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First impressions are important and the first things out of your mouth will most likely be the way people remember and interact with you. And if you are hoping to have a good relationship with Japanese speakers, then making sure you have greetings and introductions down pat would be a good idea. The Japanese have many different ways of greeting people from polite to casual and knowing when to use which greeting is important if you want to sound more fluent and knowledgeable. So let’s get to know some important Japanese greetings and when to use them. We’ll break down the various types of greetings that exist in Japanese and the politeness level so you can know which greeting to use and with whom. Let’s get started!
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening in Japanese
The first thing when meeting someone is most likely to be the introduction greeting.
“Good morning” in Japanese
| Ohayou gozaimasu | おはようございます | (polite) |
| Ohayou | おはよう | (casual) |
| Ossu! | おっす！ | (very casual; use only in a familiar setting) |
“Good afternoon” in Japanese
| Konnichiwa | こんにちは | (polite) |
| Yahhō! | ヤッホー！ | (very casual) |
“Good evening” in Japanese
| Konbanwa | こんばんは | (an evening greeting) |
“Good night” in Japanese
| Oyasuminasai | おやすみなさい | (polite) |
| Oyasumi | おやすみ | (casual) |
“Goodbye” in Japanese
| Sayonara | さよなら | (polite) |
| Ja, mata ne! | じゃ、またね | (casual) |
| Bye bye | バイバイ | (super casual) |
“Hello” in Japanese ( on the phone only)
| Yes, this is Smith from Portex Co. | Hai, Portex Company no Smith desu | はい、ポーテクス会社のスミスです |
| Hello | Moshi Moshi | もしもし |
First Encounters
If you are meeting someone for the first time, it would be appropriate to greet someone and introduce yourself. Here is a good way to start a conversation with someone you have first contact with:
Polite
| Good morning. | Ohayo Gozaimasu | おはようございます |
| Nice to meet you. | Hajimemashite | はじめまして |
| I am John Wright. | John Wright to moushimasu. | ジョン・ライトともうします |
| I come from New York, America. | America no New York kara kimashita. | アメリカのニューヨークからきました。 |
| I look forward to working with you. | Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu. | よろしくお願いします。 |
Casual
| Morning! | Ohayo | おはよう |
| Nice to meet you. | Hajimemashite | はじめまして |
| I’m John Wright. | John Wright desu. | ジョンライトです |
| An American from New York. | New York no Americajin desu | ニューヨークのアメリカ人です |
| Great to meet you. | Yoroshiku! | よろしく！ |
Useful Greetings in Japanese
Once you have the first greetings out of the way, you most likely want to be able to have basic greetings and small talk that is popular among people when they first start a conversation. Here are some of the most popular things people say to each other when they first meet.
“How are you?” in Japanese
| O genki desu ka? | お元気ですか | (polite) |
| Genki desu ka? | 元気ですか | (polite; without お) |
| Genki? | 元気？ | (super casual) |
“Long time, no see!” in Japanese
| Gobusatashiteorimasu | ごぶさたしております | (very polite) |
| Hisashiburi desu | ひさしぶりです | (polite) |
| Hisashiburi | ひさしぶり | (casual) |
“How’s it going?” in Japanese
| Choushi wa dou desu ka? | ちょうしはどうですか？ | (polite) |
| Choushi dou? | ちょうしどう？ | (casual) |
“Nice weather, eh?”
| Ii tenki desu ne? | いいてんきですね？ | (polite) |
| Ii tenki da ne? | いいてんきだね？ | (casual) |
Coming and Going
In Japan there are special phrases used when leaving or arriving at work or home as well. Sometimes you need to leave early before others in your workplace which requires a special parting greeting while other times you need to thank others for the work they have done.
Here are some important phrases you should get used to hearing and using if you are going to be working or living in Japan.
| Good morning! I am starting work. | Ohayou Gozaimasu! Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu. | おはようございます！よろしくおねがいします |
| Thanks for your work; a greeting acknowledging someone’s effort | Otsukaresama desu | おつかれさまです |
| I am stepping out for a bit | Ittekimasu | いってきます |
| Take care while you are gone | Itterasshai | いってらっしゃい |
| I am back | Tadaima | ただいま |
| Welcome back | Okaerinasai | おかえりなさい |
| Thanks for all your hard work | Otsukaresama deshita | おつかれさまでした |
| I am leaving work before you | Osakini shitsurei shimasu. | おさきにしつれいします |
Choose the phrase for the situation. いってきます and いってらっしゃい accompany leaving and returning; ただいま and おかえりなさい are especially familiar at home. お疲れ様です acknowledges work or effort and can be a workplace greeting. よろしくお願いします asks for cooperation or goodwill; it is not an interchangeable greeting whenever you pass someone.
Knowing these phrases will go a long way both in the workplace or in any situation where you are placed with a group of Japanese people. Especially the phrases Otsukaresama desu (おつかれさまです） and Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu （よろしくおねがいします）which are used constantly throughout the day as greetings when you pass each other.
Saying Sorry and Thank You in Japanese
Another important greeting or phrase that you need to know is saying excuse me, sorry and thank you! There are many situations where you can use these important phrases and they should definitely be in your front pocket of words to remember in Japanese.
“Thank you” in Japanese
| どうもありがとうございます | (polite) | |
| ありがとう | (casual) | |
| どうも ( | super casual) |
“Sorry” in Japanese
| Moushiwake arimasen | もうしわけありません | (very polite) |
| Gomennasai | ごめんなさい | (polite) |
| Gomen ne | ごめんね | (casual) |
| Gomen | ごめん | (super casual) |
“Excuse me” in Japanese
| Mendō o kakete sumimasen | めんどうをかけてすみません | (polite apology for causing trouble) |
| Sumimasen | すみません | (polite) |
| Shitsurei shimasu | しつれいします | (polite) |
Bowing in Japanese
Bowing commonly accompanies greetings, thanks and apologies in Japan. The gesture depends on the relationship and setting; a small nod often fits an everyday greeting. Observe the people around you rather than applying one fixed depth rule to everyone.
However for someone of importance like a boss or high ranking individual, most Japanese will bow much lower to show respect. There are so many times and reasons to bow my rule is when in doubt, bow. Here are some common situations where you will bow. Depending on the situation the bow can be just a slight nod of the head all the way to a deep bow of respect.
- When meeting a friend, family or coworker
- When entering a meeting or office
- When thanking someone for something
- When apologizing for something
- When saying goodbye
- When a boss, teacher or manager start or finish a meeting
- Before and after introducing yourself at a meeting or gathering
- Before and after giving a speech or presentation
Conclusion
These phrases and a considerate manner can help with introductions. Start with a polite form when unsure, listen to how others address you, and use casual language when the relationship supports it. A mistake does not have one predictable response from every Japanese speaker.
As a foreigner, Japanese people will forgive you if you accidentally use a casual phrase instead of a polite phrase if your appearance and expression is genuine and open. Bowing and showing respect is always a good way to ensure your intentions are clear and it’s always better to start a little more formal in your greetings to show respect.
Once you have created a good bond with the person you will be able to better read your relationship and going forward can use casual Japanese.
Usage notes: 元気ですか is still polite because it uses です; 元気？ is casual. お元気ですか is often used after some time apart. さようなら can suggest a longer parting, so it is not the default goodbye for every encounter. もしもし is common on personal phone calls; business calls often begin with the organization and name.
