Note that this is merely an overview of what I have learned from 'Japanese for Dummies' by Eriko Sato.
Socializing (Ch. 3)
Introductions
Introducing yourself:
A: Hajimemashite ('beginning' - meeting person for the first time). [Full Name] desu (to be). Yoroshiku ('please be nice to me').
B: Hajimemashite. [Full Name] desu. Kochirakoso ('it's I who should be saying that') yoroshiku.
Introducing friends:
Kochira wa, [Friend's Name] desu.
(Note: you must add -san after his/her name, but not to your own name)
Asking somebody their name:
Shitsuree desu ga, o-namae wa ('I may be rude, but what's your name?')
Addressing friends/strangers:
[Last Name]-[approporiate suffix]
Suffixes:
-buchoo (department manager)
-gakuchoo (university president)
-koochoo (principal)
-sensee (teacher)
-shachoo (company president)
-tenchoo (store manager)
Titles:
-chan (children, after child's given name)
-kun (after boy's given name; also used after subordinate's family name)
-sama (after superior's or customer's name; also used in letters)
-san (used if other titles unavailable)
Additional Vocabulary
Alternative personal pronouns for 'you':
ojisan middle-aged man
obasan middle-aged woman
ojiisan old man
obaasan old woman
booya/obocchan young boy
ojoosan young girl
oniisan young man
oneesan young woman
Greetings:
ohayoo good morning (informal)
ohayoo gozaimasu good morning (formal)
konnichiwa good afternoon
konbanwa good evening
O-genki desu ka How are you? (Note: Only ask 'How are you?' when you are actually concerned with their physical/mental health)
Hai, genki desu I'm fine. (informal)
Hai, okagesamade I'm fine thanks to you and God. (formal)
Nantoka I'm barely coping. (Note: This isn't considered negative to the Japanese, and is considered more formal)
Weather words:
atatakai warm
atsui hot
mushi-atsui muggy
samui cold
suzushii cool
(Note: adding the particle -ne signifies that you hope the listener will agree)
ame rain
arashi storm
hare clear sky
kumori cloudy sky
yuki snow
Saying Goodbye
Sayoonara goodbye (Note: only use when your friend is departing for a long time)
Jaa mata see you again
Shitsuree shimasu i'm being rude by leaving your presence (Note: used after 'jaa mata' in formal situations)
Ittemairimasu i'll go and come back (Note: used with family members when leaving for a short period of time, such as work)
Gratitude/Regret
Arigatoo thanks (informal)
Arigatoo gozaimasu thank you (formal)
Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu thank you (formal)
Doomo thank you (neutral)
Doomo sumimasen i'm very sorry (formal)
Sumimasen i'm sorry (neutral) or excuse me
Gomennasai sorry (informal)
