あいさつ — Greetings

Rōmaji

Kana

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Hover over or tap a phrase to hear it. Kana and rōmaji are reading aids. A macron, as in ō or ū, marks a long vowel. The は in こんにちは and こんばんは is pronounced “wa”.

Saying hello

こんにちは。Konnichiwa.

Hello. / Good afternoon. A neutral daytime greeting.

おはよう。Ohayō.

Morning! Casual; used with friends and family.

おはようございます。Ohayō gozaimasu.

Good morning. Polite; a safe choice with people you do not know well. At many workplaces it is also the first greeting of a shift, even in the afternoon.

こんばんは。Konbanwa.

Good evening. Said when meeting someone in the evening.

もしもし。Moshi moshi.

Hello? Used to answer or start a phone call, not when greeting someone in person.

Catching up

久しぶり！ひさしぶり！Hisashiburi!

Long time no see! Casual; used with someone you know.

お久しぶりです。おひさしぶりです。Ohisashiburi desu.

It has been a while. The polite form of “Long time no see.”

元気？げんき？Genki?

How have you been? Casual; often used when catching up.

お元気ですか。おげんきですか。Ogenki desu ka.

Have you been well? Polite; useful after some time apart, rather than as a routine greeting every time you meet.

最近どう？さいきんどう？Saikin dō?

How are things lately? Casual; used with friends.

Short replies

元気だよ。げんきだよ。Genki da yo.

I’m doing well. Casual.

元気です。げんきです。Genki desu.

I’m well. Polite.

まあまあです。Māmā desu.

So-so. / I’m doing OK. Polite.

あまり元気じゃないです。あまりげんきじゃないです。Amari genki ja nai desu.

I’m not doing very well. Polite; can refer to health or spirits.

Meeting and welcoming

はじめまして。Hajimemashite.

Nice to meet you. Said only when meeting someone for the first time.

よろしくお願いします。よろしくおねがいします。Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

A polite way to finish an introduction and express goodwill toward your new relationship.

こちらこそ。Kochira koso.

Likewise. / The pleasure is mine. The usual reply to よろしくお願いします, often as こちらこそよろしくお願いします; it can also answer ありがとう.

ようこそ。Yōkoso.

Welcome. Said to someone arriving at a place or event.

いらっしゃいませ。Irasshaimase.

Welcome. Said by staff to customers entering a shop or restaurant; customers usually do not reply with this phrase.