Greetings are the gateway to any language, and Japanese is no exception. But unlike English with its one-size-fits-all "hello," Japanese greetings change based on time of day, formality level, and social relationships. This comprehensive guide teaches you 30+ essential greetings with proper usage and cultural context.

Quick Reference: Essential Greetings

Start with these 10 must-know phrases:

Japanese	Romaji	English	When to Use
こんにちは	konnichiwa	Hello	Daytime (10am-6pm)
おはようございます	ohayou gozaimasu	Good morning	Until ~10am
こんばんは	konbanwa	Good evening	After 6pm
さようなら	sayounara	Goodbye	Formal farewell
ありがとうございます	arigatou gozaimasu	Thank you	Gratitude (polite)
すみません	sumimasen	Excuse me / Sorry	Getting attention
おねがいします	onegai shimasu	Please	Requests
はじめまして	hajimemashite	Nice to meet you	First meetings
おやすみなさい	oyasumi nasai	Good night	Bedtime
いってきます	ittekimasu	I'm leaving	Leaving home

Saying Hello: Time-Based Greetings

Japanese greetings change throughout the day:

おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good Morning

When: From waking until around 10-11am

Formality levels:

Version	Romaji	Usage
おはようございます	ohayou gozaimasu	Polite (strangers, work, elders)
おはよう	ohayou	Casual (friends, family)

Cultural note: Even at casual workplaces, the first greeting to colleagues is typically the polite form. After the first meeting of the day, casual forms are fine.

Pronunciation tip: oh-ha-YO-u go-za-i-MAS (not "ohio")

こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good Afternoon

When: From late morning (~10-11am) until early evening (~5-6pm)

Note: This is the most "neutral" Japanese greeting, similar to English "hello."

Fun fact: 今日は (konnichiwa) literally comes from 今日は... (as for today...), which was part of longer greetings that got shortened over centuries!

Common mistake: こんにちは is NOT used with family or close friends at home. It's for acquaintances, strangers, and semi-formal situations.

こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good Evening

When: From early evening (~5-6pm) onwards

Pronunciation: kon-BAN-wa

Usage: Similar to こんにちは – used with acquaintances and in polite situations.

Casual Greetings (Friends & Family)

These are for informal situations with close relationships:

よ！/ よー！(Yo!) – Hey!

Super casual, mostly used by young people, typically male. Like "Hey!" or "Yo!" in English.

おす！(Osu!) – Hey! / Sup!

Very casual, masculine. Common in martial arts contexts and among young men.

やあ (Yaa) – Hi

Soft, casual greeting. Less gendered than おす.

ういっす (Uissu) – Hey / What's up

Very casual, slangy. Derived from ういっすお疲れ様 (お疲れ様 greeting).

どうも (Doumo) – Hey / Thanks / Sorry

Multi-purpose casual word:

• As greeting: "Hey" (very casual)
• As thanks: "Thanks" (casual ありがとう)
• As apology: "Sorry" (casual すみません)

ひさしぶり (Hisashiburi) – Long time no see!

When you haven't seen someone in a while:

Version	Romaji	Formality
お久しぶりです	ohisashiburi desu	Polite
久しぶり！	hisashiburi!	Casual

Saying Goodbye

Japanese has many ways to part, depending on context:

さようなら (Sayounara) – Goodbye

When: Formal farewell; used when you won't see someone for a while

Warning: Despite being the "textbook" goodbye, さようなら can feel heavy or final. It's NOT the common casual goodbye!

じゃあね (Jaa ne) – See ya!

Casual, friendly. The go-to goodbye for friends.

Variations:

• じゃあ (jaa) – shortest, very casual
• じゃあね (jaa ne) – friendly
• じゃあまたね (jaa mata ne) – see you again

またね (Mata ne) – See you again

Casual, implies you'll meet again. Can combine with じゃあ.

また明日 (Mata ashita) – See you tomorrow

When you'll definitely meet the next day (school, work).

バイバイ (Baibai) – Bye-bye

Borrowed from English, used casually, often by/with young people or children. Cute and informal.

失礼します (Shitsurei shimasu) – Excuse me (I'm leaving)

Formal/polite way to excuse yourself:

• Leaving a room
• Hanging up the phone
• Leaving work before others

Post-work variation: お先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) – "Excuse me for leaving first" (when leaving work before colleagues)

お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) – Great work / See you (work)

The Swiss Army knife of Japanese work culture:

• Greeting when passing colleagues
• "Hello" when answering work calls
• "Goodbye" when leaving work
• Acknowledging someone's hard work

Casual version: お疲れ！(otsukare!) – "Good job!"

Coming and Going (Home Phrases)

Japanese has specific greetings for leaving and returning home:

いってきます (Ittekimasu) – I'm leaving

Who says it: Person leaving

Meaning: "I'm going and coming back"

Said when leaving home for work, school, errands, etc.

いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) – Take care / See you later

Who says it: Person staying home

Meaning: "Go and come back safely"

The response to いってきます.

ただいま (Tadaima) – I'm home

Who says it: Person returning

Meaning: "I have returned"

Said when entering your home after being out.

おかえり (Okaeri) – Welcome back

Who says it: Person already at home

Meaning: "You've returned"

Response to ただいま.

Polite version: おかえりなさい (okaerinasai)

Example Exchange:

Person leaving: いってきます！ Family at home: いってらっしゃい！ (Later...) Person returning: ただいま！ Family at home: おかえり！

Thank You and You're Welcome

ありがとう (Arigatou) – Thank you

Formality levels:

Japanese	Romaji	Level
どうも	doumo	Very casual
ありがとう	arigatou	Casual
ありがとうございます	arigatou gozaimasu	Polite
どうもありがとうございます	doumo arigatou gozaimasu	Very polite
誠にありがとうございます	makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu	Formal/business

When to use polite forms:

• Elders
• Strangers
• Service workers
• Professional settings
• When receiving significant help/gifts

どういたしまして (Dou itashimashite) – You're welcome

The textbook response, but often sounds overly formal in casual situations.

More common responses:

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning	Context
いえいえ	ieie	Not at all	Humble deflection
大丈夫	daijoubu	It's okay	Casual
とんでもない	tondemonai	Don't mention it	Polite deflection

Apologies and Excuse Me

すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / Sorry

The ultimate multi-purpose phrase:

Uses:

1. 01Getting attention: "Excuse me!" (calling a waiter)
2. 02Light apology: "Sorry" (bumping into someone)
3. 03Thanking: Implies "Sorry to trouble you" + gratitude
4. 04Passing by: "Excuse me" (moving through a crowd)

ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai) – I'm sorry

More direct apology than すみません:

Japanese	Romaji	Level
ごめん	gomen	Casual
ごめんね	gomen ne	Casual, slightly softer
ごめんなさい	gomen nasai	Polite apology

申し訳ありません (Moushiwake arimasen) – I sincerely apologize

Formal, serious apology. Used in business or when a significant mistake was made.

Meeting for the First Time

はじめまして (Hajimemashite) – Nice to meet you

The standard "first meeting" phrase. Literally: "For the first time."

よろしくおねがいします (Yoroshiku onegai shimasu)

This complex phrase has many translations:

• "Nice to meet you" (after introduction)
• "Please treat me well"
• "I look forward to working with you"
• "Thank you in advance"

Common pattern:

1. 01はじめまして (Nice to meet you)
2. 02[Name]です ([Name] desu - I'm [Name])
3. 03よろしくおねがいします (Please treat me well)

Example:

はじめまして。田中です。よろしくおねがいします。 "Nice to meet you. I'm Tanaka. Pleased to meet you."

Phone Greetings

もしもし (Moshi moshi) – Hello? (Phone)

Used ONLY on the phone, typically when answering or checking if the other person is still there.

Note: Don't use もしもし for in-person greetings – it's phone-specific!

Business calls: Answer with your company/name instead:

はい、[会社名]の[名前]です。 Hai, [company] no [name] desu. "Hello, this is [name] from [company]."

Eating and Drinking

いただきます (Itadakimasu) – Thank you for the food

Said before eating. Literally: "I humbly receive."

Shows gratitude for:

• The food itself
• Those who prepared it
• Those who grew/raised it

ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) – Thank you for the meal

Said after eating. Shows appreciation for the meal.

Casual version: ごちそうさま (gochisousama)

Store and Service Greetings

いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase) – Welcome!

What staff say when you enter a shop or restaurant. You don't need to respond – just a nod or smile is fine!

ありがとうございました (Arigatou gozaimashita) – Thank you (past)

Used by staff when you leave. The ました ending indicates the completed transaction.

Context-Specific Greetings

おめでとうございます (Omedetou gozaimasu) – Congratulations

For achievements, birthdays, holidays, etc.

Birthday: お誕生日おめでとうございます (otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu) New Year: 明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetou gozaimasu)

お大事に (Odaiji ni) – Take care / Get well

Said to someone who is sick or injured.

頑張って (Ganbatte) – Good luck / Do your best

Encouragement before a challenge (exam, interview, competition).

Casual: 頑張れ！(ganbare!) Response: 頑張ります！(ganbarimasu!) – I'll do my best!

Greeting + Bowing Guide

Bowing accompanies greetings in Japan:

Greeting Type	Bow Depth	When
Casual (friends)	Slight nod	Everyday
Standard polite	15° bow	General situations
Respectful	30° bow	Elders, customers
Formal/apologetic	45°+ bow	Serious situations

Tips:

• Bow from the waist, not just the head
• Keep your back straight
• Men: hands at sides
• Women: hands folded in front
• Match the depth of whoever bows to you

Practice Conversations

Morning at Work

A: おはようございます！ B: おはようございます！今日もよろしくお願いします。 A: よろしくお願いします。

Meeting Someone New

A: はじめまして。田中と申します。 B: はじめまして。スミスです。 A: よろしくお願いします。 B: こちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。

Leaving a Friend

A: じゃあ、そろそろ行くね。 B: うん、またね！ A: また明日！

Returning Home

Parent: おかえり！ Child: ただいま！ Parent: 今日はどうだった？ Child: 楽しかった！

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there so many ways to say the same thing?

Japanese has many politeness levels. The same meaning can be expressed casually or formally depending on:

• Your relationship with the person
• The setting (work vs. home)
• Age differences
• Social hierarchy

Which forms should I learn first?

Start with polite forms (ございます, ます):

• Safe in any situation
• Expected from foreigners
• Never offensive

Learn casual forms after you understand when to use them.

Is さようなら really rude?

Not rude, but can feel final or dramatic. It's like saying "farewell" in English instead of "bye." Use じゃあね or またね for casual goodbyes.

Do I need to bow?

Foreigners aren't expected to bow perfectly, but a slight bow with greetings shows respect and is always appreciated!

Conclusion: Start Using Greetings Today!

Greetings are your first step into Japanese communication. Master these, and you'll make positive impressions everywhere you go.

Key takeaways: ✅ Learn time-based greetings (おはよう・こんにちは・こんばんは) ✅ Start with polite forms, learn casual later ✅ Match formality to your relationship and setting ✅ A small bow adds sincerity ✅ Don't overuse さようなら – じゃあね is more natural

Your next step: All these greetings use hiragana! Master hiragana with KanaDojo to read and remember them more easily.

がんばって！(Ganbatte!) – Good luck!

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