saying いただきます
✓ Before every meal
These aren't optional
Cultural expectations
Master these first