General People You Know:

-sama:		Literally: "Master" or "Esquire" Useage: (lastname) + sama; when addressing someone of higher status Respect: Very high (boss, Gods (Kamisama), etc)
-dono:		Literally: "Lord" Useage: (lastname) + dono; not used much anymore. Respect: Very High (Someone of equal rank you highly respect)
-san:		Literally: "Mr." / "Ms." / "Miss" Useage: (lastname) + san / (firstname) + san; Respect: High. Used for people you don't know too well, or for people that you know who are quite a bit older than you.
-kun:		Literally: --- Useage: (firstname) + kun Respect: Friendly. Used typically for males around 13-20 or so, or ones you are friendly with.
-chan:		Literally: --- Useage: (firstname) + chan; Respect: Friendly. Used for little kids (under 10) and for girls 13-20 or your age you are friendly with.

Teachers, and other formalities:

-senpai:		Literally: "Upperclassman" Useage: (lastname) + senpai; Respect: Moderate, used to address someone in a higher class than you in school, a club, etc.
-sensei:		Literally: "Teacher" Useage: (lastname) + sensei; Respect: High, used to address someone who is a teacher, has something to do with educating others as an occupation or an instructor in sports, martial arts, etc.
-shisho:		Literally: "Master" Useage: (lastname) + shisho; Respect: High, a little more respectful than -sensei, its really a matter of preferance on whether to use this as opposed to -sensei for those that teach skills such as martial arts (or magic and psionics in this RPGs case).
kouchou:		Literally: "Headmaster" Useage: kouchou + san/sama Respect: Depends on the use of san or sama. Kouchou-san, would be the equivalent of addressing the headmaster by his title, as most would do. If you were more well aquainted with him you might use lastname + san/sama.

Family Members:

Ojii Jii Jiji Sofu		Literally: "Grandfather" / Jiji: "Old Man" / Sofu: (the speaker's) Grandfather Useage: Ojii + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Jii + (suffix) / Jiji / Sofu Meanings: Depends on the suffix. Ojiisama would show great respect for your grandfather, Jiichan is more an endearing address. Ojiisan is also used to address or talk about someone else's grandfather. Jiji is used only for your grandfather and is disrespectful unless you are very close to him.

Obaa Baa Baba Soba		Literally: "Grandmother" / Baba: "Old Woman" / Soba: (the speaker's) Grandmother Useage: Obaa + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Baa + (suffix) / Baba / Soba Meanings: Depends on the suffix. Obaasama would show great respect for your grandmother, Baachan is more an endearing address. Obaasan is also used to address or talk about someone else's grandmother. Baba is used only for your grandmother and is disrespectful unless you are very close to her.
Oji Shukufu Otooji		Literally: "Uncle" / Shukufu: (speaker's) uncle Useage: Oji(suffix: -sama, -san, -chan, etc) / Ji + (suffix) / Shukufu / Otooji(Oh-toh-oh-jee) Meanings: Try this one on for size, dont forget those double letters or you go down a generation ^_^. Oji actually has two writings, one for an uncle older than your parent, and one for one that is younger. Otooji means your (speaker's) parent's younger brother literally. Ojisama is a formal, very polite address, Jichan is an endearing term.

Oba Ba Shukuba		Literally: "Aunt" / Shukuba: (the speaker's) Grandmother Useage: Oba + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Ba + (suffix) / Shukuba Meanings: Remember to add that extra a if you want age -_^. Like Oji, Oba also has two writings. Obasama- very formal and polite address, Bachan- endearing.

Otou Tou Chichi		Literally: "Father" / Chichi: (the speaker's) father Useage: Otou + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Tou + (suffix) / Chichi(ue) Meanings: Depends on the suffix. Otousama and Chichiue (Chi-Chi-oo-eh) are synonymous in that they are a respectful address, the first more formal than the later. Touchan is an endearing address and Chichi is just like saying "daddy" or "dad."

Okaa Kaa Haha		Literally: "Mother" / Haha: (the speaker's) Mother Useage: Okaa + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Kaa + (suffix) / Haha(ue) Meanings: Depends on the suffix. Okaasama and Hahaue (Ha-Ha-oo-eh) are the same general meaning in a respectful address, the first is more formal than the second. Kaachan is an endearing address, and Haha is like "Mom" or "Mommy"

Onii Nii Ani Aniki		Literally: "Older Brother" / Ani/Aniki: (the speaker's) Older Brother Useage: Onii + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Nii + (suffix) / Ani / Aniki Meanings: Depends on the suffix. Same general rules apply. Oniisama very polite and respectful, Niichan endearing. Ani is used to refer to your older brother to someone else, while Aniki is an address to your brother, kinda like "Big Bro." You can also use Aniue (Ah-nee-oo-eh) in place of Oniisama. 2 "i"s are important, as Oni is an ogre, not a brother.

Onee Nee Ane		Literally: "Older Sister" / Ane (the speaker's) Older sister Useage: Onee + (suffix: -san, -chan, etc) / Nee + (suffix) / Ane Meanings: Depends on the suffix. Same as all the rest, if you've been reading you know the drill =) Oneesama- very polite and respctful, Neechan- endearing. Aneue (Ah-neh-oo-eh) can be used in place of Oneesama. "One" by itself doesn't have a separate meaning, but I can't be positive if it has a slang meaning or not. (One is Oh-neh by the way, not like the english One (1)) =)

Otouto		Literally: "little brother" Useage: Otouto (-san, chan) (someone else's brother) / Otouto (speaker's) Meaning: Kid brother, little brother, annoying little runt.... err well prolly not quite that bad. You get the picture.

Imouto:		Literally: "little sister" Useage: Imouto (-san, -chan) / Imouto Meaning: Kid sister. Works the same way as Otouto. This really isn't an address, neither of them that is, in that you don't say (firstname)-imouto or (firstname)-otouto, where you can say (firstname)-niichan, etc. But even in that situation, its generally not to your siblings, its more used as laid out below (read on, you'll see what I mean)

General People You *Don't* Know:

Ojiisan:		Literally: "Grandfather" Useage: Ojiisan Meaning: Confused yet? This is used to address an elderly gentleman you don't know. Think of it as meaning "respected elder." if you so wish, but its just a polite address. Maybe the Japanese like considering themselves one big family or something so they use the "grandpa" term, who knows. I should also mention this is for someone who is much older than you, if you're the same age you wouldn't use this ^^;

Obaasan:		Literally: "Grandmother" Useage: Obaasan Meaning: "Elderly Woman" think of it as like I explained above. =)

Ojisan:		Literally: "Middle Aged Man" Useage: Ojisan Meaning: Ok, I lied, well not really. Ojisan has a different kanji than Ojisan (uncle), but their the same two kanjis, except this one implies "middle aged man" in this context.

Obasan:		Literally: "Middle Aged Woman" Useage: Obasan Meaning: You know what happened with Ojisan? Well it happened with Obasan. Again, though the person should be older than you to use these terms.

Oniisan		Literally: "Big Brother" Useage: Oniisan Meaning: You know the big brother program? Well its all over Japan! Little kids use this to refer to teenagers they don't know, and even use the suffix form of it (firstname)-niichan to address those they do know.

Oneesan:		Literally: "Big Sister" Useage: Oneesan Meaning: Notice a trend here? It goes the same as Oniisan, little kids will call teenage girls Oneesan, and if they know them they'll use (firstname)-neechan.

Common Japanese Expressions:

Greeting Expressions:

Ohayou Gozaimasu Ohayou		Meaning: "Good Morning" / Ohayou: "Hi" Useage: Said if you meet someone before about 10:00am. Usually if you greet someone, you don't have to greet them again later in the day, a simple nod of the head or shallow bow will do just fine. Ohayou can be used anytime, but generally only to friends and classmates, as it is much less formal.
Konnichi Wa		Meaning: "Good Afternoon" Useage: Said if you meet someone from about 11:00am to about 4 or 5:00pm. Usually if you greet someone, you don't have to greet them again later in the day, a simple nod of the head or shallow bow will do just fine.
Konban Wa		Meaning: "Good Evening" Useage: Said if you meet someone after about 5:00pm. Its generally alright to say Konban Wa to greet someone you met in the morning and have not seen again till the evening.
Shitsureishimasu		Meaning: "Pardon the intrusion" Useage: When you enter the office of someone like a teacher, your boss, etc. it is customary to use this expression. This expression is also used when you leave.
Tadaimasu Tadaima		Meaning: "I'm Home" Useage: Obviously, said when you return home from somewhere. Tadaima is less formal.
Okaerinasai Okaeri		Meaning: "Welcome Home" Useage: Used to, duh, welcome someone home. Okaeri is less formal
Ojamaimasu Ojamaima		Meaning: "Please excuse my intrusion" Useage: Said when you enter someone else's home. Ojama is something that bugs someone, like a bug or other pest, in case you are interested so literally this means "I am here to pester you"

Parting Expressions:

Sayonara		Meaning: "Good Bye" Useage: This is generally said when you indend to part with someone for quite some time. Your friends would look at you strange if you said this to them, when you tend to see them everyday.
Ja Matta		Meaning: "Bye" Useage: A more common friendly good bye. It infers a context more along the lines of "see you later."
Matta Ashita		Meaning: "Until Tomorrow" Useage: When its implied you are going to meet someone tomorrow, or someday (replacing Ashita with that day), but you don't plan on seeing them any time between then.
Oyasuminasai Oyasumi		Meaning: "Good Night" Useage: Said when you or someone else is going to bed. Literally it means "Rest Well" from Yasumu: "to rest" or "to have a break/vacation"

Commonly Used Exclamations, etc:

Hai, Un!		Meaning: "Yes;" "Yep!" Useage: Hai can be used to anyone, while Un is casual, and is usually accompanied by a short nod of the head.
Iie, Uun		Meaning: "No" Useage: Iie can be used to anyone, while Uun is casual for friendly conversation and is usually accompanied by a slight shake of the head.
Sugoi		Meaning: "Wow!" Useage: Sugoi is an adjective, but is often used alone giving in the same general context of "Wow!" Sugoi's adjective usage is in another section.
Matte!(-kudasai)		Meaning: "Wait!" Useage: Matte!; Matte kudasai. Matte is used just like any command we'd use in English. Matte kudasai is more of a polite request.

Daijoubu: Used in 2 ways: Daijoubu? (Are you alright?) and Daijoubu. (I'm alright.)

Kawaii Cute

Kowaii Scary

Hidoi Cruel, mean

Onegai: Please, I beg of you.

Tasukete! Help!

Itai! Ouch!

Itetetetete... Owowowowow!

Domou / Arigatou (gozaimasu): Thank You. Arigatou Gozaimasu is the polite phrasing. Domou is very casual.

Douitashimashite You're welcome.

Itadakimasu! Literally a humble verb meaning "I will receive this." Itadakimasu is used just before eating a meal. Gochisousamadeshita Literally, "It was a feast." Said in thanks after you eat a meal that someone has treated or prepared for you.

Doko? Where?

Nani? What?

Baka! Idiot, jerk, moron, etc. Usage: BAKA! (you [is implied], Idiot!). (person) no Baka! (person) is an idiot, or if that person is present: (person), you idiot!

Ano... / Etto... / Umm....

Sou desu That's right.

Sou desu ka? Is that so?

Sou desu ne 2 uses: Sou desu ne. (Yes, that's right) Sou desu ne? (That's right, isn't it? or Is that really so?)

Watashi / Atashi / Boku: I, me. Watashi is gender neutral. Atashi is feminine, while Boku is more masculine, but is occasionally used by females.

Hontou? Really?

Wakarimasen / Wakanai: I don't understand. Wakarimasen, is more polite. Wakarimasen is also used for I don't know, implying that you'd like to know but you don't. Shirimasen mean's I don't know, literally, but its considered kind of rude so its not used much by iteself.