Your Definitive Information to Japanese Greetings (Etiquette Suggestions Included!)

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To begin any dialog on the suitable foot, you want the suitable greeting for the scenario. Saying “Hey! What’s up?” to family and friends is regular, however possibly lower than superb to your boss. Likewise, a proper handshake along with your mom might not be essentially the most pure gesture. When talking Japanese, having an understanding of etiquette and acceptable Japanese greetings is crucial. 

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Know your etiquette: Saying hey in Japanese

Earlier than we dive into phrases, let’s check out physique language and timing—which may each be simply as vital because the phrases themselves. Whereas there are dozens of intricacies behind Japanese etiquette, there are a couple of key factors to remember.

Bowing is the best! It’s a particularly versatile gesture that can be utilized in virtually any scenario. Somewhat than a handshake, it’s well mannered to bow when greeting somebody. Even slightly head bob is adequate in informal conditions. For formal interactions, a slight bend on the waist along with your arms resting in your thighs is extra acceptable. It is usually price noting that bowing with palms pressed collectively in entrance of your chest shouldn’t be accomplished in Japan. Shut bodily contact, together with hugging and kissing, can also be a agency no.

In some locations, equivalent to in houses or colleges, footwear are eliminated on the door and exchanged for slippers. For those who see a shelf with footwear lined up or a recessed lobby with footwear on the decrease part, there’s a good probability that you’re anticipated to take away yours. Pay attention to your environment and don’t be afraid to ask the individuals round you if you’re uncertain.

Earlier than you say a single phrase, being punctual makes the very best first impression. Timeliness is vital in Japanese tradition, which means tardiness is frowned upon. Even the trains famously arrive on the scheduled time, with apologies supplied for any delay. When assembly with somebody new, arriving early to a gathering is even higher.

>> Evaluation our primer on Japanese honorifics to keep away from etiquette faux-pas! 

13 Japanese greetings for each scenario

The Japanese phrase for “greeting” is “aisatsu” (挨拶), and it encompasses all the things from the best hey to essentially the most formal goodbye. Most of the greetings beneath have grammar parts which might be simply omitted or modified to make a greeting formal or informal, however the most typical variants are listed. 

1. Konnichiwa (こんにちは)

Pronunciation: kohn-nee-chee-wah

Stage of ritual: Formal

That is essentially the most generic, well mannered solution to say “hey” to everybody from a stranger to a buddy. It will also be interpreted as “good afternoon,” so it’s most appropriately used from noon to the late afternoon. 

For those who can learn the hiragana (平仮名) characters for this phrase, the final letter might stand out. Somewhat than a wa (わ), it’s written with the letter ha (は). It’s because the letter ha is pronounced as wa when following the subject of a sentence. “Konnichiwa” actually means “as for at this time,” and was as soon as used as a part of an extended sentence when beginning a dialog. In trendy Japanese, it stands alone as a greeting, however the grammatical ha (pronounced wa) stays.

>> Grasp Japanese pronunciation with our full information to vowels, contracted sounds, and extra.  

2. Ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます)

Pronunciation: oh-ha-yoh goh-zah-ee-mahs

Stage of ritual: Formal

When greeting somebody earlier than midday, a “good morning” is the way in which to go. This can be utilized by anybody and for anybody, nevertheless it will also be shortened to ohayō for an informal greeting. Watch out to not pronounce it precisely just like the US state “Ohio,” though it’s related.

The gozaimasu on the finish of this phrase might be present in a number of different greetings as properly. Actually, the phrase is a proper model of “to exist.” Virtually talking, it provides an additional layer of politeness to the expression. 

3. Konbanwa (こんばんは)

Pronunciation: kohn-bahn-wah

Stage of ritual: Formal

When greeting somebody after sundown, we are saying “good night.” Similar to konnichiwa, the final letter of konbanwa is written with the letter ha (は) relatively than wa (わ). On this case, “konbanwa” actually means “as for tonight!” That is usually a extra formal greeting and doesn’t essentially have to be used with shut acquaintances.

4. Oyasuminasai (おやすみなさい)

Pronunciation: oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sah-ee

Stage of ritual: Formal

Able to say “good evening” on the finish of the day? Oyasuminasai has you lined. The ending ~nasai is a grammar construction for giving light instructions. Actually, this phrase interprets to “Please go relaxation.” To make it informal, simply drop ~nasai and easily say, “Oyasumi!” for a shortened model.

5. Sayōnara (さようなら)

Pronunciation: sah-yoh-nah-rah

Stage of ritual: Formal

The Japanese phrase for “goodbye” is pretty well-known, however do you know that it’s truly not often used? Sayōnara carries an implication that you just don’t count on to see the particular person you might be speaking to once more for a very long time, if in any respect. As an alternative, there are a number of context-based expressions to make use of at partings. 

In a proper scenario, equivalent to with coworkers, it’s extra pure to say one of many following:

6. Mata ne (またね)

Pronunciation: mah-tah neh

Stage of ritual: Informal

When saying goodbye to mates, use mata ne to say, “So long!” The same jaa ne (じゃあね) or jaa mata (じゃあまた) will also be exchanged to convey the identical which means. 

The phrase “mata” means “once more,” so the phrase that follows it may be changed with the time you count on to see the particular person. For instance, “Mata ashita” means “See you tomorrow.” Strive combining mata with a few of these time phrases for versatility:

>> Be taught conversational Japanese for ordering meals, navigating public transportation, and extra! 

7. Hisashiburi (久しぶり)

Pronunciation: hee-sah-shee-boo-ree

Stage of ritual: Informal

After not seeing somebody for a very long time, you would possibly say “Very long time no see!” Hisashiburi is essentially the most informal solution to say this, however you too can add the well mannered prefix “o-” to the start to make the marginally extra formal ohisashiburi. You can too go even additional and add the “to be” verb desu (です) to the top to make ohisashiburi desu. That is extra akin to “it has been a very long time,” and might be reserved for individuals it’s possible you’ll not know properly or wish to present respect to, equivalent to a boss.

8. Arigatō gozaimasu (ありがとうございます)

Pronunciation: ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs

Stage of ritual: Formal

All the time bear in mind to specific gratitude with a “thanks.” Similar to with “ohayō,” the gozaimasu might be dropped to make an off-the-cuff “arigatō” for family and friends. A couple of different variations embody:

9. Sumimasen (すみません)

Pronunciation: soo-mee-mah-sehn

Stage of ritual: Formal

Sumimasen, the Japanese phrase for “excuse me,” is a flexible greeting in on a regular basis life. You should utilize it whenever you unintentionally stumble upon somebody on a crowded subway or whenever you’re making an attempt to get somebody’s consideration. In eating places, it’s frequent for purchasers to name for his or her waiter by calling them with “Sumimasen!” after they want service relatively than ready for the employees to return to them.

This will even be used instead of a “hey” in sure conditions. For example, it will be well mannered to make use of sumimasen to say, “Excuse me, the place is Shinjuku Station?” if you happen to wanted to ask somebody for instructions.

10. Hajimemashite (初めまして)

Pronunciation: hah-jee-meh-mah-shee-teh

Stage of ritual: Informal

Use hajimemashite to say “Good to satisfy you!” That is usually reserved for extra informal interactions, equivalent to when being launched to a buddy of a buddy or different friends in social conditions. Providing your title at this juncture can also be a good suggestion. Simply say your title adopted by the “to be” verb, desu.

Hajimemashite will also be translated as “how do you do?” however this can be a relatively formal interpretation. The literal translation is “That is the primary time [we are meeting],” which is the first objective of the phrase. 

11. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします)

Pronunciation: yoh-roh-shee-koo oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs

Stage of ritual: Formal

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu has all kinds of meanings relying on context, however it’s virtually at all times accompanied with a well mannered bow. It roughly interprets to “please deal with me properly,” however its common use is to specific hopeful and constructive feelings towards a brand new interplay or relationship. Listed below are a couple of conditions the place it could be used and what the implied which means can be:

• Assembly somebody for the primary time: “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance and I hope we may have a very good relationship.”
• First day at work or faculty: “I stay up for working collectively and hope we are going to get alongside right here.”
• Requesting a favor: “Thanks upfront, and I recognize you serving to me.”
• Beginning a speech or presentation: “Thanks for listening and I hope we perceive each other.”

If the scenario is informal and amongst mates, a shortened “Yoroshiku!” will work simply as properly.

12. Ittekimasu (行ってきます) and itterasshai (行ってらっしゃい)

Pronunciation: ee-teh-kee-mahs and ee-teh-rah-shah-ee

Stage of ritual: Formal

These phrases accompany one another as a call-and-response when somebody is heading out. Ittekimasu actually means “I’ll go and are available again,” whereas itterasshasi means “please go and are available again.” In context, it’s extra like “I’m heading out” and “come again quickly.” This can be utilized when one particular person is leaving the home for college or work, with the particular person leaving saying ittekimasu and the particular person staying at house saying itterasshai. 

You’ll be able to hear these phrases in additional short-term contexts as properly. If an individual leaves their desk at work for a gathering, they may inform their close by coworkers “ittekimasu.” 

13. Tadaima (ただいま) and okaerinasai (お帰りなさい)

Pronunciation: tah-dah-ee-mah and oh-kah-eh-ree-nah-sah-ee

Stage of ritual: Formal

When returning house, you say tadaima for “I’m again!” to obtain a response of okaerinasai, or “Welcome again!” Similar to the earlier phrases used for leaving, these phrases will also be used when returning to your desk or classroom after a short while away. 

“Tadaima” actually means “proper now,” as in “you’ve returned simply now,” whereas “okaerinasai” means one thing akin to “you’ve returned.” In additional informal interactions, equivalent to between mates or household, okaerinasai might be shortened to okaeri.

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Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent speech-recognition engine is the right answer to fine-tune your pronunciation of those new expressions. Primarily based on knowledge from actual native audio system, it listens to you communicate and offers quick suggestions from the primary lesson. Greet the world in Japanese with confidence!

Written by Alexa Bevan