Greetings and other useful Japanese phrases
The greeting formulas are especially useful. It can be the proverbial ice breaker when you introduce yourself in correct Japanese. In other situations, for example when you are travelling in Japan, knowing some useful Japanese phrases will make your life easier.
If you also want to practice the correct pronunciation, you should go for a good downloadable Japanese language course with lots of audio examples. This will definitely pay off in no time.
Greeting formulas
Say "hello" the right way...
Everything starts with a correct greeting. When you see your friends or family in the morning, it's enough to say ohayou instead of the more polite version ohayou gozaimasu. By the way, the "ou" in the transcription is pronounced like a long "o" (think: go, low).
Useful Japanese phrase books @Amazon
Japanese (Eyewitness Travel Guide Phrase Books)
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 12/28/2009) 
Berlitz Japanese Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz Phrase Book)
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
Come and go
If you have ever been in Japan, you will certainly remember the irashaimaseeee that shop assistents say all the time when a new customer enters the shop. It's the friendly way to say "Welcome" and it is also used when you invite friends and welcome them to your home. Then, however, it's OK to use the shorter and less formal form irashai.
There is a set of phrases that are used when a friend or family member leaves (and plans to come back later) and when he or she actually comes back. For example, when the husband goes to work in the morning, he will say "itte kimasu" (I go and will come back). The wife will say "itterashai". Then, in the evening when the husband comes back he greets with "tadaima" and the wife will say "okaeri". If these formulas are not used then there might be something wrong with the relationship... :-D
Phrases for travellers
There is a lot more to learn. If you got interested and wish to learn more useful Japanese phrases, then I highly recommend to continue with this downloadable Japanese course. This also makes sure that you get the pronunciation right.
Here's my favorite link:
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