When learning a new language, one of the first things you master is how to greet people. Saying hello in Japanese isn’t as straightforward as in English, where a simple “hello” works in almost any situation. In Japanese, greetings change depending on the time of day, the level of formality, and even the relationship between the speakers.
If you’re wondering how to say hello in Japanese, this guide will introduce you to different ways to greet people, from formal and polite expressions to casual and slang variations. You’ll also learn some key cultural tips to help you sound more natural when speaking Japanese!
How to Say Hello in Japanese Based on Time of Day
1. Konnichiwa (こんにちは) – “Good Afternoon” / General Hello
Konnichiwa is one of the most common ways to say hello in Japanese, but it’s important to note that it’s actually a greeting used during the afternoon.
📌 When to Use:
- Suitable for most situations (formal and informal)
- Used after noon until early evening
- Can be used when meeting someone for the first time
🗣 Example Sentence:
- こんにちは、お元気ですか？ (Konnichiwa, ogenki desu ka?) – Hello, how are you?
🎯 Tip: Many beginners mistakenly use konnichiwa in the morning or at night. Avoid this mistake by using the correct time-specific greetings!
2. Ohayō Gozaimasu (おはようございます) – “Good Morning”
The correct way to greet someone in the morning is ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます). This is the polite version of “good morning” in Japanese.
📌 When to Use:
- Before 12 PM
- Used in formal settings (offices, schools, business situations)
- Greeting superiors, teachers, or strangers
🗣 Example Sentences:
- おはようございます、先生！ (Ohayō gozaimasu, sensei!) – Good morning, teacher!
- おはよう！ (Ohayō!) – Morning! (casual)
💡 Casual Version: If you’re speaking to friends, family, or colleagues in a relaxed setting, you can drop the formal gozaimasu and simply say ohayō (おはよう).
3. Konbanwa (こんばんは) – “Good Evening”
If you’re greeting someone in the evening or night, the appropriate phrase is konbanwa (こんばんは).
📌 When to Use:
- After sunset (typically after 6 PM)
- Used in both formal and informal settings
- When arriving somewhere in the evening
🗣 Example Sentence:
- こんばんは、お久しぶりですね！(Konbanwa, ohisashiburi desu ne!) – Good evening, it’s been a while!
🎯 Common Mistake: Many learners write konbanwa as こんばんわ instead of こんばんは. The correct ending is は (wa), not わ.
How to Say Hello in Japanese on the Phone
Unlike in English, where you simply say “hello” when answering a call, Japanese people use a special word:
📞 もしもし (Moshi moshi) – Hello? (on the phone)
📌 When to Use:
- Used only on the phone
- Works for both formal and informal situations
🗣 Example Conversation:
- もしもし、田中です。 (Moshi moshi, Tanaka desu.) – Hello, this is Tanaka.
- もしもし、聞こえますか？ (Moshi moshi, kikoemasu ka?) – Hello, can you hear me?
🎯 Note: Moshi moshi is typically used between friends, family, and casual business settings. If you are answering a business call in a very formal setting, a better phrase would be:
はい、[name] です。 (Hai, [name] desu.) – Hello, this is [name].
How to Say Hello in Japanese to Someone You Haven’t Seen in a While
If you’re meeting someone you haven’t seen for weeks or months, you wouldn’t simply say konnichiwa. Instead, you should use:
🤝 久しぶり (Hisashiburi) – Long time no see!
📌 When to Use:
- When greeting a friend, classmate, or colleague after a long time
- Used in casual settings
🗣 Example Sentences:
- 久しぶり！元気だった？ (Hisashiburi! Genki datta?) – Long time no see! How have you been?
- お久しぶりですね！ (O hisashiburi desu ne!) – It’s been a while! (polite)
🎯 Note: The polite version お久しぶりですね (O hisashiburi desu ne) is used in formal situations.
How to Say Hello in Japanese Slang
If you’re greeting friends or close acquaintances, you can use more casual and fun expressions.
1. よー！(Yo!) – “Yo!”
This is a super casual way of saying hello, just like “Yo!” in English.
📌 When to Use:
- Between close friends, classmates, or colleagues
- In very informal settings
🗣 Example:
- よー！久しぶり！ (Yo! Hisashiburi!) – Yo! Long time no see!
🎯 Avoid using this with teachers, bosses, or elders!
2. こんちゃ！(Koncha!) – “Hey there!”
A casual variation of konnichiwa, used among friends and young people.
📌 When to Use:
- In friendly, informal conversations
- Between classmates, coworkers, or online chats
🗣 Example:
- こんちゃ！元気？ (Koncha! Genki?) – Hey there! How are you?
🎯 Note: While koncha is fun and informal, it’s not appropriate for formal or business situations.
3. おっす！(Ossu!) – “Hey, dude!”
Originally a military greeting, ossu is now commonly used by young men and martial artists.
📌 When to Use:
- Between male friends or teammates
- In sports or martial arts settings
🗣 Example:
- おっす！練習行こうぜ！ (Ossu! Renshū ikou ze!) – Hey! Let’s go to practice!
🎯 Note: This greeting is almost never used by women and should only be used in casual, male-dominated environments.
Cultural Tip: Bowing When Saying Hello
In Japan, greetings are often accompanied by a bow (お辞儀・おじぎ ojigi). The depth of the bow depends on the level of formality.
🔹 15° Bow – Casual, used with friends or colleagues
🔹 30° Bow – Polite, used in business settings
🔹 45° Bow – Very formal, used for deep respect
When in doubt, a slight bow is always a safe and respectful way to greet someone in Japan!
Final Thoughts: Mastering “Hello” in Japanese
Now that you know how to say hello in Japanese, you can confidently greet people in different situations!
✅ Use “konnichiwa” for general daytime greetings
✅ Use “ohayō gozaimasu” in the morning and “konbanwa” in the evening
✅ Say “moshi moshi” on the phone
✅ Try casual greetings like “yo” or “koncha” with friends
✅ Don’t forget to bow when greeting someone in person!
Learning the right greeting in Japanese shows respect and cultural awareness, so try using these phrases in your next conversation. Which greeting will you try first? Let us know in the comments! 😊
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