Japanese for Travelers
Basic Japanese Greetings
The All-Purpose Hello
If you learn only one greeting in Japanese, this is the one. It’s a polite and friendly way to say hello to almost anyone during the daytime.
Hello
Think of こんにちは (Konnichiwa) as your go-to greeting from late morning until just before evening.
Time-Specific Greetings
Just like in English, Japanese has specific greetings for the morning and evening. Using the right one shows you're paying attention and is considered polite.
When you wake up or meet someone for the first time before noon, this is the standard phrase to use. It’s bright and cheerful.
Good morning
Among friends or family, you can shorten this to just おはよう (Ohayou), which is more casual.
Once the sun starts to set, it's time to switch to the evening greeting. You'd use this when meeting someone for dinner or just passing them on the street at night.
Good evening
Polite Expressions
Knowing how to say goodbye and thank you are essential in any language. They're simple ways to show respect and appreciation.
While many people learn さようなら (Sayounara) for "goodbye," it can sometimes sound very final, as if you won't be seeing the person again for a long time. It's not wrong, but it's less common in casual, everyday situations.
Goodbye
For a more casual farewell to friends, you might hear じゃあね (Ja ne) or またね (Mata ne), which are closer to "See you later!"
Finally, expressing gratitude is highly valued in Japanese culture. This phrase is the polite and universally appropriate way to say "thank you."
Thank you
Like "good morning," this can be shortened in casual settings. With close friends, you can simply say ありがとう (Arigatou).
Ready to check your understanding?
What is the most versatile and polite Japanese greeting to use during the daytime?
You are meeting a colleague for a business lunch at 1 PM. Which greeting is the most appropriate?