Japanese Greetings Made Easy: Formal, Casual & Polite Phrases Compared
Saying “hello” in Japanese is not one word – it is a small decision. Who are you talking to? What time is it? Are you arriving, leaving or meeting someone for the first time? This beginner-friendly guide turns those questions into simple tables, side-by-side comparisons and pictures, so you can greet anyone in Japan with confidence.
Quick answer: The most common Japanese greeting is こんにちは (konnichiwa, “hello”). Use おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu) in the morning, こんばんは (konbanwa) in the evening, and はじめまして (hajimemashite) when you meet someone for the first time. Add a light bow, and choose the polite form whenever you are unsure.
Why Greetings Matter So Much in Japan
In English, “hi” works for your best friend and your boss. Japanese is different. A greeting quietly signals your relationship with the other person – how close you are, who is older, and whether the setting is personal or professional. Getting it right makes you sound respectful and natural. Getting it wrong rarely offends visitors, but it can feel a little awkward.
The good news: you only need a handful of phrases and one simple rule. When in doubt, be polite. Japanese people will happily tell you when you can relax.
The Politeness Ladder Explained
Think of Japanese greetings as three steps on a ladder. Most learners start in the middle step and move up or down as the situation demands.
The formal top step uses keigo (honorific language). You don’t need to master it as a beginner, but it helps to recognise it. For a deeper look, see this overview of honorific speech in Japanese.
Basic Japanese Greetings at a Glance
These are the everyday phrases you will hear the moment you land in Japan – in hotels, trains, shops and classrooms.
| Japanese | Say it like | Meaning | Level | Best used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| こんにちは | kon-nee-chee-wah | Hello / Good afternoon | Polite | Daytime, almost anyone |
| おはようございます | oh-hah-yoh go-zai-mas | Good morning | Polite | Mornings, arriving at work |
| こんばんは | kon-bahn-wah | Good evening | Polite | After dark |
| はじめまして | hah-jee-meh-mah-shteh | Nice to meet you | Polite | First meeting only |
| よろしくおねがいします | yoh-roh-shkoo oh-neh-gai-shee-mas | “Please treat me kindly” | Polite | After introductions, starting work together |
| おげんきですか | oh-gen-kee des-kah | How are you? | Polite | People you haven’t seen for a while |
| おひさしぶりです | oh-hee-sah-shee-boo-ree des | Long time no see | Polite | Reunions |
| おやすみなさい | oh-yah-soo-mee nah-sai | Good night | Polite | Before bed only |
Casual vs Polite: Side-by-Side Pairs
Here is the easiest way to learn Japanese greetings: study them in pairs. In many cases, the polite version is simply the casual word plus a polite ending.
| English | Casual (friends) | Polite (everyone else) | What changes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good morning | おはよう ohayō | おはようございます ohayō gozaimasu | Add gozaimasu |
| Thank you | ありがとう arigatō | ありがとうございます arigatō gozaimasu | Add gozaimasu |
| Good night | おやすみ oyasumi | おやすみなさい oyasuminasai | Add nasai |
| How are you? | げんき？ genki? | おげんきですか o-genki desu ka | Add o- and desu ka |
| Long time no see | ひさしぶり hisashiburi | おひさしぶりです ohisashiburi desu | Add o- and desu |
| Nice to meet you (after intro) | よろしく yoroshiku | よろしくおねがいします yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Add onegaishimasu |
| Bye / See you | じゃあね・またね jā ne / mata ne | しつれいします shitsurei shimasu | Different phrase entirely |
Extra-casual greetings you will hear
やあ (yā) and よう (yō) work like “hey”. おっす (ossu) is a very rough “yo”, mostly used among young men and in sports clubs. どうも (dōmo) is a flexible little word that can mean “hi”, “thanks” or “sorry” depending on the moment. Enjoy hearing these, but save them for close friends.
Greetings by Time of Day
English “hello” works all day. Japanese greetings change with the clock, a bit like “good morning” and “good evening” – but Japanese speakers take the switch much more seriously.
Remember: oyasuminasai is not “good evening”. It is only said when you or the other person is going to sleep, much like “good night” in English.
Meeting, Leaving and Coming Home
How to introduce yourself the first time
A Japanese self-introduction (jikoshōkai) follows a neat four-step pattern:
- Give a light bow.
- Say はじめまして (hajimemashite) – “nice to meet you”.
- Say your name: 〇〇です ([name] desu) – “I am ___”.
- Finish with よろしくおねがいします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) and bow again.
Example: Hajimemashite. Priya desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Short, polite and perfect.
Goodbyes compared
| Phrase | Feeling | Use it when… |
|---|---|---|
| さようなら sayōnara | Final, a little formal | You won’t see the person for a long time (teachers at the end of a school day also use it) |
| またね mata ne | Warm, casual | You’ll see a friend again soon |
| じゃあね jā ne | Relaxed | Everyday “bye” among friends |
| しつれいします shitsurei shimasu | Polite | Leaving an office, a room, or ending a phone call |
| おさきにしつれいします osaki ni shitsurei shimasu | Very polite | Leaving work before your colleagues |
| バイバイ bai bai | Playful | Kids and close friends |
Bonus: greetings at home
These pairs are used daily in Japanese homes and appear constantly in anime and dramas:
| Situation | Person leaving / arriving says | Person at home replies |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving home | いってきます ittekimasu – “I’m off” | いってらっしゃい itterasshai – “Take care” |
| Coming home | ただいま tadaima – “I’m home” | おかえりなさい okaerinasai – “Welcome back” |
| Answering the phone | もしもし moshi moshi – “Hello?” (phone only, not face to face) | |
Workplace and Business Greetings
Japanese offices have their own greeting culture. Learn these three and you will sound professional from day one:
- おつかれさまです (otsukaresama desu) – literally “you must be tired”, used like “thanks for your hard work”. Colleagues say it all day: in the corridor, at the start of a meeting, when someone leaves.
- おせわになっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) – “thank you for your continued support”. The standard opening line of business emails and phone calls.
- いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) – “welcome”, said by shop and restaurant staff. Customers don’t repeat it; a small nod or smile is enough.
Bowing: The Silent Greeting
In Japan, a bow (ojigi) often says as much as the words. There are three main levels, and the deeper and longer the bow, the more respect it shows.
Simple bowing rules for beginners
- Bend from the waist, keep your back straight and eyes lowered.
- Men usually keep hands at their sides; women often fold hands in front.
- If someone offers a handshake, shake hands – many Japanese professionals mix both.
- A natural, sincere bow matters more than a perfect angle.
The Japan National Tourism Organization also shares handy etiquette tips for first-time visitors, and you can read about the history of the custom in this article on bowing in Japan.
Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes
| Mistake | Why it’s a problem | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Saying ohayō to your teacher or manager | Sounds too casual | Use ohayō gozaimasu |
| Using sayōnara for every goodbye | Can feel final or distant | Friends: mata ne. Work: shitsurei shimasu |
| Saying oyasuminasai as “good evening” | It means “sleep well” | Use konbanwa in the evening |
| Saying moshi moshi in person | It’s a phone-only hello | Face to face, say konnichiwa |
| Using gokurōsama with seniors | Talks down to them | Use otsukaresama desu |
| Translating English greetings word for word | Many don’t exist in Japanese | Learn phrases by situation, not by translation |
A 7-Day Practice Plan for Japanese Greetings
Ten minutes a day is enough to make these greetings automatic.
- Day 1: Learn the three time-of-day greetings and say them aloud at the right times.
- Day 2: Practise the casual–polite pairs from the comparison table.
- Day 3: Write and rehearse your self-introduction with a bow in front of a mirror.
- Day 4: Learn the goodbyes and the home greetings (ittekimasu, tadaima).
- Day 5: Watch a Japanese show or anime and note every greeting you hear.
- Day 6: Role-play workplace greetings: arriving, meeting, leaving early.
- Day 7: Try them with a real person – a tutor, a language-exchange partner or a class.
Free listening practice is available from NHK World’s Easy Japanese lessons. Once greetings feel easy, expand into everyday common Japanese phrases for beginners.
Should You Learn Japanese With a Course?
Greetings are easy to learn from a blog. Speaking naturally – with the right pitch, pace and politeness level – is much easier with a teacher who corrects you in real time. A structured course also helps if you are aiming for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), study in Japan, or a job with a Japanese company.
| Self-study | Guided course |
|---|---|
| Free and flexible | Clear path from beginner to JLPT levels |
| No feedback on pronunciation | Live correction from trainers |
| Easy to lose motivation | Regular classes keep you consistent |
| Culture learned piece by piece | Etiquette and culture built into lessons |
Ready to go beyond “konnichiwa”?
Kazumi Japanese & Culture School by Henry Harvin offers live online classes, JLPT preparation and Japanese culture training for beginners and professionals.
Explore the Japanese course See JLPT preparationFinal Thoughts
Japanese greetings follow a friendly logic: pick your phrase by the time of day, adjust it for the person in front of you, and add a small bow. Start with the polite forms – ohayō gozaimasu, konnichiwa, konbanwa, hajimemashite and yoroshiku onegaishimasu – and relax into casual forms as friendships grow. Practise a little each day and these phrases will soon feel as natural as “hello”.
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- How to Say Hello in Different Languages
- Best Foreign Languages to Learn in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common greeting in Japanese?
こんにちは (konnichiwa) is the most common all-purpose greeting. It means “hello” and is used from late morning until evening.
What is the difference between ohayō and ohayō gozaimasu?
Both mean “good morning”. Ohayō is casual and used with friends and family; ohayō gozaimasu is polite and used with teachers, colleagues, customers and strangers.
Is konnichiwa formal or casual?
Konnichiwa is polite and neutral. It suits strangers, shopkeepers and acquaintances. Close friends often skip it and use casual greetings instead.
How do you say goodbye in Japanese?
Use mata ne or jā ne with friends, shitsurei shimasu in polite or work situations, and sayōnara when you won’t see someone for a long time.
What should I say when meeting someone for the first time?
Say hajimemashite, then your name followed by desu, and finish with yoroshiku onegaishimasu along with a light bow.
Do I have to bow when greeting people in Japan?
A light bow is expected in most greetings, but visitors are not judged on perfect technique. A sincere 15–30° bow is always appropriate, and handshakes are common in business with foreigners.