Japanese Greetings for Every Situation
Most learners know konnichiwa, but Japanese has a rich system of greetings that change based on time of day, social hierarchy, and setting. Mastering these greetings is your first step toward sounding natural and showing cultural respect in any Japanese conversation.
Learn from Your Home Screen
Lingo puts new words on your Home Screen with pronunciation and translations — so you learn 30 languages without even opening the app.
Why Japanese Greetings Are More Than Just "Hello"
In Japanese culture, the greeting you choose signals your awareness of the social context. Using the wrong level of politeness can make a poor first impression, while choosing the right greeting shows respect and cultural understanding. Japanese distinguishes between keigo (敬語, polite/honorific speech) and casual speech (タメ口, tameguchi), and this distinction applies from the very first word you say.
When in doubt, always use the polite form. Japanese people appreciate the effort and will never be offended by too much politeness from a learner. You can always become more casual once invited to do so.
All Essential Japanese Greetings
Here is a complete reference of the greetings covered in this guide. Study the table, then read the sections below for context on when and how to use each one.
Daily Greetings: Time-Based Expressions
The most fundamental Japanese greetings change with the time of day, just like "good morning" and "good evening" in English -- except that using the correct one is considered more important in Japanese.
おはようございます / おはよう -- Good Morning
Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます) is the polite form used with colleagues, strangers, and elders. The casual version, ohayou (おはよう), drops the "gozaimasu" and is used with close friends and family. Use these greetings from waking up until around late morning.
Interestingly, in the entertainment and service industries, ohayou gozaimasu is used as a general greeting regardless of the time of day -- even at midnight on a film set.
こんにちは -- Hello / Good Afternoon
Konnichiwa (こんにちは) is the go-to greeting from late morning through the afternoon. It works in both polite and casual settings, making it the safest all-purpose greeting for learners. Note that the last character is written は (ha) but pronounced "wa" -- a quirk from classical Japanese grammar.
The は in こんにちは is the particle は (wa), not は (ha). This is a common mistake in writing. Always write it as こんにちは, never こんにちわ.
こんばんは -- Good Evening
Konbanwa (こんばんは) takes over as the standard greeting from early evening onward. Like konnichiwa, it is appropriate in both formal and casual situations. The same は/wa spelling rule applies here as well.
Practice These Words in Lingo Widget
Home screen widgets, daily vocabulary, and 30 languages to explore.
Meeting People: First Encounters
When you meet someone for the first time in Japan, there is a specific sequence of phrases that is almost ritualistic. Getting this right makes a strong first impression.
はじめまして -- Nice to Meet You
Hajimemashite (はじめまして) literally means "for the first time" and is used exclusively when meeting someone new. It is typically the opening phrase in a self-introduction. After saying your name, you follow up with yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
よろしくお願いします -- Please Take Care of Me
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) is one of the most important phrases in Japanese and has no direct English equivalent. It expresses goodwill and a desire for a positive relationship. A typical first meeting goes like this:
はじめまして。田中です。よろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite. Tanaka desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka. Please take care of me.)
お元気ですか -- How Are You?
O-genki desu ka (お元気ですか) means "How are you?" but is used differently than in English. In Japanese, you typically only ask this when you have not seen someone in a while. Asking it every time you see a close friend would sound unnatural. It pairs well with ohisashiburi after a long absence.
Unlike in English, Japanese people do not ask "How are you?" as a routine greeting. Saying お元気ですか to someone you saw yesterday would feel odd. Reserve it for reunions after some time apart.
Special Situations
Japanese has dedicated greetings for specific situations that have no direct equivalent in English. These phrases reflect the cultural importance of acknowledging context.
ただいま / おかえりなさい -- Home Greetings
Tadaima (ただいま, "I'm home") and okaerinasai (おかえりなさい, "welcome home") are a call-and-response pair. When you arrive home, you say tadaima, and the person already home responds with okaerinasai. This exchange is deeply embedded in daily Japanese life and is one of the first things children learn.
いらっしゃいませ -- Welcome (Shops and Restaurants)
Irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ) is shouted enthusiastically by staff when you enter any shop, restaurant, or business in Japan. You do not need to respond -- a slight nod or smile is sufficient. This greeting is so ubiquitous that it becomes background noise in busy shopping areas.
お久しぶり -- Long Time No See
Ohisashiburi (お久しぶり) is the casual form, while ohisashiburi desu (お久しぶりです) adds politeness. Use it when reuniting with someone you have not seen in a while. It is often paired with o-genki desu ka to ask how they have been.
もしもし -- Hello (On the Phone)
Moshi moshi (もしもし) is used exclusively for telephone conversations. It originated as a way to prove you were human (according to folklore, ghosts and foxes cannot say it twice). Never use it for in-person greetings.
Keigo vs. Casual: Understanding Politeness Levels
The distinction between polite and casual speech runs through every aspect of Japanese, including greetings. Here is a quick guide:
| Situation | Use Keigo (Polite) | Use Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Strangers | Yes | No |
| Workplace (boss/clients) | Yes | No |
| Workplace (close colleagues) | Depends | Sometimes |
| Close friends | No | Yes |
| Family members | No | Yes |
| Elders / Senpai | Yes | No |
The key rule: start polite, then follow the other person's lead. If they switch to casual speech, you can gradually do the same. Switching to casual too early is a common mistake among learners.
Putting It All Together
Japanese greetings are your gateway to showing cultural awareness. Here is a typical day's worth of greetings:
- Morning at home: おはよう (Ohayou) to family
- Arriving at work: おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) to colleagues
- Meeting a client: はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。(Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.)
- Afternoon phone call: もしもし (Moshi moshi)
- Evening encounter: こんばんは (Konbanwa)
- Returning home: ただいま (Tadaima), answered by おかえりなさい (Okaerinasai)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common Japanese greeting?
The most common Japanese greeting is konnichiwa (こんにちは), which means "hello" and is used during the daytime. However, Japanese has many greetings that change depending on the time of day, social context, and your relationship with the person you are speaking to.
What is the difference between keigo and casual Japanese?
Keigo (敬語) is the Japanese honorific or polite speech system. It uses longer verb forms and special vocabulary to show respect. For example, ohayou gozaimasu is the polite form while ohayou is the casual form of "good morning." You use keigo with strangers, elders, bosses, and in formal settings.
When should I use "moshi moshi" versus "konnichiwa"?
Moshi moshi (もしもし) is used exclusively when answering or speaking on the telephone. It is never used as a face-to-face greeting. For in-person greetings, use konnichiwa, ohayou gozaimasu, or another appropriate greeting depending on the situation.
Is it rude to greet someone casually in Japanese?
It can be. Japanese culture places great importance on politeness levels. Using casual greetings with someone older, a stranger, or in a professional setting can come across as disrespectful. When in doubt, always default to the polite (keigo) form of a greeting.
What does "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" actually mean?
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) roughly translates to "please take care of me" or "I look forward to working with you." It is used when meeting someone for the first time, starting a new job, or asking someone for a favor. There is no direct English equivalent, making it one of the most uniquely Japanese expressions.
Practice These Words in Lingo Widget
Home screen widgets, daily vocabulary, and 30 languages to explore.