必学的Japanese问候语

Hello by the clock

Japanese swaps its hello as the day goes on. Use the right one and you instantly sound like you know what you're doing.

1. 1 おはようございます ohayou gozaimasu — Good morning (polite)
2. 2 こんにちは konnichiwa — Hello, good afternoon
3. 3 こんばんは konbanwa — Good evening

First meetings and checking in

はじめまして is reserved for the very first time you meet someone — after that, you graduate to asking how they are.

1. 4 はじめまして hajimemashite — Nice to meet you
2. 5 はじめまして、よろしくおねがいします。 hajimemashite, yoroshiku onegaishimasu — Nice to meet you, please treat me well

   The full self-introduction set phrase — say it after giving your name.

3. 6 おげんきですか ogenki desu ka — How are you?
4. 7 げんきです genki desu — I'm fine

Magic words

Thanks, sorry and everything in between. Japan runs on these five — you'll hear them dozens of times a day.

1. 8 ありがとう arigatou — Thank you (casual)
2. 9 どういたしまして douitashimashite — You're welcome
3. 10 すみません sumimasen — Excuse me, sorry
4. 11 ごめんなさい gomen nasai — I'm sorry
5. 12 しつれいします shitsurei shimasu — Pardon me (entering or leaving)

Goodbyes

Match the goodbye to the situation: casual for friends you'll see soon, formal for real partings, and one just for bedtime.

1. 13 またね mata ne — See you later
2. 14 さようなら sayounara — Goodbye

   More final than the English word — for everyday partings, またね is the natural choice.

3. 15 おやすみなさい oyasuminasai — Good night

In real life: meeting someone for the first time