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JLPT N5Expressions

Set Polite Phrases— Social Lubricants

Fixed social phrases used to maintain harmony. These are memorized set expressions rather than a productive grammar pattern.

Grammar path · 練習

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A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 40 · EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

Fixed phrases (memorized whole).

Examples · 例文

  • いただきます。

    Itadakimasu.

    I humbly receive (said before eating).

    Humble form; a mandatory phrase before a meal.

  • お疲れ様でした。

    Otsukaresama deshita.

    Thank you for your hard work.

    Said to colleagues after work or any shared effort.

  • ごちそうさまでした。

    Gochisousama deshita.

    Thank you for the meal (said after eating).

    The set phrase that closes a meal — the pair to いただきます.

Usage notes · 注意

  • すみません literally 'it doesn't end (my apology)' but is used for 'excuse me', 'sorry', and even 'thank you' (acknowledging trouble caused). Context decides the translation.
  • After a meal, pair いただきます with ごちそうさまでした (said when finished).

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones Set is tested against.

vsすみません vs ごめんなさい

ごめんなさい is a pure apology (only 'I'm sorry'); すみません is more versatile, also meaning 'excuse me' and 'thanks for the trouble'.

vsいただきます vs ごちそうさま

いただきます is said BEFORE eating; ごちそうさま(でした) is said AFTER finishing the meal.

More expressions

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