As the Japanese saying goes “Start with a bow and end with a bow”, Japanese people regard being polite and expressing it by greetings as very important. Let’s learn key phrases here! *() shows Keigo (polite form).
Japanese Greetings for Various Situations
Daily Japanese Greetings
| おはよう（ございます）。 |
| Good morning. |
| こんにちは。 |
| Good afternoon. |
| こんばんは。 |
| Good evening. |
| おやすみ（なさい）。 |
| Good night. |
Seasonal Greetings
| メリークリスマス |
| Merry Christmas. |
| 良いお年を（お迎えください）。 |
| Have a good New Year. |
| あけましておめでとう（ございます）。 |
| Happy New Year. |
Farewell Greetings
| ばいばい。 |
| Bye-bye. |
| さようなら。 |
| Good-bye. |
| ごきげんよう。 |
| Good-bye. *Only middle aged ladies use |
| また 後で / 今度 / 明日。 |
| See you later / next time / tomorrow. |
| ～～ に気をつけて。 |
| Take care of ~~. *We usually mention a specific object such as 「車に気をつけて。」 |
Apologetic Phrases
Casual
ごめん（なさい）。
Neutral
すみません（でした）。
Formal
申し訳ありません（でした）。
Japanese Traditional or Unique Greetings
| いってきます。 |
| *When you leave your place |
| いってらっしゃい。 |
| *When you see people out |
| ただいま（戻りました）。 |
| *When you are back |
| おかえり（なさい）。 |
| *When someone is back |
| おじゃまします。 |
| *When you visit someone’s place |
| いらっしゃい。 |
| *When someone visits your place |
| いただきます。 |
| *When you start eating |
| ごちそうさま（でした）。 |
| *When you finish eating |
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Business Japanese Greetings
| いらっしゃいませ。 |
| Welcome to our shop, restaurant, etc. |
| いつもお世話になっております。 |
| I appreciate your help as always. *It’s almost always used when you meet an acquaintance. |
| ご無沙汰しております。 |
| It has been a long time since I met you last. |
| 失礼します。 |
| Excuse me. |
| かしこまりました。 |
| Certainly. |
| お先に失礼します。 |
| See you tomorrow. *Lit: Excuse me for leaving before you. |
Conclusion
Some of them can not be translated because the phrases are related Japanese cultures. If you come to know even the culture, you will certainly prevent making a mistake in vocabulary. Let’s learn together next.
Recommended Links
10 Ways of Saying “I’m late” in Japanese
15 Phrases: How to Say “You’re Welcome” in Japanese
25 Phrases: How to Say “Thank You” in Japanese
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