Essential Japanese Greetings

Hello by the clock

Japanese swaps its hello as the day goes on. Use the right one and you instantly sound like you know what you're doing.

1. 1 おはようございます ohayou gozaimasu — Good morning (polite)
2. 2 こんにちは konnichiwa — Hello, good afternoon
3. 3 こんばんは konbanwa — Good evening

First meetings and checking in

はじめまして is reserved for the very first time you meet someone — after that, you graduate to asking how they are.

1. 4 はじめまして hajimemashite — Nice to meet you
2. 5 はじめまして、よろしくおねがいします。 hajimemashite, yoroshiku onegaishimasu — Nice to meet you, please treat me well

   The full self-introduction set phrase — say it after giving your name.

3. 6 おげんきですか ogenki desu ka — How are you?
4. 7 げんきです genki desu — I'm fine

Magic words

Thanks, sorry and everything in between. Japan runs on these five — you'll hear them dozens of times a day.

1. 8 ありがとう arigatou — Thank you (casual)
2. 9 どういたしまして douitashimashite — You're welcome
3. 10 すみません sumimasen — Excuse me, sorry
4. 11 ごめんなさい gomen nasai — I'm sorry
5. 12 しつれいします shitsurei shimasu — Pardon me (entering or leaving)

Goodbyes

Match the goodbye to the situation: casual for friends you'll see soon, formal for real partings, and one just for bedtime.

1. 13 またね mata ne — See you later
2. 14 さようなら sayounara — Goodbye

   More final than the English word — for everyday partings, またね is the natural choice.

3. 15 おやすみなさい oyasuminasai — Good night

In real life: meeting someone for the first time