There are various ways to say hello in Japanese depending on the level of formality and context. Take a close look at the most common greetings below so you can greet people in Japanese with confidence.
1. おはよう (Ohayou)
This is the informal or more casual way to say good morning, often used to greet friends and family in the morning.
2. おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu)
This is the formal way to say good morning. Adding gozaimasu at the end makes the greeting more polite. This greeting is used to greet a stranger, elder, boss, or teacher in the morning.
Ohayou and Ohayou gozaimasu are commonly used until before noon.
3. こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
This is the most common way to say hello in Japan. It is a polite and casual greeting that can be used in both formal and informal situations at any time of the day. But, if you want to speak more like an expert or a local, only use it between mid-morning and late afternoon or early evening.
4. こんばんは (Konbanwa)
This is the polite and formal way to say good evening. You can use it to greet anyone in the late afternoon or in the evening.
5. ごきげんよう (Gokigen-you)
This phrase is both a greeting and a farewell that can either mean “Hello. How are you today?” to “Take care and have a nice day.”, and “Goodbye.” Because it’s a very formal greeting and has a feminine image attached to it, it is rarely used in daily conversations especially by men.
6. もしもし (Moshi moshi)
This is usually used when answering and picking up the phone. It can also be an informal way to greet someone in informal settings—commonly with friends.
7. ただいま (Tadaima)
This is a phrase Japanese people use when they arrive home. It means “I’m home.” or “I’m back.” You can also use it when you come back to work after a leave or when you’ve returned to anywhere that feels like home.
8. お疲れ様です (Otsukare sama desu)
This is a multipurpose phrase in Japanese workplaces. It can mean “Good job!”, “You’ve worked hard.”, or “Thank you for your hard work.” You’ll hear it often as a congratulatory phrase between colleagues in Japan.
9. すみません (Sumimasen)
Technically, this greeting means more of an “excuse me” than a “hi” or “hello”. It comes in handy if you need to politely approach a Japanese stranger, whether to ask for time, help finding something, or the like.
10. いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase)
This is the polite way of greeting customers in a restaurant or a shop. It means “Welcome!” This is what you often hear when you enter Japanese stores or restaurants.
We’re looking forward to saying hello and welcoming you to our Takoyadon branches nationwide. Experience the authentic taste of Japanese dishes without having to board a flight! Check our menu and visit us soon in the Takoyadon branch nearest to you!
If you’re interested in franchising and opening a Takoyadon branch in your area, contact us for more details and a one-on-one presentation.
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