10 Essential Japanese Greetings You Should Know

 If you're learning Japanese, one of the first things to master is basic greetings. Japanese people use specific greetings depending on the time of day, formality, and situation. Using the right greeting helps you sound more natural and polite.

In this article, we’ll introduce 10 of the most important Japanese greetings, their meanings, and how to use them.

1. はじめまして (Hajimemashite)

Meaning: Nice to meet you
Used when meeting someone for the first time. Often followed by a self-introduction.

2. おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu)

Meaning: Good morning
Polite and commonly used in the morning. You can say just "おはよう" with friends or family.

3. こんにちは (Konnichiwa)

Meaning: Hello / Good afternoon
Used from late morning until evening.

4. こんばんは (Konbanwa)

Meaning: Good evening
Used when greeting someone in the evening.

5. おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai)

Meaning: Good night
Said before going to bed. With close friends or family, just "おやすみ" is fine.

6. いってきます (Ittekimasu)

Meaning: I'm leaving (and I’ll come back)
Said when leaving the house. The reply is "いってらっしゃい" (Itterasshai).

7. ただいま (Tadaima)

Meaning: I'm home
Used when returning home. The response is "おかえりなさい" (Okaerinasai).

8. ありがとう / ありがとうございます (Arigatou / Arigatou gozaimasu)

Meaning: Thank you
"ありがとうございます" is the polite version. Use "ありがとう" with people you know well.

9. すみません (Sumimasen)

Meaning: Excuse me / I’m sorry
Used to apologize, get someone’s attention, or thank someone in a humble way.

10. さようなら (Sayounara)

Meaning: Goodbye
This is a formal goodbye and not used for casual daily farewells. For casual use, "じゃあね" (Jaa ne) or "またね" (Mata ne) is better.

Quick Reference Table

You can download it below and start practicing today.

[Download Worksheet – PDF]

Learning these greetings is an important step toward natural Japanese communication. Use them often, and you'll make a great impression.