Hello at the right level
By the end you'll pick the right greeting for casual friends, polite acquaintances, and the workplace.
Part of the guide: Japanese Greetings: The Right One for the Time, Place, and Person →
- 1
やあ yaa
A casual 'hi' between close friends.
Use when greeting a close friend, casual settings
やあ、しぶり！ yaa, hisashiburi!
Hey, long time no see!
- 2
こんにちは konnichiwa
The standard polite daytime hello.
Use when greeting acquaintances, neighbours, shop staff
こんにちは、いいですね。 konnichiwa, ii tenki desu ne.
Hello, nice weather isn't it.
- 3
おはようございます ohayou gozaimasu
A polite good morning, expected at work and with seniors.
Use when greeting colleagues in the morning, formal settings
おはようございます、もよろしくおいします。 ohayou gozaimasu, kyou mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Good morning, looking forward to today.
Saved phrases collect at practice → saved; quiz them and they enter your review queue.