Master Basic Greetings in Japanese!

Home > Master Course > Basic Greetings & Essential Phrases > Master Basic Greetings in Japanese!

Master Basic Greetings in Japanese!

\ Learn Essential Everyday Phrases /

In Japanese conversation, greetings are very important. Simple phrases like “Ohayou” (Good morning), “Konnichiwa” (Hello), and “Arigatou” (Thank you) may be short, but they help you express your feelings and build better relationships with others. In this lesson, you’ll learn common Japanese greetings while also picking up tips on **how to use them naturally and politely.

Learning Tips

In Japanese, greetings involve not just words but also facial expressions and bowing.
Depending on the situation or your relationship with the person, switch between formal and casual styles.
The best way to improve is to practice out loud as often as possible!

1. Essential Greetings in Daily Life

おはよう: In daily life in Japan, basic greetings such as “Ohayou gozaimasu” (Good morning), “Konnichiwa” (Good afternoon), and “Konbanwa” (Good evening) play an essential role. Being able to use these phrases naturally helps facilitate smooth communication and builds trust with others

Japanese	English
おはよう（ございます）Ohayou (gozaimasu).	Good morning (formal).
こんにちはKonnichiwa.	Good afternoon.
こんばんはKonbanwa.	Good evening.
さようならSayounara.	Good bye.
おやすみ（なさい）Oyasumi(nasai).	Good night(formal).

2. Greetings When Leaving and Returning Home

いってきます: In Japan, people say “Ittekimasu” when leaving home. It means “I’m off” or “I’ll go and come back.”
It shows respect to those staying behind and expresses the idea that you’ll return safely.
To someone leaving home, people say “Itterasshai” . It means “Take care” or “See you later.” It expresses hope for their safe return. It’s a daily phrase that helps build warm, caring relationships.

Japanese	English
いってきますIttekimasu.	I’m leaving.
いってらっしゃいItterasshai.	Have a good day.
気きを付つけてKi wo tsukete.	Take care.
ただいまTadaima.	I’m home.
おかえりなさいOkaerinasai.	Welcome back.

3. Mealtime Greetings

いただきます: “Itadakimasu” is a common Japanese phrase said before eating a meal. While it may seem similar to “Let’s eat” in English, it carries a deeper cultural meaning of gratitude and respect. “Gochisousama deshita” is a traditional phrase said after finishing a meal. It expresses gratitude not only to the person who prepared or provided the food but also to the ingredients and lives that made the meal possible.

Japanese	English
いただきます。Itadakimasu.	Let’s eat.
ごちそうさま。Gochisousama.	Thank you for the meal.
ごちそうさまでした。Gochisousamadeshita.	Thank you for the meal.
おかわりをください。Okawari wo kudasai.	Can I have some more please?
おいしかったです。Oishikatta desu.	It was delicious.

4. Showing Appreciation After Work or Effort

おつかれさまでした: “Otsukaresama deshita” is a commonly used Japanese expression to show appreciation for someone’s hard work or effort. It is often said after finishing work, meetings, or any activity, and it conveys respect, gratitude, or recognition of someone’s effort.

Japanese	English
Good job. / Well done.	A casual way to praise someone for their effort. Often used when a task is completed successfully.
Thank you for your hard work.	A polite and appreciative phrase, often used in business settings.
You must be tired.	A casual way to show empathy for someone who has worked hard.
I appreciate your effort.	A formal and respectful way to express gratitude.

Learning Tips

While “otsukaresama deshita” can be used in a variety of contexts and to both superiors and peers, English requires different phrases depending on the situation and relationship. For example, “Thank you for your hard work” is more appropriate in formal or business settings, while “Good job” is suitable for casual situations.