Japanese Greetings: Essential Phrases for Every Situation

2025/06/15

Mastering Japanese greetings is crucial for anyone learning the language or planning to visit Japan. Greetings are very important and taught from early childhood in Japan, with school kids greeting every passing student of a higher grade as a sign of respect.

Understanding when and how to use different greeting phrases will help you navigate Japanese social situations with confidence and show proper respect for Japanese culture.

Daily Common Greeting Phrases

Basic Time-Specific Greetings

おはようございます (Ohayou Gozaimasu) – “Good Morning”

This is how you say good morning in Japanese and sounds kind of like the state of Ohio. Use this greeting from early morning until around 10:30 AM. For close friends and family, you can use the more casual おはよう (Ohayou) by dropping the formal ending.

こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – “Hello/Good Afternoon”

Perhaps the most well-known Japanese greeting, this is commonly used during mid-day or in the afternoon. It’s one of the best-known Japanese greetings and is normally used when talking to someone face-to-face in the afternoon. Use it from around 11 AM to 6 PM.

こんばんは (Konbanwa) – “Good Evening”

Konbanwa translates to “good evening” in English and is a formal greeting appropriate for various social situations. Use this greeting after 6 PM when the sun has gone down.

Universal Expressions

ありがとうございます (Arigatou Gozaimasu) “Thank you very much”

Japanese people tend to express gratitude more often than some other countries, and it’s hard to overuse this phrase. For casual situations, you can simply say ありがとう (Arigatou).

すみません (Sumimasen) – “Excuse me/I’m sorry”

This is a handy basic Japanese phrase because it works in all situations – you can use it to get a waiter’s attention at a restaurant, ask for help when you get lost, or say sorry formally.

Situation-Specific Greeting Phrases

Meeting Someone New

はじめまして (Hajimemashite) – “Nice to meet you”

Hajimemashite is a very useful phrase for those learning Japanese, especially if you live in Japan or plan to travel there, because it’s used when you’re meeting someone new. It comes from the word 初め (hajime), which means beginning, and just as in English, it is used when you first meet someone.

よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu) – “Please treat me favorably/I look forward to working with you”

When meeting someone new, start with はじめまして (Hajimemashite), then say よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) to show respect and goodwill. This phrase has multiple meanings depending on context and is essential for introductions.

Phone Conversations

もしもし (Moshi-moshi) – “Hello” (phone only)

Moshi-moshi is specifically used when answering the telephone and is considered an informal phrase, appropriate when talking to friends or family rather than in professional situations.

Asking About Well-being

お元気ですか (Ogenki Desu Ka) – “How are you?”

This is the most common way to say “How are you” in Japanese, and is also a valid greeting. For more casual situations, you can drop the “O” and say 元気ですか (Genki Desu Ka).

Reconnecting with Someone

お久しぶりですね (Ohisashiburi Desu Ne) – “Long time no see”

If you run into someone that you haven’t seen in a while, you can say お久しぶりですね, which translates to “long time no see” and is commonly said to someone after going about a month or longer without seeing them.

Business Scene Greeting Phrases

Daily Workplace Greetings

おはようございます (Ohayou Gozaimasu) – “Good Morning” (workplace)

This is the first word you should say when you show up at your workplace. Most people arrive at work in the morning, but in some industries where work starts later in the day, they still use this phrase as the first greeting upon arrival, even if it’s in the afternoon or evening.

お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama Desu) – “Thank you for your hard work/Hello”

“お疲れ様です(Otsukaresama desu)” is the go-to phrase for most workplace situations. It literally means “You must be tired,” but it’s used to acknowledge someone’s hard work. This versatile greeting works when meeting or parting with colleagues, regardless of the time of day.

Client and External Business Relations

お世話になっております (Osewa ni Natte Orimasu) – “Thank you for your continued support”

When dealing with clients or business partners, お世話になっております is the standard greeting when meeting clients or business partners. It roughly translates to “Thank you for your continued support” and acknowledges the ongoing business relationship.

Workplace Departure and Return

行ってきます (Ittekimasu) – “I’m going” (when leaving office)

This is a standard greeting for when someone leaves the office to visit clients or even just to have lunch. It’s polite to announce that you’re leaving by saying いってきます (ittekimasu).

行ってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) – “Go safely” (response to someone leaving)

Those who remain in the office should respond with the phrase いってらっしゃい (itterasshai), which means “(You) go” with a respectful nuance.

ただいま (Tadaima) – “I’m back”

Used when returning to the office after being out.

お帰りなさい (Okaerinasai) – “Welcome back”

The response to someone who has returned to the office.

Formal Business Expressions

失礼いたします (Shitsurei Itashimasu) – “Excuse me for leaving/entering”

This phrase is used when entering a superior’s or client’s office and sounds more formal than the widely used すみません (sumimasen), which can sometimes be considered rude in business settings.

ご苦労様でした (Gokurousama Deshita) – “Thank you for your hard work” (from superior to subordinate)

This phrase is used to show gratitude for someone’s hard work, especially in formal work environments, and is commonly used by managers or superiors when addressing their team members.

Important Notes about Japanese Greetings

Cultural Significance and Etiquette

Japanese greetings are deeply ingrained in the country’s social fabric, reflecting both the situational context and the relationships between the people involved. Understanding these cultural nuances is essential for proper communication.

Bowing Protocol

Bowing is one of the classic touchstones of Japanese etiquette and is mostly used in situations where handshakes would be used in American-style, international business culture. Physical greetings in Japanese business culture involve more than just words. Bowing is an integral part of Japanese greetings, and except for casual situations like toasts (Kanpai), accompanying your verbal greeting with a bow shows respect and understanding of Japanese culture.

Formality Levels Matter

Japanese business interactions have cultural norms with a high degree of politeness. It’s essential to use respectful language and manners when communicating with colleagues, superiors, or clients. The level of formality in your greetings should match the situation and your relationship with the person you’re addressing.

Hierarchy and Context Awareness

A central tenet of Japanese business etiquette is always being aware of who belongs to “your group” and who is the “other.” In formal situations, you treat the “other” with higher respect than those belonging to your own group. This concept affects which greetings and level of formality you should use.

Set Phrases and Consistency

These Japanese greetings are very much customs and part of Japanese culture. They’re considered as “Japanese set phrases” or phrases you say on specific occasions. Learning these patterns will help you navigate various social situations naturally.

Practice and Application

To master Japanese greetings effectively, consistent practice is key. When using these greetings, always consider the context and the relationship between the speakers. Formal situations and interactions with superiors require more polite forms, while casual greetings can be used with close friends and family.

Remember that proper greetings in Japanese are not just about the words you say – they encompass your tone, body language, and understanding of social hierarchy. By mastering these essential phrases and their appropriate usage, you’ll be well-equipped to make positive impressions and build meaningful relationships in Japan.

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