18 Japanese Greetings You Need to Know

こんにちは Konnichiwa! (Hello!)

Ready to learn some Japanese greetings? Fair warning – there’s a lot more to it than just stringing the right words together. In Japan, 挨拶 aisatsu (greetings) are fundamental to 和 wa (social harmony) – the very foundation of the culture. Using the right greetings in Japanese demonstrates respect, courtesy, and awareness of social hierarchy in every interaction.

Some common Japanese greetings, such as こんにちは Konnichiwa (Hello), are spoken daily, while others are used for specific times of day or types of encounters. Some Japanese greeting phrases are used between friends, while others are reserved for more formal salutations.

While learning how to say Good Morning or Goodbye in different languages is always useful, with Japanese, greetings offer deeper insight into the culture of respect. 

Let’s walk through some Japanese greetings and discover which ones require the added gesture of a respectful bow. 

Common Japanese Greeting Phrases for Everyday Use

Japanese greetings vary based on time of day, social setting, and levels of formality. Some are simple and casual, perfect for friends and peers, while others require a respectful tone and sometimes a bow. Here are seven of the most common Japanese greetings.

1. おはよう。 Ohayō. – Good morning.

Used casually between friends, family, or co-workers of equal status before noon.

2. おはようございます。Ohayō gozaimasu. – Good morning. (polite)

Adding ございます gozaimasu makes the greeting おはよう Ohayō formal and respectful. It’s used when showing extra politeness, like when you’re speaking to a teacher, your boss, or a stranger.

3. こんにちは。Konnichiwa. – Hello. / Good afternoon.

The most well-known Japanese greeting, こんにちは Konnichiwa, is your go-to “hello” once the morning rush is over. You can use this to greet a person for the first time, as well as to greet someone mid-day.

4. こんばんは。Konbanwa. – Good evening.

Used after sundown in both formal and informal settings.

5. もしもし。Moshi moshi. – Hello. (on the telephone only)

General greeting when answering the phone. For business calls, a simple はい Hai (yes) is preferred.

6. いらっしゃいませ。Irasshaimase. – Welcome. (to a store, restaurant, or someone’s home)

This is how a host welcomes you. You will hear this over and over while shopping, dining at a restaurant, or visiting someone’s home.

7. おつかれさまです。Otsukaresama desu. – Thanks for your hard work.

This workplace greeting in Japanese is used between co-workers or within a group of peers to say “Hello,” “Goodbye,” or to acknowledge a job well done.

Beyond the most common Japanese greetings, the following phrases pop up in specific situations. Some are charmingly polite, while others are casually cool. Here’s how to use them.

Formal vs. Informal Greetings in Japanese

Japanese greetings are deeply rooted in hierarchy and social awareness. So, rather than shaking hands – an egalitarian gesture between equals – people in Japan often add a respectful お辞儀 ojigi (bow) in many situations. There are three levels of お辞儀 ojigi, each conveying increasing levels of deference:

• 会釈 Eshaku – a small bow of 15 degrees, reserved for casual or close relationships
• 敬礼 Keirei – a deeper, 30-degree bow for business settings and formal introductions
• 最敬礼 Saikeirei – a deep, 45-degree bow used when greeting someone of much higher status, offering an apology, or expressing deep gratitude

Formal Japanese greetings are accompanied by a bow and the appropriate Japanese honorific to demonstrate respect and preserve 和 wa. These greetings are used when addressing anyone deserving extra courtesy, including someone you don’t know well, elders, superiors, and colleagues, as well as professionals such as teachers or doctors in their place of work. For instance,「あ、佐藤さん (A, Satō-san), おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu),」delivered with a 敬礼 Keirei bow, is a polite way to greet your boss, Mrs. Satō.

Informal greetings in Japanese between friends and siblings can be casual and playful. As you may learn from watching anime, おっす Ossu, and ヤッホー Yah-hoh are offered with a wave or a quick smile, but typically without お辞儀 ojigi or honorific. 

How to Respond to Greetings in Japanese

Greetings are certainly among the most useful phrases in any language, but you might need some more key phrases to keep the conversation going. After all, once you learn how to say “Hello” in different languages, you’ll need to know how to say “Goodbye,” right? Japanese greetings are no different. Once you learn them, you’ll want to know how to respond when someone greets you and how to say “goodbye.” Pretty soon, you’ll need to learn useful Japanese phrases for travel, and who knows where it ends? You’ll soon be bilingual if you’re not careful!

Fortunately, responding to Japanese greetings isn’t nearly as complex as figuring out which one to say. In most cases, you can simply mirror back the greeting. For example, if someone says 「おはよう」(“Ohayō”), just smile and say it right back. It’s a perfectly polite and expected response.

Check out a few common responses to some of the greetings we’ve already learned:

• ただいま。Tadaima. – I’m back.

If someone says this when returning home, the proper response is「 おかえりなさい」(“Okaerinasai”), or “welcome back.”

• はじめまして。Hajimemashite. – Nice to meet you. 

When someone meets you for the first time and says 「はじめまして」(“Hajimemashite”), you should reply,「はじめまして」(“Hajimemashite”) followed by「よろしくお願いします」(“Yoroshiku onegaishimasu”). This translates literally as “please take care of me,” but means you look forward to getting to know them.

• もしもし。Moshi moshi. – Hello. (on the phone)

When someone answers the phone with「もしもし」(“Moshi moshi”), you reply「もしもし」(“Moshi moshi”), and then continue the conversation.

And what if, after a flawless entrance into a conversation, you then need to make a quick exit? Here are a few ways to say “bye” in Japanese:

• さようなら。Sayoonara. – Good-bye. (formal)
• じゃあ、また！Jaa, mata! – See you later! (informal)
• またね！Matane! – See you! (informal)

With all these Japanese greetings, the proper responses, and some phrases to gracefully end the conversation, you’re ready to converse like a pro!

Mastering Japanese Greetings for Smooth Conversations

Learning Japanese greetings is an introduction to a beautiful and complex culture that prizes respect and 和 wa (peace and harmony). Once you master the greetings and proper responses, you’ll find yourself wanting more – more phrases, more insight, and more confidence. The Pimsleur Method delivers and gets you speaking, understanding, and reading Japanese in no time. More than a beginner’s guide to learning Japanese, our audio-based lessons immerse you in the language so you learn it the same way a child does – naturally. And you already have a great start with these Japanese greeting phrases.

So, whether shuffling across Tokyo’s famous Shibuya Crossing (渋谷のスクランブル Shibuya no Sukuranburu) saying,「すみません」(“Sumimasen”),  greeting a new friend with「はじめまして」(“Hajimemashite”), or just shouting「ヤッホー！」(“Yah-hoh!”) to someone across the street anime-style, you’ve made a terrific start! Now it’s time to see where the conversation leads.

Have fun!