I know little to none Japanese other than maybe three phrases. So please excuse my spelling or my lack of knowledge. My mother was born in Okinawa but moved while young so she didn’t teach much if anything to us.
But I work as a food server at a retirement home and have a lady from japan who comes to my dining room, and who is the only non American in the entire place.
One day I asked where she was from and she replied Japan and I had told her my mother was born there and taught me the phrase: “kochira koso douzo yoroshiku” and her face brightened so much! It was the first time I ever saw her smile happily because she’s usually so quiet and barely speaking.
I wanted to learn some more words for her so that she can smile more. She already taught me Oyasumi and Konichiwa, and enjoys when I can use them back at her.
Basically is there any phrases you would recommend me learn so I can make her happier? I will try my best to put them on cards to try with her since I can hide them in my apron.
Also question: this is not her name but say it is Rose. For an elderly person say in her 80s, is it the right thing to say Rose-San to show respect? So I could say like Ohayo Rose-San and be correct?
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When you give her food, you can say, “Goyukkuri douzo.” It means like “Please take your time,” but it is usual when serving food.
When you say goodbye, you can add, “Ki wo tsukete kudasai ne,” which is like “Take care, okay?”
If you see her again after a long time, you can say, “Rose-san, ohisashiburi desu!” (Long time no see!)
When you see her after New Year the first time, you can say, “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.”
About her name — it depends on your relationship. If you usually already call her Rose, you can say Rose-san. If you feel more distance or if you want to be polite, you can say her family name-san instead.
Your story is cute and I’m sure you can make her smile again!
So since she’s older than you, you gotta be formal.
Adding the San is correct but saying goodmorning should be ohayougozaimasu Rose-san (おはようございますロセさん). And saying goodnight should be oyasuminasai (お休[やす]みなさい). Konnichiwa (こんにちは) on its own is fine though.
When she comes into the store or restaurant you can say irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ) which is like hello but formal and is used when a customer enters a restaurant/shop.
When you serve her you could say douzo (どうぞ) which means “here you are” in this context.
To ask “how are you?” you can say O genki desuka (お元気[げんき]ですか). If she replies with “genki desu” (元気です) that means she’s doing well. Hai (はい) means yes. iie (いいえ) means no.
Edit: added お(O) to 元気[げんき]ですか(genki desuka)
As a harmless joke you can say “katajikenai” (かたじけない/ 忝ない), which is a rather old form of saying thank you. I think it would put a slight familiar touch to your relationship, since you’d start having fun with the language and invite her to join you.
This is the most wholesome thing ever, I don’t really have anything else to add to the other commenters so I just wish you luck and I’m sure this will make her very happy!
A very small phrase that I like using “おかげさまで元気です” (okagesamade genkides).
It essentially just means “I’m good, thanks to you”, and is a reply to “how are you”. Which is “お元気ですか” (ogenkideska), another phrase worth knowing 🙂
“Gokigen yo” (ごきげんよう) is a somewhat old-fashioned but elegant greeting. Depending on the occasion, it can mean “hello” or “good-bye”. Please do not use it while walking. It is perfect to stop and bow before speaking.
IRASSHAIMASEEEEEEE