Greetings

Ok, I don't think I wrote any entires relating directly to the Japanese language. So I just feel like talking about greetings a little bit since I think its a topic I have a good grasp on. This definitely exists in European languages, but not to this extent. In Japanese there is a clear difference between formal and informal language. I will distinguish between formal and informal greetings. Formal is used for Superiors, teachers, older people, and generally all people you just met. Informal is used with friends, classmates, family members.

So Greetings:
Ohayo- Informal, Good morning. Almost like saying "Good morning" with the informality of saying "hi".

Ohayo Gozaimaus - Good morning, formal

Konnichiwa- Good afternoon, used for both formal and informal

Konbanwa- Good Evening...there might be an informal way of saying this, but I can't remember it.

Yasumi - 'Good night', informal

Arrigato Gozaimashita - Formal "Thank you", in certain situations used to say "Good bye" formally.

Otsukare - Generally translated as "Good job". Used as an informal greeting (both hello and goodbye) between co-workers, fellow group members, fellow club members, pretty much anyone you've worked with or helped.

Yosh -Sort of a "What's up", informal, a little masculine I think and more used between men. (all do not always).

I guess since I'm at this, Japanese has minor differences between how Men and Women speak. I don't think the difference are that big, but generally it seems more approopriate for women to be a little more formal then men. Women tend to put 'o' before certain objects such as "O-hoshi"(chopsticks) rather then jut "hoshi". The more notable differences are pronoun "I". Some ways of saying it:

Watashi- Gender neutral and used by what seems to me 95% of people.

Atashi- feminine, 2nd most common "I" that I've heard in Japan

Boku - masculine, I've only heard this one Swedish guy who is fluent in Japanese use it.

Ore - masculine, somewhat arrogant, I have not heard anyone use this one.