Expressions at home

When leaving home

The expression ってきます is very common, especially in spoken Japanese. While it literally means I will go and then come, which sounds awkward and a little redundant in English, it is totally acceptable in Japanese. It is used mostly by family members, for example when leaving home in the morning to go to work or school. The standard reply to ってきます is ってらっしゃい, which literally means Go and come back.

EnglishJapanese
I'm leaving (the house).
いってきます。ittekimasu.
Literally: I'll go and come back.
Take care. Come back safely.
いってらっしゃい。itterasshai.
Literally: go and come back

When returning home

When back home you say ただいま, to which the response is かえりなさい.

EnglishJapanese
I'm back.
ただいま。tadaima.
Literally "just now", an abbreviation of "I've returned just now": ただいま帰りました
Welcome home.
かえり なさい。okaeri nasai.
Literally: do return

At meals

Before eating you say いただきます, and after eating you say そうさまでした.

EnglishJapanese
Bon appétit. (Thank you for the meal)
いただきます。itadakimasu.
Literally: I humbly receive
It was a feast. (Thank you for the meal)
そうさま でした。gochisousama deshita.

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