Translation guide
In Japanese, greetings are highly context-dependent and often formulaic. The appropriate expression varies based on time of day, relationship, and situation. Direct translations of 'greetings' as a noun are less common than specific greeting phrases.
To greet someone with a standard, polite expression depending on the time of day.
Good morning (polite). Used until around 10-11 AM.
おはようございます、田中さん。
Good morning, Mr. Tanaka.
Hello / Good afternoon. Used from late morning until evening. Note the particle は is pronounced 'wa'.
こんにちは、いい天気ですね。
Hello, nice weather, isn't it?
Good evening. Used after dark. Note the particle は is pronounced 'wa'.
こんばんは、お元気ですか。
Good evening, how are you?
To greet friends, family, or close acquaintances in informal situations.
Casual 'good morning'. Drop ございます for informal settings.
おはよう、よく寝た？
Morning! Did you sleep well?
Casual 'hi' or 'hey', similar to English. Used among friends, especially males.
やあ、久しぶり。
Hey, long time no see.
A very casual, multipurpose greeting. Can mean 'hi', 'thanks', or 'sorry' depending on context.
どうも、また会ったね。
Hey, we meet again.
To introduce oneself and exchange standard pleasantries upon first meeting.
Nice to meet you (used at the beginning of a self-introduction). Literally 'for the first time'.
はじめまして、山田と申します。
Nice to meet you, I'm Yamada.
Please treat me favorably / I look forward to working with you. Often said after はじめまして.
はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。
Nice to meet you. I look forward to our relationship.
To announce one's return or arrival, or to welcome someone back.
I'm home / I'm back. Said when returning home.
ただいま！
I'm home!
Welcome back / Welcome home. Response to ただいま.
おかえりなさい、疲れたでしょう。
Welcome back, you must be tired.
To express gratitude before and after eating.
Said before eating. Literally 'I humbly receive', expressing gratitude for the food.
いただきます！
Let's eat! / Thank you for the meal (before eating).
Said after eating. Thank you for the meal. Can be shortened to ごちそうさま in casual settings.
ごちそうさまでした、とても美味しかったです。
Thank you for the meal, it was delicious.
To convey greetings appropriate for specific occasions or seasons, often in written form.
Happy New Year (formal). Used after the new year begins.
あけましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願いします。
Happy New Year. I look forward to your continued friendship this year.
Happy birthday (polite). Can be shortened to お誕生日おめでとう in casual settings.
お誕生日おめでとうございます！
Happy birthday!
To refer to the act or custom of greeting, or to send regards.
Greeting, salutation. Can refer to both the act and the words used. Used in phrases like 挨拶をする (to greet) or 挨拶を交わす (to exchange greetings).
朝の挨拶は大切です。
Morning greetings are important.
彼に挨拶をしてください。
Please give him my regards.
Please send my regards / Please say hello to ~. A common way to convey greetings to someone not present.
ご家族によろしくお伝えください。
Please give my regards to your family.
English speakers often want a direct equivalent for the noun 'greetings', but in Japanese, specific greeting phrases are used instead. Using 挨拶 is correct but less common in daily speech than simply saying the appropriate greeting.
In Japan, greetings are often accompanied by a bow. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the formality of the situation. A slight nod is casual, while a deep bow is very formal.