Content

• Steps
• Advice

In Japanese, the most standard way to say "hello" is to use "konnichiwa", but in fact there are many other ways that are also used by Japanese when greeting someone. Here are a few of the most useful examples with notes for when to use them.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Say hello to the standard

1. 

   Say "konnichiwa" under most circumstances. This is a pretty good greeting for all purposes, and if you can only remember one, be sure to remember this greeting.
   • You can use this greeting to greet anyone, regardless of social class.
   • Since there are many different greetings for each time of day, this one also has another meaning of "good afternoon".
   • Word kanji written as 今日 は. And word hiragana written as こ ん に ち は.
   • The pronunciation is kohn-nee-chee-wah.

2. 

   
   
   Answer the phone with "moshi moshi". This is the standard way of saying "hello" on the phone.
   • Use this greeting even if you are the caller or the receiver. Moshi moshi appropriate when speaking on the phone rather than konnichiwa.
   • Do not use moshi moshi when talking face to face.
   • Word hiragana written as も し も し.
   • Pronunciation of moshi moshi was mohsh mohsh.
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Method 2 of 4: Say hello in an informal situation

1. 

   
   
   Use "ossu" among best male friends. This is an informal greeting between close male friends or between close male relatives of the same age.
   • This phrase is not often used between close female friends or with friends of the opposite sex.
   • Hi by Ossu the equivalent of saying "hey, man!" (Hi!) Or "hey, dude!" (Hello!) In English.
   • Word hiragana written as お っ す.
   • Pronounced is ohss.

2. 

   
   
   In Osaka, people say "yaho" to their friends.
   • This greeting is usually only written in katakana, because the handwriting is quite hieroglyphic. (ヤ ー ホ ー）
   • Pronounced as yah-hoh.
   • Yaho is also used by young people to greet each other, especially the girls.

3. 

   Ask "saikin dō?"The question in the corresponding English is "'s up?" (What's the matter) or "What's new?" (What's New?)
   • Like most greetings in informal situations, you should use this question only with people close to you like friends, siblings or — sometimes — classmates or colleagues.
   • Word kanji written as 最近 ど う?. Word hiragana written as さ い き ん ど う?
   • The pronunciation is sigh-kin doh.

4. 

   When greeting someone you haven't seen in a while, use "hisashiburi". In English, the corresponding greetings are "long time, no see" (long time no see) or "been a while." (it's been a long time)
   • You should use this greeting when meeting with a friend or close family member you haven't seen for several weeks, months, or years.
   • Word kanji written as 久 し ぶ り. Word hiragana written as ひ さ し ぶ り.
   • For a more formal greeting, say "o hisashiburi desu ne". Word kanji written as お 久 し ぶ り で す ね. Word hiragana written as お ひ さ し ぶ り で す ね.
   • The full pronunciation is oh hee-sah-shee-boo-ree deh-soo neh.
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Method 3 of 4: The ritual of bowing when greeting

Bowing is not just a greeting, but also a way of showing respect to them. This ritual can be performed from both sides (although it is mainly the one who bows).

1. 

   It should be understood that a bow is equivalent to a respectful handshake. It's important to remember when you should bow back.

2. 

   When you have someone bowing to you, bow back. You should at least have the same level of bow, or lower your head than the other person greeted you. Bowing your head deeper is a sign of respect, so try to bow lower than the person bowing first if they are of higher social class than you or when you don't know the person.
   • In general, you should bow 15 degrees to people you know and 30 degrees to people you just met or have a higher position in society. A 45 degree bow is not uncommon in greetings unless you are meeting the king or the prime minister.
   • If you say hello to your best friend, simply nod at them. This is the most common way to bow.

3. 

   Bowing your head in greeting while your hands are at both sides, eyes looking in the direction you greet. Be sure to bend from the waist. Simply lowering your head or leaning your shoulders forward is too casual and may be considered rude. advertisement

Method 4 of 4: Say hello during a specific time of the day

1. 

   Switch to "ohayō gozaimasu" in the morning. When greeting someone before lunch, this is the most standard greeting.
   • Greetings during a particular period of time are more important in Japan than in the US. While you can mechanically say "konnichiwa" in the morning, people are more likely to say "ohayō gozaimasu".
   • Word kanji written as お 早 う ご ざ い ま す. Word hiragana written as お は よ う ご ざ い ま す.
   • You can also shorten your morning greeting with "ohayō" when greeting a close friend or person. Word kanji written as お 早 う and word hiragana is お は よ う.
   • Pronounced is oh-hah-yoh goh-za-ee-muss.

2. 

   Say hello to "konbanwa" in the evening. After dinner, start greeting with this rather than "konnichiwa".
   • As with other greetings during specific times of the day, konbanwa is the standard way to say hello at night. You can also say hi konnichiwa, but it is considered less standard.
   • Word kanji written as 今 晩 は. Word hiragana is こ ん ば ん は.
   • How to pronounce words konbanwa was kohn-bahn-wah.

3. 

   Try to say hello to "oyasumi nasai" to say goodbye to someone at night.
   • Attention oyasumi nasai often used to say goodbye like "good night" (good night!) in the late evening rather than say hello with "hello". You will be seen with strange eyes if you just met someone late at night and wished them oyasumi nasai.
   • When you are with friends, classmates, close family members, or anyone you can talk to informally, you can briefly greet oyasumi.
   • Writing in words hiragana for oyasumi is お や す み. How to write the whole phrase oyasumi nasai in hiragana is お や す み な さ い.
   • This greeting is pronounced as oh-yah-soo-mee nah-sigh.
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Advice

• When in doubt, a 30 degree bow is a fairly safe behavior for most people.
• If you want to be more natural, don't forget to say hello at specific times of the day. Good morning konnichiwa in the morning or evening sounds pretty odd.
• Note: These standards of greetings are applicable throughout Japan and to those who speak Japanese. However, there are other ways of greeting that are only used in certain dialects in Japan. If you want to impress someone who speaks a dialect of Japan, you can either use the standard greetings described above or find greetings in that particular dialect.