Small talk — Travel plans

こんにちは

Hello

A common greeting used throughout the day in Japan.

It's polite to bow slightly when saying [こんにちは] (kon-ni-chi-wa).

元気

Healthy; well

Typically used when discussing physical or mental health.

Japanese values good health as a sign of balance in life.

ですか？

Are you?

A polite way to end a question, used often in Japanese.

Using [ですか？] (de-su-ka) adds politeness to your questions.

元気ですか？

How are you?

Commonly used as a greeting to check someone’s well-being.

This phrase shows care and interest in the other person's condition.

ですよ

I am

This adds emphasis and finality to a statement.

Saying [ですよ] (de-su-yo) is friendly and confirms confidence in what you're saying.

元気ですよ。

I'm good.

Use this when responding positively to inquiries about your well-being.

Expressing your [元気] (gen-ki) in a cheerful tone is appreciated.

あなたは？

How about you?

A casual way to ask about the other person’s state or condition.

[あなたは？] (a-na-ta-wa) shows interest in the other person, which is highly valued in Japanese interactions.

も

Too

Often used to indicate inclusion or similarity.

[も] (mo) is used to make connections or show shared experiences in conversations.

最近

Recently

Frequently used to talk about current trends or events.

The Japanese are often attentive to recent changes or events in conversations.