Japanese Greetings: The Complete Guide
Greetings are the first thing you use in any conversation, so getting them right matters. Japanese has different greetings depending on the time of day, how well you know someone, and whether you're in a casual or formal situation. Here's everything you need to know.
Basic Japanese Greetings
These are the greetings you'll use every single day. Start with these and you'll cover most situations.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | おはようございます | ohayou gozaimasu | Good morning (polite) |
| おはよう | おはよう | ohayou | Good morning (casual) |
| こんにちは | こんにちは | konnichiwa | Hello / Good afternoon |
| こんばんは | こんばんは | konbanwa | Good evening |
| おやすみなさい | おやすみなさい | oyasumi nasai | Good night (polite) |
| おやすみ | おやすみ | oyasumi | Good night (casual) |
| さようなら | さようなら | sayounara | Goodbye (formal, final) |
| じゃあね | じゃあね | jaa ne | See ya / Bye (casual) |
| またね | またね | mata ne | See you later |
| またあとで | またあとで | mata ato de | See you later today |
When to Use Konnichiwa (and When Not To)
In an office, for example, people say おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) when they arrive, regardless of what time it actually is, because it doubles as a "I'm here and ready to work" greeting. Similarly, when leaving, お先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) — "excuse me for leaving first" — is the standard office farewell.
Konnichiwa is perfectly correct and widely understood, so use it without worry. Just know that in close-knit Japanese communities, it can occasionally feel a touch formal between people who know each other well.
How Are You and Nice to Meet You
These phrases come up constantly when meeting people or reconnecting with someone you haven't seen in a while.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| お元気ですか | おげんきですか | o-genki desu ka | How are you? (polite) |
| 元気？ | げんき？ | genki? | How are you? / You good? (casual) |
| 元気です | げんきです | genki desu | I'm fine / I'm well |
| はじめまして | はじめまして | hajimemashite | Nice to meet you (first meeting) |
| よろしくお願いします | よろしくおねがいします | yoroshiku onegai shimasu | Please treat me well / Nice to meet you |
| よろしく | よろしく | yoroshiku | Nice to meet you / Thanks (casual) |
| お久しぶりです | おひさしぶりです | o-hisashiburi desu | Long time no see (polite) |
| 久しぶり | ひさしぶり | hisashiburi | Long time no see (casual) |
Hajimemashite and Yoroshiku: Meeting Someone for the First Time
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu is one of those Japanese phrases that doesn't have a clean English translation. It's somewhere between "nice to meet you," "I'm in your hands," and "please be good to me." It carries a sense of building a relationship and asking the other person to look favorably on you. In casual settings, よろしく (yoroshiku) on its own works fine.
You'll also use yoroshiku onegai shimasu at the end of emails, after making a request, or when handing off a task to someone. It's incredibly versatile.
A First Meeting in Japanese
Here's what a first introduction sounds like in a semi-formal setting:
はじめまして。田中と申します。どうぞよろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite. Tanaka to moushimasu. Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Tanaka. I look forward to getting to know you."
Business and Formal Greetings
If you're working with Japanese companies or in professional settings, these are essential.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| お世話になっております | おせわになっております | o-sewa ni natte orimasu | Thank you for your continued support (email/business opener) |
| お先に失礼します | おさきにしつれいします | osaki ni shitsurei shimasu | Excuse me for leaving first (leaving work before others) |
| お疲れ様です | おつかれさまです | o-tsukare sama desu | Good work / Thanks for your effort |
| いらっしゃいませ | いらっしゃいませ | irasshaimase | Welcome! (said by staff to customers) |
| 行ってきます | いってきます | itte kimasu | I'm heading out (said when leaving home) |
| 行ってらっしゃい | いってらっしゃい | itte rasshai | Have a safe trip (response to itte kimasu) |
| ただいま | ただいま | tadaima | I'm home! |
| お帰りなさい | おかえりなさい | o-kaeri nasai | Welcome home (response to tadaima) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Greetings
Is sayounara really that final?
Kind of, yes. Sayounara has a sense of finality that makes it feel heavy for everyday goodbyes. In day-to-day life, Japanese people are more likely to say jaa ne, mata ne, or mata ashita (see you tomorrow). Save sayounara for longer separations.
What does otsukaresama desu actually mean?
Literally it means something like "you must be tired" or "thank you for your hard work." It's used constantly in Japanese workplaces as a general greeting among coworkers throughout the day, not just at the end of it. It's a way of acknowledging someone's effort.
Should I bow when greeting people?
In person, yes, a small bow is natural and polite. The depth depends on the formality of the situation. With friends, a nod is fine. With a new business contact, a more deliberate 15-30 degree bow is appropriate. You don't need to go overboard.
Do Japanese people actually say o-genki desu ka in real life?
It's more common in formal settings or when reconnecting with someone you haven't seen in a while. Casual everyday greetings don't usually involve asking how someone is doing, similar to how English speakers say "hey" without expecting a real answer to "how are you?"
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