Japanese Greetings and When to Use Them

Knowing the right Japanese greetings is one of the easiest ways to connect with people in Japan. Japanese has different greetings for different times of day, levels of politeness and situations, from leaving the house to finishing work, and using the right one shows real care and respect.

This guide explains the most common greetings, what they literally mean and exactly when to use them. Each entry includes romaji, Japanese script and a usage note. As a general rule, use the polite form with strangers, staff, older people and colleagues, and save casual forms for friends and family.

Everyday Greetings by Time of Day

• Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます) – good morning. The polite morning greeting, used until roughly mid to late morning. With friends and family, the short form ohayou (おはよう) is fine. In some workplaces, especially in entertainment and restaurants, staff use it at the start of any shift, even in the evening.
• Konnichiwa (こんにちは) – hello, good afternoon. The standard daytime greeting. Note that the final syllable is written with the character は but pronounced “wa”. It is slightly formal and is not usually used with family members you live with.
• Konbanwa (こんばんは) – good evening. Use after dark, for example when entering a restaurant or meeting a neighbour in the evening.
• Oyasumi nasai (おやすみなさい) – good night. Said before going to bed or when parting late at night. The casual version is oyasumi (おやすみ).

Meeting Someone for the First Time

• Hajimemashite (はじめまして) – nice to meet you, literally “it is the first time”. Used only at a first meeting, usually followed by your name.
• [Name] to moushimasu (［名前］と申します) – my name is [name]. A humble, polite way to introduce yourself. In casual settings, [name] desu (［名前］です) is enough.
• Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) – roughly I look forward to working with you or please treat me well. It ends most self-introductions and is used when starting any new relationship, project or favour. With friends, yoroshiku (よろしく) is fine.
• Kochira koso (こちらこそ) – likewise, the pleasure is mine. A natural reply when someone says yoroshiku onegaishimasu to you.

Checking In With People

• Ogenki desu ka? (お元気ですか) – how are you? It is used mainly when you have not seen someone for a while, not as a daily greeting like the English “how are you?”.
• Genki desu (元気です) – I am fine. Often followed by okagesama de (おかげさまで), meaning “thanks to you”, a polite and warm touch.
• Ohisashiburi desu (お久しぶりです) – long time no see. With friends, say hisashiburi (久しぶり).
• Saikin dou? (最近どう) – how have you been lately? Casual, between friends.

Saying Goodbye

Goodbyes in Japanese depend a lot on whether you expect to see the person again soon.

• Sayounara (さようなら) – goodbye. Despite being the word most learners know, it sounds quite final in daily life. Teachers and students use it at the end of the school day, but friends rarely say it to each other.
• Ja ne (じゃね) or mata ne (またね) – see you. The natural casual goodbye among friends.
• Mata ashita (また明日) – see you tomorrow.
• Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します) – excuse me, literally “I am being rude”. A polite way to leave a room, office or meeting, or to end a phone call with someone senior.
• Ki o tsukete (気をつけて) – take care. Said to someone setting off, especially on a journey.

At Home: Leaving and Returning

Japanese families use set phrases every day at the front door. Hearing them is one of the warm rhythms of life in Japan.

• Ittekimasu (行ってきます) – I am off, and I will be back. Said by the person leaving home, work or a shared space.
• Itterasshai (行ってらっしゃい) – have a good day, see you later. The reply from those staying behind.
• Tadaima (ただいま) – I am home. Said when you walk back in.
• Okaerinasai (おかえりなさい) – welcome back. The reply. Casually, okaeri (おかえり). Hotels and ryokan sometimes greet returning guests with this phrase too.
• Ojama shimasu (お邪魔します) – sorry to intrude. Said when entering someone else’s home. When leaving, say ojama shimashita (お邪魔しました).

Workplace Greetings

• Otsukaresama desu (お疲れ様です) – literally you must be tired, used to acknowledge someone’s hard work. Colleagues say it when passing in the corridor, starting a call or ending the day. It is one of the most useful phrases for anyone working in Japan.
• Otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした) – the past form, said at the end of a task, event or working day.
• Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します) – excuse me for leaving before you. Said when you leave work while others are still there.
• Omatase shimashita (お待たせしました) – sorry to keep you waiting. Used when arriving at a meeting or when serving a customer.

Phone and Online Greetings

• Moshi moshi (もしもし) – hello on the phone. Used in personal calls; in business, people usually answer with their company name instead.
• Osewa ni natte orimasu (お世話になっております) – thank you for your continued support. A standard opening in business emails and calls.

Seasonal and Special Greetings

• Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu (明けましておめでとうございます) – Happy New Year. Used from New Year’s Day, not before.
• Yoi otoshi o (良いお年を) – have a good year. Said in late December, before the New Year, when parting with people you will not see again that year.
• Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (今年もよろしくお願いします) – please treat me well again this year. Often follows the New Year greeting.
• Omedetou gozaimasu (おめでとうございます) – congratulations. Combine with occasions, such as tanjoubi omedetou (誕生日おめでとう), happy birthday.

Greetings You Will Hear in Shops

• Irasshaimase (いらっしゃいませ) – welcome. Staff say this when you enter. Customers do not reply; a nod is enough.
• Arigatou gozaimashita (ありがとうございました) – thank you (for your custom). Said as you leave. A small nod or a quick arigatou gozaimasu in return is polite.

Common Greeting Mistakes to Avoid

• Overusing sayounara. For everyday goodbyes with friends or colleagues, ja ne, mata ne or shitsurei shimasu sound more natural.
• Saying konnichiwa to family. People rarely say it to those they live with; at home, use ohayou, tadaima and okaeri instead.
• Replying to irasshaimase. Staff do not expect a spoken reply; returning the greeting can sound a little odd, though a smile is always welcome.
• Using casual forms too soon. Wait until someone uses casual speech with you before switching from polite forms.

Bowing With Greetings

Greetings in Japan usually come with a bow (ojigi, お辞儀). The deeper the bow, the more respect it shows.

• Eshaku (会釈) – a light bow of about 15 degrees, for casual greetings and passing colleagues.
• Keirei (敬礼) – about 30 degrees, for customers, superiors and formal greetings.
• Saikeirei (最敬礼) – about 45 degrees or more, for deep apologies or very formal occasions.

Quick Tips for Using Japanese Greetings

• When unsure, choose the polite form; it is never wrong with strangers.
• Do not add -san to your own name when introducing yourself.
• Keep eye contact gentle and pair greetings with a small bow.
• Listen to how people greet you and mirror their level of formality.

Final Thoughts

Japanese greetings are small rituals that structure the day, from ohayou gozaimasu in the morning to oyasumi nasai at night. Learn when to use each one, add a friendly bow, and you will find conversations in Japan start more warmly and naturally.