), or Sora-kun!, for example, or use any of the other casual greetings following next.greetingYahhoo!responseYahoo!(or O, (name), (name) Yaa, etc. Now, I bet you want to learn how to say goodbye, isnt it? In more formal situations, people often bow at an approximately 45-degree angle for three to four seconds. is the more casual way to say youre sorry for something.
Today were going to focus on common Japanese greetings across the various levels of formality. (casual)Moshi moshiHello (on the phone)IrasshaimaseWelcome (in shops, etc. )Hisashiburi Casual Greeting When its Been a While. / Hey, (name)!~HarooHelloYahhooHowdy!Hey!Halloooooo!YaaHi!Hey!YooYo!Hey!OssuOsuOissuHey man!Hey dude!Yo!UssuUissuUssussuHey!Hi!Yo!OoiHeeeeey!Ahoy!HajimemashiteNice to meet youHow do you doO-hisashiburi desuO-hisashiburi desu neLong time no seeIts been a whileHisashiburiHisashiburi desuLong time no see (casual)Its been a while (casual)Shibarakuburi desu neIts been a whileTadaimaIm homeIm backOkaeri nasaiWelcome back!Welcome home!OkaeriWelcome back! by tdondich | Jan 29, 2016 | Learn Japanese | 0 comments. While we dont often say How do you do? much America much anymore, it emphasizes the formality of this greeting. I have been waiting for you!) The positive response is usually Genki! Just like the phrases we have just learned you can use Shibarakuburi desu ne () to say hello to someone you havent met for a while. Dont forget the n in Kon followed by another one in ni. or combine it with another greeting Yaa, konbanwa (Yo! You could also say something like Yaa, matteta yo (Hey! Even though I consider Haroo () rather a casual greeting than a formal one, your close Japanese friends will hardly ever use it to say hello to you. It means Long time no see or Its been a while. Everyone around me says Hisashiburi.greetingShibarakuburi desu neresponseOhisashiburi desu ne(or Sou desu ne)Shibarakuburi Desu Ne Formal Greeting When its Been a While. The depth, length and style of bow depends on the social context (see below). Even when I give them a call in the evening to close some lessons they say Ohayou gozaimasu after the standard phone greeting. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.var asau='3386532589';var cid='6967364883';var pid='ca-pub-6904638486674049';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-alexrockinjapanese_com-banner-2-0';var ffid=1;var alS=1031%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;if(typeof window.adsenseNoUnit=='undefined'){ins.dataset.adSlot=asau;} ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});I read in a Japanese forum (source) that it is primarily used by older club members called Senpai (senior) to say hello to younger club members called Kohai ( junior) and in response to the greeting Ossu. Youkoso () is a formal greeting that you will hear when you arrive somewhere after a long flight or a long trip. When you enter someone elses house you should greet them politely with Ojama Shimasu (). Get a downloadable, printable version that you can read later. () which translates as How have you been?. 
)YoukosoWelcome (after a trip)Hai douzoCome inDoumoHello (not standard)O-genki desu ka?How are you?Genki?How are you? However, in my experience, most Japanese use this greeting after sunset when it has already gotten dark.greetingKonbanwaresponseKonbanwaKonbanwa Standard Greeting in the Evening. Thank you. (A shortened version of Domo arigatougozaimasu.) If you want to know more about the important Senpai-Kohai relationship in Japan and what the Japanese word Senpai means in Anime and English, you can check out the post I have just published.greetingUissu!responseUssussu!(or Ussu, Uissu, Yoo!, etc)Ussu Casual Greeting Used By Senior Club Members. (Name) wa? (), but if you havent been doing so well you could also reply with Chotto () or Maa maa (). However, I just realized that nowadays I use totally different phrases to say hello to my friends and when greeting my coworkers in Japanese. More than asking how are you, this is a greeting you will only use when you meet someone for the first time. A couple weeks ago, we at Nihongo Master started a series of posts with helpful and common Japanese greetings. Sort of like, Have a good night! Thanks, you too. Sometimes this phrase is also used as an expression of surprise meaning Wow or just as an exclamation to grab your friends attention (source).greetingYaa!responseA, (name)!(name)(or O, (name), Yahhoo, etc. At my learning studio, for example, we always greet each other with Ohayou gozaimasu. This is a casual version of Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu. Ussu () or Uissu () is another rather masculine greeting very similar to the ones we have just discussed. Yo (, ) means yo!, but it can also be translated as hey!, or hi!. (casual)Welcome home! The ne () can be translated as huh? (Its been a while, huh?) The Japanese are an extremely polite society so many times people are apologizing for any minor inconvenience to another, not necessarily for something they have done wrong. The etiquette of bowing contains many intricate rules that depend on factors such as the context, social status and age of the person. It is usually followed by your name and the phrase Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu (). The last syllable is the particle (ha, but pronounced as wa) and not the Hiragana syllable (wa).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'alexrockinjapanese_com-box-4','ezslot_3',147,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-alexrockinjapanese_com-box-4-0')}; While it might be normal in Germany or in your home country to say hello to strangers on the street, this is not common in Japan. Your host family might also greet you with Youkoso. In English, it means please come in, come in, please after you. In a professional or extremely formal setting, you might want to use the even politer phrase Oai dekite kouei desu () which means It is an honor to meet you or Oai dekite ureshii desu () which means It is a pleasure to meet you.greetingHajimemashiteresponseHajimemashite(followed by (Name) desu. And sometimes they add Ohayou ja nai noni which means even though it isnt morning. Im pretty sure you already know this phrase from anime and manga. As with all languages, there isnt always a literal translation. You can use it when you make a phone call to someone and when answering the phone.greetingMoshi moshiresponseMoshi moshi(or ohayou gozaimasu, etc. I once did the big mistake to say goodbye to my Japanese friend using the word "Sayonara" and hurt him a lot without realizing it. While this technically translates to before you, excuse me, it is such a set term in Japan that they dont really consider the true meaning of the words. Bowing should not happen while seated on a chair. As with most Japanese greetings Ossu is written in kana alone, but in manga, you will sometimes see it written as (osu, ossu). So how do you respond to "Konnichiwa"? A, (name), Yahhoo, Osu, and Haroo are casual Japanese greetings that can be used to greet people you know well.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'alexrockinjapanese_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',138,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-alexrockinjapanese_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; It might be shocking to hear but the most classic Japanese greeting Konnichiwa is actually the one I use the least. Hopefully, my study notes and free Japanese lessons will help you to reach the Japanese level you want to have! are more commonly used to greet to the people whom you see every day. It means everything from thanks to hi or hey to very. 
Yaa () is another informal Japanese greeting among close friends that translates as Hi!, Hey!, or Yo!. However, this useful phrase can be used in all kinds of different situations and can also mean please go ahead or here you are.
Irasshaimase () is the phrase that you will hear all over Japan whenever you enter a store, a restaurant, a convenience store, or a small ramen shop in Japan. To be honest, in the beginning, I got a bit upset about it, but now I just play along. The phrase means good morning and is the common greeting until 11:00 or 11:30. And as a matter of fact, those rules are much more rigid in Japan than in America. A short Oi (), on the other hand, is an exclamation used in real life, too. Make sure to pronounce it Kon-ni-chi-wa. Some people often repeat it. AlexRockinJapanese.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Do you remember the greeting Yahhoo () which was a bit girlish? Is there a best practice? It is often used in school sports clubs and martial art clubs and either means hey, hi, yo, or yes. While this is a slightly more casual goodbye than , it can still be used in polite company. Excuse me. The type of honorific title used when greeting someone depends on their age and gender (see, The most common title used when greeting someone is , When meeting someone for the first time in a casual setting, it is common for people to say , Meanwhile in formal settings, the most common greeting is , The most common phrases when greeting someone familiar is , There are two positions to begin bowing: standing (.
This is also a really good way to say hello to your friends when sending them a text message. )Moshi Moshi Japanese Greeting on the Phone. In English it means Welcome, but it is only used by shop owners, staff, chefs, and waiters to greet their customers and guests. You can greet your friend with their name Keiko!, Oo, Misa-chan (Oh, Misa-chan! Sometimes they also have an assignment from their teacher to ask tourists some questions in English. (casual)How to Say Hello in Japanese? Of course, there is also a shorter more casual version which is just Genki? & form.) Hi. So it is a good thing if you take some time and help them out. The following discusses common occasions of when to bow and how to follow common bowing etiquette. )Hai Douzo Welcoming Your Guests at Home. Nonetheless, many Japanese are understanding and are likely to shake hands when meeting non-Japanese people. There are so many other more common ways to greet people in Japanese and the best choice really depends on the situation. You can use it in the same way as , as when you are all leaving a meeting. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians past, present and emerging. var asau='3386532589';var cid='6967364883';var pid='ca-pub-6904638486674049';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-alexrockinjapanese_com-sky-1-0';var ffid=1;var alS=1701%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;if(typeof window.adsenseNoUnit=='undefined'){ins.dataset.adSlot=asau;} A () or Aa (, , ) followed by the name of your friend translates as Hi, (name)! or Hey, (name)! or just hi! or hey!. Oh, and as a side note, the greeting is actually the contracted form of Ohayou gozaimasu that originated in the military. Your email address will not be published. Alex, This site is owned and operated by Stephanie Alexandra Flassig. So this is the phrase you should use with your friends and family members. When meeting friends and family in casual situations, people usually slightly bow their head (similar to a nod). And there are a lot of other ways to ask Whats up? or Hows it going? in Japanese such as Saikin dou?
When you meet someone for the first time this is the standard semi-formal Japanese greeting you should use. Both boys and girls can use it, but the greeting has a slightly more feminine touch. I'm a German native living in Tokyo. While this Japanese greeting might feel unnatural or a bit strange, this is actually one of the most common ways to say hello to your friends in Japan. So here is how to say hello in Japanese in casual, formal, and semi-formal situations. Alex desu. The sentence end particle makes the sentence sound a bit softer. They have the same meaning and are interchangeable. While this is another set response in Japanese, maybe the closest thing we have in English is, See you later, alligator After while, crocodile! ???? Judging from my own experience in Japan so far, it only seems to be used in anime, though. ), or just their name Tatsuro-kun. If someone bows to you while standing, it is expected you will also stand and bow. While this is often translated into How are you, it cant quite be used the same way as we do in English. (). ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} While this literally means to go and come back, the English equivalent is closest to, See you later! You probably cant imagine saying that to your boss, and you shouldnt! For instance, in semi-formal situations, people tend to bow at about a 30-degree angle for one to two seconds. So with close friends, family members, or other people you know well you can drop the formalities and just greet them with Ohayou (). Tadaima () means Im home, Im back, or I have returned home and is used to greet everyone when you arrive back home. NATIVE WAY JAPANESE AMMO (https://youtu.be/xU2UoujQwU0), The Meaning Of Daisuki Say I Love (You) In Japanese. )Yaa Casual Greeting Between Close Friends. As a general rule of thumb, the shorter the phrase, the more casual it is.greetingHisashiburiresponseO-HisashiburiHisashiburi(or Hisashiburi, Hisashiburi desu ne, etc. The standard response would be either Arigatou (, thank you) or Tadaima (, Im home).greetingYoukosoresponseArigatou(or Tadaima)Youkoso Formal Greeting Upon Arrival After a Long Trip. In Japanese bowing etiquette, people do not place their palms together. Here is my introduction as an example Hajimemashite. I always say it when I arrive at Narita airport in Japan after visiting my family and relatives in Germany, hehe.greetingTadaimaresponseOkaeri(or okaeri nasai)Tadaima Greeting When You Come Home, While the person who arrives back home greets everyone who is at home with Tadaima, the people who are at home say hello using the phrase Okaeri nasai (, ). Sakura-chan wa?(or any other casual phrase to ask How are you?)O-Genki Desu Ka? Domo (), also often written as Doumo, is another useful phrase that is used in all kinds of situations. People are expected to be still when bowing. However, it is primarily used during the daytime from around 11:00 in the morning until 17:00 (5 p.m.) in the afternoon. Only when you go hiking in the mountains you will hear it a lot and you can use Konnichiwa to greet other hikers.greetingKonnichiwaresponseKonnichiwaKonnichiwa The Most Common Formal Hello. Also, when you write it it is . Obviously, is the most casual version of this phrase. A unified, searchable interface answering your questions on the worlds cultures and religions. For the pronunciation of most of the phrases, you can check out Japanese Ammo with Misas video. Saying Ko-ni-chi-wa instead of Kon-ni-chi-wa is a common mistake. Konnichiwa () is the most basic Japanese greeting and means hello or good afternoon in English. )Yahhoo Very Casual Greeting Between Teenagers. Because this is definitely a casual phrase in Japan! )Haroo Loanword Mostly Used by Teenager. web browser that document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. When greeting acquaintances of similar social status and age, people tend to follow a standard sitting or standing bow. When you arrive at Narita airport, for example, you will be greeted with the words Nihon he youkoso () aka Welcome to Japan. While we obviously encourage you to learn Japanese with us, were also here to help if you just want to pick up a few phrases before your next trip to Tokyo. If you bump into your friend unexpectedly you can exchange the A~ with O () or Oo (, , ) which is an exclamation of slight surprise and well means Oh or Oh hey!, Oh hi!, etc. Ohayoo, konnichiwa and atsui desu ne etc. Whenever this happens feel free to respond with hello in English or any other Japanese greeting you know including Haroo, Konnichiwa, etc.greetingHaroo!responseKonnichiwa!(or Haroo, Hello, etc. Generally, bowing is a mark of respect and emphasises social rank between people. supports HTML5 video. Please note that using the polite honorific suffix san () is better here since this is the formal version of the phrase. If you want to be more polite or respectful use the formal Okeari nasai, though. Without (gozaimasu) the phrase turns into a casual version of good morning and can be used in the same situations as the common shortening Morning!. It can also be used at work when you return to the office after you went out to grab or eat lunch, for example. Speaking while bowing is considered rude. Take the first syllable o and the last one su and you get Osu.greetingOssu!responseOsu(or Ussu, Ossu, Yoo!, etc)Osu Very Casual Greeting Only Used Among Guys. Compared to Hisashiburi it seems to be more formal, but to tell you the truth I have personally never encountered or used this phrase in Japanese before. Okeari (, ) is the casual version of Okaeri nasai. Just like you would probably say Excuse me, sir to your boss in America instead of Hey, man! there are also rules for formality in Japan. )Douma Casual and Slightly Old-Fashioned Greeting. Usually when you havent met for at least 2 3 weeks and all the way up to several months and years. Here we have the complete opposite.