How to Say Hello in Japanese: Greetings, Bowing and Goodbyes

The standard way to say hello in Japanese is “Konnichiwa” (こんにちは), and it works from late morning until the early evening. Japanese has different greetings for different times of day, so the full answer is: “Ohayou gozaimasu” in the morning, “Konnichiwa” in the day, and “Konbanwa” in the evening.

• Good morning

  おはようございます

  Ohayou gozaimasu

  Until about late morning. Polite, so safe with everyone.
• Hello

  こんにちは

  Konnichiwa

  The everyday greeting for the daytime.
• Good evening

  こんばんは

  Konbanwa

  From the early evening onwards.

Hello by time of day

Japanese greetings follow the clock, but they are not strict. People do not check their watch. They simply say what feels right.

• Morning (until about 10 or 11 am): Ohayou gozaimasu. To friends and family you can shorten it to Ohayou.
• Daytime: Konnichiwa. Notice that the final syllable is written with the character は (ha) but is pronounced “wa”.
• Evening: Konbanwa. Same spelling note: the last syllable is pronounced “wa”.
• Going to bed: Oyasumi nasai means “good night”, but it is said when someone is going to bed, not as a hello in the evening.

Between friends, many Japanese people do not say konnichiwa much at all. A casual “Doumo” is common, and it can mean hi, thanks or a small sorry, depending on the moment.

• Good night

  おやすみ

  Oyasumi

  Casual. Add "nasai" (おやすみなさい, Oyasumi nasai) to be polite.
• Hi / thanks / sorry (casual)

  どうも

  Doumo

  A flexible word for friends and shop staff. Meaning depends on the moment.
• Good morning (casual)

  おはよう

  Ohayou

  For friends and family only.

Bowing and body language

You do not need to bow deeply as a visitor. A small nod, or a slight bow from the waist, as you say the greeting is polite and welcome. Do not worry about getting the angle exactly right.

• Handshakes are not the usual Japanese greeting, but many people will shake hands with visitors if offered.
• Hugging and kissing are not used when greeting.
• You will hear Irasshaimase (“welcome”) when you walk into a shop or restaurant. You do not need to reply.

• Welcome

  いらっしゃいませ

  Irasshaimase

  What staff say when you walk in. A nod is enough as a reply.

Saying goodbye

Many visitors learn “Sayounara” first, but it is more final than you might expect. It is the word for a longer parting, such as the end of a school year or a long trip. In daily life, Japanese people usually say something else.

• Goodbye

  さようなら

  Sayounara

  Correct, but it sounds final. Save it for longer partings.
• See you later

  またね

  Mata ne

  Casual. Good with friends.
• See you tomorrow

  また明日

  Mata ashita
• Excuse me for leaving (polite)

  失礼します

  Shitsurei shimasu

  Said when you leave a room, an office or a conversation. Also used to end a phone call.
• Take care

  気をつけて

  Ki o tsukete

  Friendly and warm.

Please, thank you and sorry

These small words will do more for you than any other phrase in the language.

• Thank you

  ありがとうございます

  Arigatou gozaimasu

  Polite. Safe in every situation.
• Thank you (casual)

  ありがとう

  Arigatou

  For friends and family.
• Thank you very much

  どうもありがとうございます

  Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
• You're welcome

  どういたしまして

  Dou itashimashite

  Often replaced by a smile and a nod in daily life.
• Please

  お願いします

  Onegai shimasu

  Used when asking for something. "Onegai shimasu" is the polite form.
• Excuse me

  すみません

  Sumimasen

  Gets attention, says sorry and also says thank you, all in one word.
• I'm sorry

  ごめんなさい

  Gomen nasai

  A personal apology, stronger than "Sumimasen".

Introducing yourself

When you meet someone for the first time, you say Hajimemashite, give your name, and finish with Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. The last phrase has no exact English translation. It means roughly “Please treat me kindly” and is the usual ending to an introduction.

• Nice to meet you

  はじめまして

  Hajimemashite

  Only used the first time you meet someone.
• My name is...

  私の名前は...です

  Watashi no namae wa... desu

  Put your name in place of the dots. Then bow slightly.
• Pleased to meet you (the usual ending)

  どうぞよろしくお願いします

  Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu
• I am from (country)

  (国名)から来ました

  (Country) kara kimashita

  For example "Amerika kara kimashita" (I am from America) or "Igirisu kara kimashita" (the UK).
• How are you?

  お元気ですか

  Ogenki desu ka

  Used more among people who know each other than with strangers.
• I'm fine, thank you

  元気です、ありがとう

  Genki desu, arigatou

  The usual answer.

Pronunciation in one minute

• Vowels: a, i, u, e, o sound like ah, ee, oo, eh, oh.
• “wa” in konnichiwa and konbanwa: written with は, pronounced “wa”.
• Long vowels: “ou” and “uu” are held a little longer, as in ohayou and arigatou.
• “Gozaimasu” sounds like “gozaimas”. The last “u” is almost silent.
• Every syllable gets about the same weight. There is no strong stress.

Common mistakes

1. Using “Sayounara” for everyday goodbyes. It sounds final. Use “Mata ne” with friends or “Shitsurei shimasu” in formal moments.
2. Saying “Konnichiwa” in the early morning or late at night. Use “Ohayou gozaimasu” in the morning and “Konbanwa” in the evening.
3. Leaving out “gozaimasu”. “Ohayou” and “Arigatou” alone are casual. With strangers, add it.
4. Hugging or kissing as a greeting. A nod or small bow is enough.
5. Worrying too much. Japanese people are glad when visitors try, even with one or two words.

More for your trip

Once you can say hello, the next phrases you will need are in our Japanese phrases for travel. If you are going to eat out, read how to order food in Japanese.