Background

Now that you're familiar with the basics, let's dive into some common Japanese greetings. These phrases will be your first steps into conversational Japanese, and they're essential for everyday interactions.

Click on the examples to hear the words actually being used!

1.おはようございます

Good Morning (polite)
  • This is a polite way to say good morning and is typically used until late morning.
  • Drop 'ございます' for a more casual version, just 'おはよう (Ohayou)'.
  • The casual version, 'おはよう' is often used among friends, family, or colleagues you're familiar with.
  • The polite form 'おはようございます' is suitable for more formal situations or when addressing someone you don't know well.
  • You can generally drop ございます when you're on a first-name basis with someone (friends and family).

2.おはよう

Good morning.

3.こんにちは

Good Afternoon, Hello
  • This is the most versatile and common greeting in Japanese.
  • It's used from late morning (around 11 am) until early evening (around 5-6 pm).
  • It's akin to saying 'Good afternoon' or a general 'Hello' in English.
  • You'll hear this greeting in a wide range of settings, from casual encounters to more formal situations.
  • It's a safe, go-to greeting for most daytime interactions.

4.こんばんは

Good Evening
  • Used in the evening, starting around dusk.
  • It's a polite greeting that's appropriate in both casual and formal situations.
  • Whether you're entering a restaurant in the evening, meeting someone for a night event, or just greeting your neighbor, 'こんばんは' is the suitable choice.

5.じゃあね

See you, Bye
  • This phrase is casual and friendly, often used among friends, family, or close colleagues.
  • It's equivalent to saying 'See you', 'Bye', or 'Catch you later' in English.
  • It implies an informal and easy-going parting, often when you expect to see the person again soon.
  • It's perfect for everyday casual farewells, like when leaving a café after meeting a friend or saying goodbye at the end of a school or work day.

6.またね

See you later
  • This phrase is also casual and conveys a similar sense as 'じゃあね (Jaa ne)'.
  • It's used in situations where you are expecting to see or speak to the person again in the future.
  • It's warm and friendly, suitable for parting with friends or colleagues in a casual setting.

7.ありがとうございます

Thank you (polite)
  • Polite way to say thank you.
  • If you're going for casual, drop ございます and just say "ありがとう" (it's like "thank you" vs. "thanks").

8.ありがとう

Thank you.

9.さようなら

Goodbye (for a long time)
  • This is a formal and somewhat solemn way of saying goodbye, often used when you won't see someone for a while.
  • さようなら is when the speaker does not expect to see the person spoken to before he/she turns a new page in his/her life—a long time.
  • Therefore, it's not commonly used in daily casual conversation.
  • In more everyday casual settings, phrases like 'じゃあね (Jaa ne)' or 'またね (Mata ne)' are used among friends or colleagues, with more sophisticated expressions used in the workplace that we'll explore later.

10.ようこそ

Welcome
  • This is a warm and welcoming greeting, equivalent to 'Welcome' in English.
  • It's used when greeting someone arriving at a place, such as a home, store, or event.
  • You'll often see and hear 'ようこそ' on signs, in hospitality settings, or during events.

As with any language, the context and your relationship with the person you're speaking to will guide which phrase is most appropriate.

Practice

You run into a friend in the morning while walking to the store. How do you greet them?

a) こんにちは

b) こんばんは

c) おはようございます

d) じゃあね

Which greeting would you use when leaving a casual meet-up with friends in the afternoon?

a) ありがとう

b) おはよう

c) じゃあね

d) さようなら

You say こんばんは to your teacher at 9 AM. Is this correct?

a) Yes

b) No

You've just finished a group project and want to thank everyone for their hard work. You say, '___________.

a) ありがとう

b) ありがとうございます

c) またね

d) さようなら

It's 8 PM and you are entering a restaurant. The staff greets you. You reply with:

a) おはようございます

b) こんばんは

c) こんにちは

d) じゃあね

おはよう is a formal way to say good morning.

a) True

b) False

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