{"id":106879,"date":"2024-01-16T22:05:34","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T03:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/hello-in-japanese\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T18:59:08","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T23:59:08","slug":"hello-in-japanese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/hello-in-japanese\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Say Hello in Japanese: 25 Greetings for Different Occasions [With Audio]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every friendship and conversation begins with a “hello.”<\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn how to say hello in Japanese at various degrees of formality<\/a>, so you can greet everyone from your closest friend to your boss.<\/p>\n

Plus, you’ll find out when to use each new term and see examples of how they’re used in context.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let’s begin\u2014or as we say in Japanese, \u59cb\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046 (\u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01) \u2014 Hajimemash\u014d!
\n[fluentu-toc]
\n<\/p>\n

How to Say Hello in Formal Situations<\/h2>\n

\"man-and-woman-waving-to-each-other-2\"<\/p>\n

1. Konnichiwa<\/em> \u2014 Hello \/ Good afternoon<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f<\/p>\n

This is the classic “hello” you may already be familiar with. It’s a way of greeting someone that’s appropriate for almost all occasions.<\/p>\n

Since this word technically means “good afternoon,” it’s mostly used in the time between morning and evening.<\/p>\n

\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\u3001\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\u3001\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Konnichiwa, genki desu ka?<\/em> (Hello, how are you?)<\/p>\n

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2. Ohay\u014d gozaimasu<\/em> \u2014 Good morning<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059<\/p>\n

This is the formal way of saying “good morning.” It’s used when meeting with a superior or someone you don’t know well in the early hours.<\/p>\n

See #12 on the list for the informal version.<\/p>\n

\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3001\u4eca\u65e5\u3082\u9811\u5f35\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01 (\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3001\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3082\u304c\u3093\u3070\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01) \u2014 Ohay\u014d gozaimasu, ky\u014d mo ganbarimash\u014d!<\/em> (Good morning, let’s do our best today!)<\/p>\n

3. Konbanwa<\/em> \u2014 Good evening<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3053\u3093\u3070\u3093\u306f<\/p>\n

You can use this phrase when greeting someone in the evening. You wouldn’t use it as a send-off when saying “good night”<\/a> to someone (you do that with \u304a\u3084\u3059\u307f\u306a\u3055\u3044 or\u00a0oyasuminasai<\/em>.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u3053\u3093\u3070\u3093\u306f\u3001\u3086\u3063\u304f\u308a\u4f11\u3093\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u306d\u3002 (\u3053\u3093\u3070\u3093\u306f\u3001\u3086\u3063\u304f\u308a\u3084\u3059\u3093\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u306d\u3002) \u2014 Konbanwa, yukkuri yasunde kudasai ne.<\/em> (Good evening, please take your time to rest.)<\/p>\n

4. Ikaga osugoshi desu ka?<\/em> \u2014 How are you doing?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3044\u304b\u304c\u304a\u904e\u3054\u3057\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u3044\u304b\u304c \u304a\u3059\u3054\u3057 \u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f)<\/p>\n

This is a very formal<\/strong> way to ask how someone is doing. Use this phrase when speaking to a manager, an older person or someone of authority you don’t know very well.<\/p>\n

\u3044\u304b\u304c\u304a\u904e\u3054\u3057\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u304a\u5fd9\u3057\u3044\u65e5\u3005\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u3044\u304b\u304c\u304a\u3059\u3054\u3057\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u304a\u3044\u305d\u304c\u3057\u3044\u3072\u3073\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Ikaga o-sugoshi desu ka? O-isogashii hibi desu ka?<\/em> (How are you doing? Are you busy these days?)<\/p>\n

5. O genki desu ka?<\/em> \u2014 How are you?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f)<\/p>\n

This is a good phrase to use after greeting a somewhat new friend or someone you don’t know well. The literal meaning is “Are you healthy?”\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s a formal phrase you can also use with friends and family<\/strong> and implies a very earnest interest in how someone is doing. Don’t lead straight in with this phrase, though. Make sure you say “hello” first, or your greeting may seem abrupt and unnatural.<\/p>\n

\u304a\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u6700\u8fd1\u3044\u3044\u8abf\u5b50\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093\u3044\u3044\u3061\u3087\u3046\u3057\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 O-genki desu ka? Saikin ii ch\u014dshi desu ka?<\/em> (How are you? Are you in good spirits lately?)<\/p>\n

6. Irasshaimase!<\/em> \/ Maido, irasshaimase <\/em>\u2014 Welcome!\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\uff01 \/ \u6bce\u5ea6\u3001\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b (\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\uff01\/ \u307e\u3044\u3069\u3001\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b)<\/p>\n

If you visit Japan, you’ll definitely hear this phrase at least a few times, especially when entering convenience stores or restaurants.<\/p>\n

The literal translation of \u6bce\u5ea6\u3001\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b (Maido, irasshaimase<\/em>) is “each time” or “every time,” which essentially means “we will always welcome you.” The \u6bce\u5ea6\u00a0(\u307e\u3044\u3069) \u2014 maido<\/em>\u00a0is often dropped to just say “welcome!”<\/p>\n

When you’re greeted with \u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\uff01(irasshaimase!<\/em>), you can respond with a smile and a nod, or by saying \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046 \u2014 arigatou<\/em> (thank you) or \u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f \u2014 konnichiwa<\/em> (hello).<\/em><\/p>\n

\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\uff01\u3069\u3046\u305e\u304a\u304f\u3064\u308d\u304e\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002 \u2014 Irasshaimase! Douzo o-kutsurogi kudasai.<\/em> (Welcome! Please make yourself comfortable.)<\/p>\n

7. Daij\u014dbu desu ka?<\/em> \u2014 Are you okay?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u5927\u4e08\u592b\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u3060\u3044\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3076 \u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f)<\/p>\n

This is a phrase you’ll often hear on television, typically after someone has been hurt or embarrassed.<\/p>\n

In everyday situations, you can use it if you notice someone is struggling, or if you’re greeting a friend with a long face. Think of it as asking “You good?”<\/p>\n

\u5927\u4e08\u592b\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u305d\u308c\u306f\u3072\u3069\u3044\u8ee2\u5012\u3067\u3057\u305f\u306d\u3002 (\u3060\u3044\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3076\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u305d\u308c\u306f\u3072\u3069\u3044\u3066\u3093\u3068\u3046\u3067\u3057\u305f\u306d\u3002) \u2014 Daij\u014dbu desu ka? Sore wa hidoi tent\u014d deshita ne.<\/em> (Are you okay? That was a bad fall.)<\/p>\n

How to Say Hello in Informal Situations<\/h2>\n

\"young-woman-saying-hello\"<\/p>\n

1. Y\u0101!<\/em> \/<\/em> Ya h\u014d! <\/em>\u2014 Hi\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3084\u3042 \/ \u30e4\u30c3\u30db\u30fc\uff01 (\u3084\u3042 \/ \u3084\u3063\u307b\u30fc\uff01)<\/p>\n

This is the equivalent of saying “hi,” “yo” or “hey” in English. It’s appropriate for greeting a close friend, though it can also be used to get someone’s attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s an enthusiastic way to say hello, often used by the younger generation.<\/p>\n

\u30e4\u30c3\u30db\u30fc\uff01\u5143\u6c17\u306b\u3057\u3066\u308b\uff1f (\u3084\u3063\u307b\u30fc\uff01\u3052\u3093\u304d\u306b\u3057\u3066\u308b\uff1f) \u2014 Yahh\u014d! Genki ni shiteru?<\/em> (Yahoo! Are you doing well?)<\/p>\n

2. \u014ci!<\/em> \/ Osu! <\/em>\/ Ossu!\u2014<\/em> Hey!\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u30fc\u3044\uff01 \/ \u304a\u3059\uff01 \/ \u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01<\/p>\n

These are more like exclamations than greetings, but they’re useful if you need to get someone’s attention, similar to saying “hey you.”<\/p>\n

All three words can be seen as gruff and masculine, and are mostly used between young men<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01\u4eca\u65e5\u306f\u4f55\u3059\u308b (\u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01\u304d\u3087\u3046\u306f\u306a\u306b\u3059\u308b\uff1f) \u2014 Ossu! Ky\u014d wa nani suru?<\/em> (Hey! What are you going to do today?)<\/p>\n

3. Yo! <\/em>\u2014 Yo!\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3088\u3049\uff01<\/p>\n

This is another exclamation used when trying to get the attention of someone you know very well. This is typically said by younger men, but any gender can use it.<\/p>\n

\u3088\u3049\uff01\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u904a\u3073\u306b\u884c\u3053\u3046\u305c\uff01 (\u3088\u3049\u3001\u3044\u3063\u3057\u3087\u306b\u3042\u305d\u3073\u306b\u3044\u3053\u3046\u305c\uff01) \u2014 Y\u014d! Issho ni asobi ni ik\u014dze!<\/em> (Hey! Let’s go play together!)<\/p>\n

4. Ohayou<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Good morning<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046 <\/p>\n

This is the informal way of saying “good morning,” which is a shorter version of the formal way (#2 on the list).<\/p>\n

If you’ve been working at the same place or been part of the same class for a long time, this would be an appropriate way to greet everyone in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3002 \u6628\u591c\u306f\u3088\u304f\u7720\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3002\u3055\u304f\u3084\u306f\u3088\u304f\u306d\u3080\u308c\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Ohayou. Sakuya wa yoku nemuremashita ka?\u00a0<\/em>(Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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5. Genki datta?<\/em> \u2014 How are you?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u5143\u6c17\u3060\u3063\u305f\uff1f (\u3052\u3093\u304d \u3060\u3063\u305f?)<\/p>\n

This phrase is a casual way to ask how someone’s been doing. Its informal nature makes it a good option for greeting friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can also completely drop the second half and simply ask \u5143\u6c17\uff1f(\u3052\u3093\u304d\uff1f\u2014\u00a0genki<\/em>?)<\/p>\n

\u5143\u6c17\u3060\u3063\u305f\uff1f\u6700\u8fd1\u3001\u304a\u6c17\u306b\u5165\u308a\u306e\u66f2\u3092\u898b\u3064\u3051\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f (\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3060\u3063\u305f\uff1f\u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093\u3001\u304a\u304d\u306b\u3044\u308a\u306e\u304d\u3087\u304f\u3092\u307f\u3064\u3051\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Genki datta? Saikin, o-ki ni iri no kyoku o mitsukemashita ka?<\/em> (How are you? Have you found any favorite songs lately?)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6. Ky\u014dwa donna kanji?<\/em> \u2014 How are you today?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u4eca\u65e5\u306f\u3001\u3069\u3093\u306a\u611f\u3058\uff1f (\u304d\u3087\u3046\u306f\u3001\u3069\u3093\u306a \u304b\u3093\u3058 \uff1f)<\/p>\n

This phrase literally means “How is it today?” and is appropriate for most social interactions, especially when building rapport with your coworkers.<\/p>\n

\u4eca\u65e5\u306f\u3001\u3069\u3093\u306a\u611f\u3058\uff1f\u4ed5\u4e8b\u306f\u5fd9\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304d\u3087\u3046\u306f\u3001\u3069\u3093\u306a\u304b\u3093\u3058\uff1f\u3057\u3054\u3068\u306f\u3044\u305d\u304c\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Ky\u014d wa, donna kanji? Shigoto wa isogashii desu ka?<\/em> (How do you feel today? Is work busy?)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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7. Saikin d\u014d?<\/em> \/ Nan ka atta?<\/em> \u2014 What’s up?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u6700\u8fd1\u3069\u3046\uff1f \/ \u4f55\u304b\u3042\u3063\u305f\uff1f (\u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093 \u3069\u3046\uff1f \/ \u306a\u3093\u304b \u3042\u3063\u305f\uff1f)<\/p>\n

\u6700\u8fd1\u3069\u3046\uff1f(Saikin d\u014d?)<\/em>\u00a0implies the question “How have you been?” while \u4f55\u304b\u3042\u3063\u305f\uff1f(Nani ka atta?)<\/em>\u00a0can literally be translated as “What happened?” or “What’s happening?”<\/p>\n

You can use either phrase when you meet up with a friend, especially after they had some kind of event like a job interview. You might receive a response somewhere along the lines of “I had a good day” or “I’ve been good.”<\/p>\n

\u6700\u8fd1\u3069\u3046\uff1f\u6700\u8fd1\u65c5\u884c\u306b\u884c\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f (\u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093\u3069\u3046\uff1f\u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093\u308a\u3087\u3053\u3046\u306b\u3044\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Saikin d\u014d? Saikin ryok\u014d ni ikimashita ka?<\/em> (What’s up? Have you recently gone on a trip?)<\/p>\n

8. D\u014dyo?<\/em> \u2014 How’s it going?<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3069\u3046\u3088\uff1f<\/p>\n

This phrase usually follows a greeting and is a casual way to inquire how someone’s doing. It literally means “How is it?” and the closest equivalent in English is “How’s it going?” or “How’s life?”<\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u3088\uff1f\u6700\u8fd1\u306f\u4f55\u304b\u9762\u767d\u3044\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3042\u3063\u305f\uff1f (\u3069\u3046\u3088\uff1f\u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093\u306f\u306a\u306b\u304b\u304a\u3082\u3057\u308d\u3044\u3053\u3068\u304c\u3042\u3063\u305f\uff1f) \u2014 D\u014d yo? Saikin wa nanika omoshiroi koto ga atta?<\/em> (How is it? Have there been any interesting things happening recently?)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

9. Ch\u014dshi d\u014d?<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 How’s it hangin’?<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u8abf\u5b50\u3069\u3046\uff1f (\u3061\u3087\u3046\u3057 \u3069\u3046\uff1f)<\/p>\n

The literal translation is “How is your condition?” This phrase shouldn’t be used with someone of a higher social position than you. Instead, it’s best used with very good friends with whom you have a goofy, fun-loving relationship.<\/p>\n

\u8abf\u5b50\u3069\u3046\uff1f\u6700\u8fd1\u306e\u8da3\u5473\u306f\u3069\u3093\u306a\u611f\u3058\uff1f (\u3061\u3087\u3046\u3057\u3069\u3046\uff1f \u3055\u3044\u304d\u3093\u306e\u3057\u3085\u307f\u306f\u3069\u3093\u306a\u304b\u3093\u3058\uff1f ) \u2014 Ch\u014dshi d\u014d? Saikin no shumi wa donna kanji?<\/em> (How are you feeling? How are your hobbies going lately?)<\/p>\n

10. Tadaima!<\/em> \u2014 I’m home!<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u305f\u3060\u3044\u307e\uff01<\/p>\n

This phrase is a pretty interesting phenomenon in Japan. Many Japanese people use it when entering their homes after a long day, even if they live alone<\/a>. You’ll see this in Japanese movies and television quite often.<\/p>\n

The proper response when someone comes home and says this phrase, is \u304a\u5e30\u308a\u306a\u3055\u3044 (\u304a\u304b\u3048\u308a\u306a\u3055\u3044) \u2014 Okaerinasai <\/em>(Welcome back).<\/p>\n

\u305f\u3060\u3044\u307e\u623b\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u305f\u3060\u3044\u307e\u3082\u3069\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 Tadaima modorimashita.<\/em> (I’m back now.)<\/p>\n

11. <\/strong>Maido<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Welcome\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u6bce\u5ea6 (\u307e\u3044\u3069)<\/p>\n

This is the less formal version of #6 on the list. While the formal version is heard in businesses and is generally directed at you, \u6bce\u5ea6 (maido<\/em>) can simply be used to say “hi” any time of day with anyone.<\/p>\n

This greeting is an example of Kansai-ben and is more often used in the Kansai region of Japan.<\/p>\n

\u307e\u3044\u3069\u3001\u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01\u4f55\u3057\u3066\u3093\u306e\uff1f (\u307e\u3044\u3069\u3001\u304a\u3063\u3059\uff01\u306a\u306b\u3057\u3066\u3093\u306e\uff1f) \u2014 Maido, ossu! Nani shiten no?<\/em> (Hey, what are you up to?)<\/p>\n

12. Y\u014dkoso!<\/em> \u2014 Welcome home \/ Welcome to Japan!<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u3088\u3046\u3053\u305d\uff01\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is an extremely common phrase to say after someone arrives after a long flight or traveling a long way. You’ll hear people say this when you arrive in Japan.<\/p>\n

You may also hear the more formal version, <\/strong>\u65e5\u672c\u3078\u3088\u3046\u3053\u305d\uff01 <\/strong>(Nihon e youkoso) <\/em><\/strong>or “Welcome to Japan!”<\/p>\n

If you’re being greeted by an acquaintance or someone hired to pick you up from the airport, a simple \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046 \u2014 arigatou <\/em>(thank you) will do. For a friend or family member, an enthusiastic \u305f\u3060\u3044\u307e \u2014 tadaima <\/em>(I’m home)\u00a0is a good response.<\/p>\n

\u3088\u3046\u3053\u305d\uff01\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u8857\u3078\u304a\u8d8a\u3057\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u3088\u3046\u3053\u305d\uff01\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306e\u307e\u3061\u3078\u304a\u3053\u3057\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 Youkoso! Watashitachi no machi e o-koshi kudasaimashita.<\/em> (Welcome! Thank you for coming to our town.)<\/p>\n

13. O hisashi buri desu<\/em> \u2014 Long time no see\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u4e45\u3057\u3076\u308a\u3067\u3059 (\u304a\u3072\u3055\u3057\u3076\u308a\u3067\u3059)<\/p>\n

This phrase is the equivalent of “Long time no see” or “It’s been a while” in English and usually follows a basic “hello” greeting.<\/p>\n

While this is the formal version of the phrase, it’s used in frank and informal circumstances, like with an old friend or absent family member. As a general rule, the formal version is more often used by women<\/strong> than men.<\/p>\n

\u304a\u4e45\u3057\u3076\u308a\u3067\u3059\u3002\u304a\u8eab\u4f53\u306e\u8abf\u5b50\u306f\u3044\u304b\u304c\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u304a\u3072\u3055\u3057\u3076\u308a\u3067\u3059\u3002\u304a\u304b\u3089\u3060\u306e\u3061\u3087\u3046\u3057\u306f\u3044\u304b\u304c\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f) \u2014 Ohisashiburi desu. O-karada no choushi wa ikaga desu ka?<\/em> (It’s been a while. How is your health?)<\/p>\n

14. Hisashi buri <\/em>\u2014 Long time no see\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u4e45\u3057\u3076\u308a\uff01 (\u3072\u3055\u3057\u3076\u308a\uff01)<\/p>\n

When you drop the \u304a or O<\/em> off \u304a\u3072\u3055\u3057\u3076\u308a\u3067\u3059 (O hisashi buri desu), <\/em>you get this less formal version<\/strong>. It’s used a lot in Japanese and literally just means “long time.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u4e45\u3057\u3076\u308a\uff01\u4f55\u304b\u98f2\u307f\u306b\u884c\u304b\u306a\u3044\uff1f (\u3072\u3055\u3057\u3076\u308a\uff01\u306a\u306b\u304b\u306e\u307f\u306b\u3044\u304b\u306a\u3044\uff1f) \u2014 Hisashiburi! Nanika nomi ni ikanai?<\/em> (Long time no see! How about going for a drink?)<\/p>\n

15. Daij\u014dbu?<\/em> \u2014 Are you okay?\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u5927\u4e08\u592b\uff1f (\u3060\u3044\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3076\uff1f)<\/p>\n

This is the informal way of asking if someone is okay.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u5927\u4e08\u592b\u3067\u3059\u3001\u52a9\u3051\u306f\u3044\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002 (\u3060\u3044\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3076\u3067\u3059\u3001\u305f\u3059\u3051\u306f\u3044\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002) \u2014 Daij\u014dbu desu, tasuke wa irimasen.<\/em> (I’m fine, I don’t need help.)<\/p>\n

Check out this video for a deeper dive into some of the most common ways to say hello in Japanese:\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

The video above includes formal, informal and unique greetings that don’t have an exact translation in English.<\/p>\n

Greetings for First Encounters\u00a0<\/h2>\n

\"two-people-shaking-hands\"<\/p>\n

1. O ai dekite k\u014deidesu<\/em> \u2014 It’s an honor to meet you\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u304a\u4f1a\u3044\u3067\u304d\u3066\u5149\u6804\u3067\u3059 (\u304a\u3042\u3044\u3067\u304d\u3066 \u3053\u3046\u3048\u3044\u3067\u3059)<\/p>\n

This is a very formal<\/strong> way to meet someone for the first time. It’s a good one if you’re meeting a potential new employer, for example, or a superior.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u304a\u4f1a\u3044\u3067\u304d\u3066\u5149\u6804\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3054\u6307\u5c0e\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u308b\u3068\u5e78\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002\u00a0(\u304a\u3042\u3044\u3067\u304d\u3066\u3053\u3046\u3048\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3054\u3057\u3069\u3046\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u308b\u3068\u3055\u3044\u308f\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Oaidekite k\u014dei desu. Goshid\u014d itadakeru to saiwai desu.<\/em> (It’s an honor to meet you. I would greatly appreciate your guidance.)<\/p>\n

2. Hajime mashite<\/em> \u2014 Nice to meet you\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u521d\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066 (\u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066)<\/p>\n

This is the relatively more informal<\/strong> version of the previous phrase. Note that it’s still polite, as you’re using it with someone you’ve met for the first time!\u00a0<\/p>\n

When meeting somebody at a party, bar or at an event that’s not exactly a professional setting, this is the phrase you’d use.<\/p>\n

\u521d\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066\u3001\u79c1\u306f\u7530\u4e2d\u3068\u7533\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u305f\u306a\u304b\u3068\u3082\u3046\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Hajimemashite, watashi wa Tanaka to m\u014dshimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.<\/em> (Nice to meet you, my name is Tanaka. Pleased to make your acquaintance.)<\/p>\n

3. Watashi no namae wa…<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 My name is…<\/h3>\n

Japanese:<\/strong> \u79c1\u306e\u540d\u524d\u306f… ( \u308f\u305f\u3057 \u306e \u306a\u307e\u3048 \u306f…)<\/p>\n

To make this phrase a bit less formal, you can drop the \u308f\u305f\u3057 \u306e (watashi no<\/em>) part and just say \u540d\u524d\u306f… (\u306a\u307e\u3048\u306f… \u2014 namae wa<\/em>), which literally means “Name is…”<\/p>\n

You can also ask for the other person’s name with this phrase: \u540d\u524d\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u306a\u307e\u3048 \u306f \u306a\u3093 \u3067\u3059 \u304b\uff1f) \u2014\u00a0 Namae wa nan desu ka?<\/em> (“What is your name?” or literally “Name is what?”).<\/p>\n

\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\u3001\u79c1\u306e\u540d\u524d\u306f\u30b8\u30e7\u30f3\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3053\u3093\u306b\u3061\u306f\u3001\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u306a\u307e\u3048\u306f\u3058\u3087\u3093\u3067\u3059\u3002\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa Jon desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.<\/em> (Hello, my name is John. Nice to meet you.)<\/p>\n

How to Answer the Phone in Japanese<\/h2>\n

\"woman-talking-on-phone\"<\/p>\n

When answering the phone in Japanese, people say Moshi moshi<\/em> \u2014 \u3082\u3057\u3082\u3057 (Hello?). This phrase is only used on the phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n

\u3082\u3057\u3082\u3057\u3001\u304a\u7236\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u5143\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f (\u3082\u3057\u3082\u3057\u3001\u304a\u3068\u3046\u3055\u3093\u3001\u304a\u3052\u3093\u304d\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f ) \u2014 Moshimoshi, ot\u014dsan, ogenki desu ka?<\/em> (Hello, Dad, how are you doing?)<\/p>\n

You can see this common greeting for answering the phone in the video below, as well as a more formal way for business calls and a “millennial” form you might hear:\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

To answer a business call, you can also use one of the common formal greetings such as “Ohay\u014d gozaimasu” <\/em>\u2014 \u304a\u306f\u3088\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059 (Good morning) or you could say “O<\/em>denwa arigatou gozaimasu” <\/i>\u2014 \u304a\u96fb\u8a71\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059\u00a0(Thank you for calling).<\/p>\n

How to Bow to Greet People in Japan<\/h2>\n

\"japanese-people-bowing-to-each-other\"<\/p>\n

Aside from verbal greetings, there are nonverbal ways<\/a> to say “hello” in Japanese. One of these is bowing.<\/p>\n

Generally, here’s how you bow to greet people in a Japanese context:<\/p>\n