This is a reprint of my squidoo lens therefore it has no kanji right now but please enjoy.
The usefulness of these words will depend on whether you can hear them as they are in their natuaral native state or tongue; and, while it is one thing to see a word on paper, it is yet another matter whether your ears can hear it as it is used in its natural setting.
It is important when studying Japanese to devote a specific portion of your study to pronunciation. Learning to pronounce words will get you understood. Natives who hear correct pronunciation have only one choice as to their comprehension, and that is they will understand you and they will understand what you are saying. As long as you pronounce words as a native would, you shouldn't have any problems getting your message across.
3 Greetings - 3 aisatsu
O-hayo^ gozaimasu - good morning
konnichi wa - good afternoon
konban wa - good evening
sayo^nara - goodbye (for a long while)
ja ne - goodbye (later dude)
ja mata - goodbye (Talk at ya later, See ya next time, Until next time)
o-genki desu ka? - How is it going? or How are you?
genki desu. - I'm fine thank you.
Ikaga desu ka? - Would you like some _ or How would _ be, where you fill in _ with some beverage or food item or occasionally is used as a how are you?
Itadakimasu - I humbly partake (You Must say this before you eat a meal in a Japanese household, weird to westerners, but if you neglect to say this before you eat you could be considered weird yourself. Don't be bashful just say itadakimasu and eat away no problems.)
go-chiso^-sama-deshita - excellent meal, or that was a feast thankyou. (Say this after you eat so to show appreciation of the feast you just partook of.)
Arigato^ gozaimasu - thank you
arigato^ - thanks
do^mo - right on, thanks
do^mo arigato^ - thank you
do^mo arigato^ gozaimasu - thank you very much
ki o tsukete kudasai - please be careful
O-jama shimasu - I humbly invade or intrude.(To be said as one enters beyond the genkan and threshold of a Japanese home or apartment, dwelling or room, signifying your respect to the home and the arrival of your presence.)
Irrashai (mase) - Welcome, or come on in. (This is verbalized loudly to get you to come in the store or shop or to welcome you, even at the gas stations you will be greeted with this one.)
see my ghettogrammar for the word wakaru to complete your initiation.