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Proto-types
Formality
Functions/
Examples
|
gomennasai
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sumimasen
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moushiwake arimasen
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shitsurei shimasu*
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Informal-
Semi-Formal
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Informal - Formal
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Formal
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Formal
|
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Apology
|
Gomennasai, machigae mashita.
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Sumimasen, machigae mashita.
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Moushiwake
arimasen, machigae
mashita.
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Not used
|
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Thanks
|
Gomennasai, arigatou.
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Sumimasen, demo arigatou (gozaimasu).
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Moushiwake arimasen, arigatou gozaimasu.
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Not used
|
|
Getting Attention (‘excuse me’)
|
Ano, cyotto gomennasai,
|
Ano, sumimasenga,
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Ano moushiwake
arimasenga,
|
Shitsurei shimasu, yoroshii
Desuka?
|
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Signaling an Upcoming Inquiry/ Request/
Refusal
|
Gomennasai, ano onegaiga arun desukedo…
|
Sumimasen, ano,
onegaiga arun
desuga…
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Moushiwake
nainodesuga
onegaiga aruno desuga…
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Not used
|
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Signaling an Upcoming Negative
Response
|
Gomennasai, cyotto ikare naikamo….
|
Sumimasen, cyotto
ikenaindesu.
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Moushiwake arimasen, cyotto tsugouga waruinndesu.
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Not used
|
|
Opening/ Closing/
Interrupting a Conversation
|
Gomennasai,
cyotto iikana?
|
Sumimasen, ima
iidesuka?
|
Moushiwake
arimasen, ima
yoroshii
desuka?
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Shitsurei
shimasu, ima
yoroshii desuka?
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