The word ‘hello’ is one of the first words we want to learn in any language! It’s no surprise that when we start learning Japanese, we want to learn the word ‘hello’ first.

This simple greeting helps us make connections and friends.

Well, of course nothing is ever simple in Japanese…

You may have learned that the way to say hello in Japanese is konnichiwa (こんにちは). Well, that is one very useful Japanese greeting! But in fact, konnichiwa is closer in meaning to good day or good afternoon.

There are actually many different ways to greet somebody. It depends on the time of day, your level of formality, whether you’ve seen that person recently…

Yes, there are many unique ways to say hello in Japanese. Well, they don’t all translate exactly as ‘hello’, but they are different greetings used in the same way.

Let’s take a look at some of those today!

Ohayō Gozaimasu

おはよう ございます

Good morning

This is how to say good morning in Japanese. This is the most common greeting to use in the morning, up until about 11 or 12. 

Yaa

やあ

Hi

This is a very casual way to say hi or hey there! to a close friend. 

Ikaga O-Sugoshi Deshita Ka

いかがお過ごしでした。

How have you been?

This is quite a formal greeting. You can say this when meeting somebody with higher status than you – perhaps a coworker or professor.

Genki Desu Ka

元気ですか

How are you?

This is a more casual way to ask how someone is. Japanese people often greet a friend with genki desu ka without saying hello.

Chōshi Wa Dou Desu Ka

調子 はどうですか

How’s it going?

This is a Japanese greeting that means how have you been?  or how are you doing lately? 

Konnichiwa

こんにちは

Good afternoon

Most people learn konnichiwa as the way to say hello in Japanese. But actually, it’s closer to good day or good afternoon. You can use it after around 11am and in the afternoon, up until around 5 or 6pm.

Konbanwa

こんばんは

Good evening

Konbanwa is how to say good evening in Japanese. 

O-Ai Dekite Kouei Desu

お会いできて光栄です

It’s nice to meet you

This is a formal way to greet somebody you meet for the first time in Japanese.

Moshi Moshi

もしもし

Hello (on the phone)

This special greeting is used only on the phone. 

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