Greetings are the easiest way to start with Japanese — and arguably the most useful. They show up dozens of times a day in Japan, and they carry a lot of weight culturally. Knowing when to say what (and to whom) signals respect, awareness, and a real interest in the language.
Whether you’re planning a trip, picking up the language for work, or just curious, these are the sixteen greetings that will actually take you the furthest. Each one comes with the kana, the romanized reading, and a quick note on when to use it.
1. Ohayou (おはよう) — Good morning (casual)
Use this with family, close friends, or anyone roughly your age and below. It’s warm and unfussy. Just “Ohayou!” on its own is perfectly fine in the morning.
2. Ohayou Gozaimasu (おはようございます) — Good morning (polite)
The polite form of the above. This is your default at work, at school, or with anyone older than you. When in doubt in the morning, this is the safer choice.
3. Konnichiwa (こんにちは) — Hello / Good afternoon
Probably the greeting most people learn first. It works from late morning through early evening and is polite enough for almost any situation.
4. Konbanwa (こんばんは) — Good evening
Once the sun starts going down, switch to konbanwa (こんばんは). It’s neutral in tone and fits both formal and friendly settings.
5. Oyasumi (おやすみ) — Good night (casual)
Said right before bed, or when parting ways late at night with friends or family. Keep it for people you’re close to.
6. Oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい) — Good night (polite)
The polite version. Use it with teachers, seniors at work, or anyone you’d normally address formally.
7. Sayounara (さようなら) — Goodbye
Literally means something like “if it is to be that way,” and it carries a sense of finality. Japanese people rarely use it among friends — it’s more common when you’re parting for a long time, or in formal situations.
8. Mata Ne (またね) — See you later
Far more common between friends than sayounara (さようなら). It’s the easy, friendly “catch you later.”
9. Ja Ne (じゃね) — Bye / See ya
Even more casual than mata ne (またね). You’ll hear it everywhere in informal conversation.
10. Arigatou (ありがとう) — Thanks
The casual “thanks.” Use it with friends, family, or anyone you’re on relaxed terms with.
11. Arigatou Gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) — Thank you (polite)
The polite version of arigatou (ありがとう). Use it at shops, with strangers, and in any professional context.
12. Sumimasen (すみません) — Excuse me / Sorry / Thanks
Sumimasen (すみません) does a lot of work. It can mean:
• “Excuse me” — to get someone’s attention or pass through a crowd.
• “Sorry” — for a small inconvenience like bumping into someone.
• “Thanks” — when someone goes out of their way for you (it doubles as polite acknowledgement of the trouble they took).
13. Gomen Nasai (ごめんなさい) — I’m sorry
A more sincere, direct apology than sumimasen (すみません). Use it when you actually mean to say sorry, not just acknowledge an inconvenience.
14. Hajimemashite (はじめまして) — Nice to meet you
Said the first time you meet someone. It typically opens a self-introduction. Note: the correct spelling is はじめまして — without an extra い.
15. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) — Please treat me kindly / Looking forward to working with you
Hard to translate cleanly, but it’s the polite phrase you tack on after introducing yourself, asking a favor, or starting a working relationship. It signals goodwill and a hope that things go well between you.
16. Itadakimasu (いただきます) — Let’s eat / Thanks for the meal
Said before eating, with hands together. It’s a small ritual of gratitude — for the food, for whoever prepared it, and for everyone who made it possible. The matching phrase after the meal is gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさまでした).
Why Greetings Matter So Much in Japan
In Japan, the right greeting at the right time is more than good manners — it’s a way of saying “I see you, and I respect this situation.” Picking the appropriate level of politeness shows three things at once:
• Respect for the person you’re speaking to.
• Awareness of the social context (work, family, strangers, friends).
• That you care enough to communicate well.
Even small, well-placed greetings build trust over time. That’s how relationships start in Japan — slowly, politely, and through small daily gestures.
Tips for Using Greetings Naturally
1. Match the formality to the situation
Japanese has multiple registers of politeness baked into the language. A safe rule: when meeting someone for the first time or in any work context, default to the polite form (ohayou gozaimasu, arigatou gozaimasu). You can always relax later — going the other direction is harder.
2. Pay attention to the time of day
Time-of-day greetings have a stricter feel in Japanese than in English. Quick guide:
• Morning — ohayou (おはよう) / ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます)
• Daytime — konnichiwa (こんにちは)
• Evening — konbanwa (こんばんは)
• Bedtime — oyasumi (おやすみ) / oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい)
3. Don’t stress the pronunciation — but do practice it
Japanese pronunciation is friendlier to English speakers than people expect. Vowels are clean and consistent, and there are no tones. The main thing is rhythm: each syllable gets roughly equal weight. Listen, repeat, and don’t worry about being perfect on day one.
4. Pick up cues from native speakers
Anime, dramas, YouTube videos, podcasts — all useful, with a small caveat: anime characters often use very casual or exaggerated speech. For greetings, news clips, interviews, and slice-of-life dramas tend to model more realistic, everyday usage.
Putting Theory Into Practice
Japanese is a language you learn by using, not just studying. The fastest way to lock these phrases in is to actually say them — even to yourself — every day. A few simple drills:
• Say ohayou (おはよう) to a friend or family member every morning, even if they don’t speak Japanese.
• Use arigatou (ありがとう) instead of “thanks” for a week.
• Try sumimasen (すみません) the next time you need to get someone’s attention.
• End the day with oyasumi (おやすみ).
Mistakes are part of it — and honestly, native speakers tend to be encouraging when they see you trying. The more you use these phrases, the less you’ll have to think about them.
Final Thoughts
Sixteen short phrases won’t make you fluent, but they’ll get you surprisingly far. They cover most of the small daily interactions you’d have in Japan, and using them properly shows the kind of respect that opens doors — socially and professionally. Start with these, use them often, and the rest of the language gets easier from there.
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