How to Say Hello in Japanese: 17 Greetings for Every Situation

The Short Answer

The most common way to say hello in Japanese is Konnichiwa (こんにちは, kohn-nee-chee-wah). It covers most daytime situations and is universally understood. But Japanese greetings go far deeper than a single word. The language has an entire system of politeness levels that determine which greeting you should use and when.

Japanese is spoken by approximately 125 million people, the vast majority in Japan, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. Unlike many Western languages where one "hello" fits most contexts, Japanese culture demands careful attention to social hierarchy, time of day, and the relationship between speakers. The Japan Foundation's 2021 survey found that greetings are the single most-studied topic among the 3.8 million people learning Japanese worldwide, because getting them right is essential.

"In Japanese communication, the greeting is not merely a social formality but a statement of your understanding of the relationship. Choosing the wrong level of politeness can create more discomfort than saying nothing at all."

(Seiichi Makino, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times, 1986)

This guide covers 17 essential Japanese greetings organized by category: universal, casual, formal and business (keigo), phone greetings, and homecoming expressions. Each includes the Japanese script, romaji pronunciation, and cultural context so you know exactly when and where to use it.

Quick Reference: Japanese Greetings at a Glance

Universal Greetings

These greetings are understood across all of Japan and work in most everyday situations. According to NHK World-Japan's language education materials, mastering these three time-based greetings covers the vast majority of daily interactions.

こんにちは (Konnichiwa)

Konnichiwa is the greeting most foreigners learn first, and for good reason: it covers the broadest range of situations. It originates from the classical phrase konnichi wa gokiken ikaga desu ka (How are you feeling today?), which was shortened over centuries to just konnichiwa.

One important note: among close friends, konnichiwa can actually sound too formal and distant. If you are greeting a good friend, yaa or ossu (covered below) would be more natural. Think of konnichiwa as equivalent to a polite "hello" rather than a casual "hey."

おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu)

This is the polite morning greeting, used from waking hours until around 10-11 AM. The word hayou comes from hayai (early), so you are literally saying "it is early" in a respectful way. In Japanese workplaces, ohayou gozaimasu is the universal morning greeting, and skipping it would be considered rude, according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs' National Language Survey.

こんばんは (Konbanwa)

The evening counterpart to konnichiwa. The transition point is flexible, but most Japanese speakers switch to konbanwa around sunset or 5-6 PM. Like konnichiwa, it originated from a longer classical phrase: konban wa gokigen ikaga desu ka (How are you feeling this evening?).

Casual Greetings

These are the greetings you will hear among friends, classmates, and people of similar age and status. Japanese casual speech drops the polite suffixes and uses shorter, more direct forms.

やあ (Yaa)

Yaa is as casual as Japanese greetings get. It works at any time of day but only with people you know well. Using it with a stranger or superior would be a significant social misstep. You will hear it frequently in anime and Japanese films. Check out our guide to the best movies for learning Japanese for authentic examples.

おっす (Ossu)

Ossu originated as a contraction of ohayou gozaimasu in martial arts dojos, where it was barked as a sharp acknowledgment. It migrated into casual young male speech and is now a common greeting among friends, particularly in sporty or informal settings.

おはよう (Ohayou)

Simply drop the gozaimasu and you have the casual morning greeting. This is what you would say to a roommate, sibling, or close friend. The shift between ohayou and ohayou gozaimasu is one of the clearest examples of Japanese politeness levels in action.

どうも (Doumo)

Doumo is one of the most versatile words in Japanese. It can mean "hello," "thanks," "sorry," or "indeed" depending on context. As a greeting, it functions as a casual, low-key acknowledgment, something like "hey" or a quick nod in English. You will often hear doumo doumo (doubled for emphasis) between acquaintances who bump into each other.

Formal and Business Greetings (Keigo)

Japanese keigo (敬語, honorific language) is a structured system of politeness that permeates the language. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs' 2023 National Language Survey, 89% of Japanese adults consider proper keigo essential in workplace communication. These greetings reflect that cultural priority.

お元気ですか (Ogenki desu ka)

A critical cultural difference: unlike the English "how are you?" which is a daily throwaway greeting, ogenki desu ka carries genuine weight. It implies you have not seen the person recently and are sincerely asking about their well-being. The prefix o- adds politeness to genki (health/energy).

はじめまして (Hajimemashite)

Hajimemashite is the opening line of every Japanese self-introduction. It signals "this is our first meeting." The standard formula is: Hajimemashite (How do you do) + your name + desu (I am) + Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Please take care of me).

よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)

This phrase has no direct English translation. It roughly means "please treat me favorably" or "I look forward to working with you," but it carries layers of humility, respect, and social commitment that no English phrase captures. According to Makino and Tsutsui's A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, it is among the most frequently used expressions in the language.

お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)

If you work in Japan, you will say and hear this phrase dozens of times daily. It acknowledges the other person's effort and serves as a greeting, a goodbye, and a thank-you all at once. Between colleagues passing in a hallway, otsukaresama desu is often the only exchange needed.

すみません (Sumimasen)

Sumimasen straddles the line between apology and greeting. When approaching a stranger for directions, entering a small shop, or getting a waiter's attention, sumimasen is often the natural first word, functioning exactly like "hello" in those contexts.

Phone Greetings

もしもし (Moshi moshi)

Moshi moshi is derived from the verb mousu (to say, humble form). According to NHK World-Japan, the doubled form became standard in Japan's early telephone era. One popular folk explanation is that supernatural beings (youkai) in Japanese folklore cannot repeat words, so saying moshi moshi proved you were human.

In business phone calls, moshi moshi is replaced by a more formal opening: Hai, [company name] no [your name] de gozaimasu (Yes, this is [name] from [company]).

Welcome and Homecoming Greetings

Japanese has a unique set of paired greetings for entering shops and returning home. These have no direct equivalents in English and reflect deeply embedded cultural rituals.

いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase)

Walk into any shop, restaurant, or convenience store in Japan and you will immediately hear Irasshaimase!, often shouted enthusiastically by the entire staff. This is a deeply ingrained service ritual. The greeting uses the honorific form of irassharu (to come/go/be), elevating the customer. You do not need to reply.

ただいま (Tadaima)

Tadaima is short for tadaima kaerimashita (I have just now returned). It is always said upon entering one's home and triggers the automatic response okaeri or okaerinasai from whoever is inside. This call-and-response pattern is one of the most iconic aspects of Japanese daily life.

おかえり (Okaeri)

The tadaima / okaeri pair is more than a greeting; it is a daily affirmation of belonging. The word okaeri comes from kaeru (to return), with the honorific o- prefix. The longer form okaerinasai adds a layer of warmth and politeness.

Reunion Greetings

お久しぶりです (Ohisashiburi desu)

Ohisashiburi desu fills the same role as "long time no see" in English, but with more emotional weight. The casual version, hisashiburi, drops both the honorific o- prefix and the polite desu ending. In very formal business situations, some speakers use gobusata shite orimasu, a humble expression meaning "I have been neglectful in staying in touch."

How to Respond to Japanese Greetings

Knowing how to respond is just as important as knowing how to initiate. Japanese greeting responses follow predictable patterns.

Responses to Time-Based Greetings

Responses to Casual Greetings

Responses to Formal Greetings

Practice With Real Japanese Content

Reading about greetings builds your knowledge, but hearing them spoken naturally with proper intonation is what makes them stick. Japanese films and anime are excellent for this. The strict social hierarchy in Japanese culture means characters constantly shift between casual and formal greetings, giving you natural context for each one.

Wordy lets you watch Japanese movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap on any greeting to see its meaning, romaji pronunciation, formality level, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from authentic conversations with native speakers.

For more Japanese content, explore our blog for language guides including the best movies to learn Japanese. You can also visit our Japanese learning page to start practicing with real content today.