A woman smiling at a young boy in a jacket as she helps him with his backpack.

Ittekimasu, Itterasshai, Tadaima and Okaerinasai: Essential Daily Japanese Greetings

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Japanese culture has a few staple greeting phrases used when leaving and returning home. These are a fundamental part of every Japanese person’s day.

If you’ve ever watched any Japanese slice-of-life drama, movie or anime, you are very likely to have heard these greetings! 

These phrases are essential to learn if you want to immerse yourself in the true Japanese lifestyle!

Let’s find out how exactly to use them:

Ittekimasu

行ってきます

I’m off (and I’ll be back)

A woman helps a young girl in school uniform put on a backpack in a kitchen.

Ittekimasu (行ってきます / いってきます) uses the