
Got that down? Let's move on to Basic Japanese Greetings!
おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu)
This roughly translates as “good morning,” and is used typically in the morning hours before noon. The actual word for “morning” is not included in the phrase. However, the base word is hayai (早い), which means “early.”
こんにちわ (Konnichiwa)
Probably the most well-known Japanese greeting, konnichiwa roughly translates as “hello,” and can be used at any hour. However, this is commonly used during between 11am and 5pm. Literally meaning “today,” or more originally, “the sun,” it makes sense to use this greeting while the sun is up.
こんばんわ (Konbanwa)
After around 6pm or sunset, you can use konbanwa, which roughly translates to “good evening,” but literally means “tonight.” In contrast to konnichiwa, konbanwa sounds more formal, and most people avoid using when greeting their close acquaintances.
おやすみなさい (Oyasumi nasai)
This literally means something close to “please rest,” or “have a good rest,” but is used to mean “good night.”
さようなら/ごきげんよう (Sayōnara & gokigenyō)
Sayōnara is not used that often. Its literal meaning is “if it is so.” Even rarer these days is gokigenyō, meaning “farewell.” Among friends, more commonly heard are baibai (バイバイ), jaane (じゃあね), dewa (では) or” (またね). Mata ne (またね) simply means “see you (again)”. So to say “see you tomorrow” or “see you next week”, you can say, mata ashita (また明日) or mata raishū (また来週).
行ってきます, 行ってらしゃい (Ittekimasu & itterasshai)
The Japanese have specific greetings for leaving the house or office, which may be a new concept to non-Japanese speakers. The person who leaves says, ittekimasu, which means “I’ll go and come back;” whereas the person staying says, itterasshai, literally “please go and come back.”
ただいま, おかえり (Tadaima & okaeri)
There are also phrases for returning home or to the office. A returning person says, tadaima or tadaima modorimashita, meaning “I have come back now.” The person welcoming him/her back says, okaeri or okaerinasai, to mean “welcome back.”
もしもし, お世話 (Moshi moshi & osewa)
There is one particular greeting that is used only on the phone. You will often hear moshimoshi on the phone before the beginning of a conversation, to make sure both parties can hear the line. Similar to in-person meetings, a business caller is most likely to say osewa ni natte orimasu (お世話になっております) to show appreciation for his/her working relationship with the person on the other line.
お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)
This is probably the most commonly used greeting in the workplace but is quite difficult to translate. The origin verb tsukareru (疲れる) means “to get tired.” This greeting is generally used as a sign of recognition for hard work and mutual support, so it is usually said after work.
ようこそ, いらっしゃいませ (Yōkoso & irasshaimase)
One of the first greetings you hear or see at the airport in Japan may be yōkoso, to mean “welcome.” In stores and restaurants, on the other hand, customers are greeted by an enthusiastic irasshaimase, which is a welcome that usually does not expect a response.
Make sure to use these when the opportunity arises!
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