How Japanese Greet During a Day

1️⃣ The Mistake Most Beginners Make with “Konnichiwa”

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) = “Hello/Good afternoon”

Many Japanese learners assume that Konnichiwa can be used at any time of the day, but native speakers almost never say it in the morning. If you greet someone with Konnichiwa at 8 AM, it might sound unnatural. This is because Konnichiwa was originally part of a longer phrase: こんにちは、ご機嫌いかがですか？ (Konnichiwa, gokigen ikaga desu ka?), meaning “Good day, how are you?” Over time, it was shortened to just こんにちは (Konnichiwa), making it appropriate only from late morning until early evening.

If you want to sound more natural in Japanese, remember this simple rule: use “Ohayou gozaimasu” in the morning, “Konnichiwa” in the afternoon, and “Konbanwa” in the evening.

2️⃣ Morning Greetings in Japanese

• おはよう (Ohayou) = “Good morning” (casual, used with family and friends).
• おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) = “Good morning” (polite, used in workplaces and formal settings).

In the morning, Japanese speakers greet each other with Ohayou in informal settings, such as among friends or family members. However, in professional environments, おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) is preferred, as it adds a level of respect.

Interestingly, in industries like film, media, and entertainment, employees use おはようございます at any time of the day. This tradition comes from the idea that each work shift is like a “new morning,” no matter when it starts. So, if you hear someone saying Ohayou gozaimasu at 8 PM on a Japanese film set, don’t be surprised—it’s part of the industry culture!

3️⃣ Afternoon Greetings: The Meaning of Konnichiwa

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) = “Hello/Good afternoon”.

As the morning hours pass, Japanese people switch to Konnichiwa as the standard greeting. In Japan, the afternoon greeting こんにちは (Konnichiwa) is more than just a simple “hello”—it carries a subtle sense of formality and neutrality. Unlike おはよう (Ohayou), which feels warm and familiar, Konnichiwa is often used in semi-formal interactions. This makes it ideal for conversations with teachers, colleagues, or people you’re not particularly close with.

For example, when entering a store, it’s common for a customer to say Konnichiwa to the shopkeeper, signaling politeness without being overly friendly. Similarly, when greeting a neighbor in passing, Konnichiwa strikes the perfect balance between casual and respectful.

Interestingly, Konnichiwa is rarely used in intimate or emotional conversations. Close friends or family members often skip greetings entirely or replace them with something more relaxed, like 元気？(Genki?) meaning “How are you?” or a simple wave. If a Japanese person greets you with Konnichiwa, it often implies a slightly reserved tone, making it less common in highly personal interactions.

Culturally, Konnichiwa is also used in formal speeches and announcements. In business meetings, public addresses, or official settings, speakers often begin with “皆さん、こんにちは！(Minasan, Konnichiwa!)” meaning “Hello, everyone!” This structured usage further distinguishes it from morning and evening greetings, which are rarely used in such contexts.

Understanding when to use Konnichiwa correctly can help learners sound more natural and avoid overly casual or overly formal speech in the wrong setting. Next time you’re in Japan, try paying attention to how locals use it—it’s more nuanced than it seems!

4️⃣ How to Say Good Evening in Japanese

• こんばんは (Konbanwa) = “Good evening” (used after sunset).
• お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) = “Thank you for your hard work” (commonly used at work).

As the sun sets, greetings change to Konbanwa, which is the standard way to say “Good evening.” Just like Konnichiwa, this greeting was originally part of a longer phrase: こんばんは、ご機嫌いかがですか？ (Konbanwa, gokigen ikaga desu ka?), meaning “Good evening, how are you?” Over time, people stopped using the full sentence, and Konbanwa became the common greeting.

In workplaces, you’ll often hear お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) instead. This phrase has no direct English equivalent, but it expresses appreciation for someone’s hard work—similar to saying, “You must be tired” or “Thanks for your efforts.” At the end of the workday, employees leaving the office often say お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu), meaning “Excuse me for leaving first,” and the polite response is お疲れ様でした (Otsukaresama deshita) to acknowledge their work.

If you ever work in Japan, you’ll quickly notice that Otsukaresama desu is one of the most frequently used phrases in professional settings!

5️⃣ Special Greetings in Japanese Culture

• はじめまして (Hajimemashite) = “Nice to meet you” (used only for first-time introductions).
• いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase) = “Welcome!” (used by store staff for customers).
• ただいま (Tadaima) & おかえり (Okaeri) = “I’m home” & “Welcome back!” (used at home).

Apart from time-based greetings, Japanese has unique greetings for specific situations.

When meeting someone for the first time, はじめまして (Hajimemashite) is used to say “Nice to meet you.” This phrase is often followed by よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu), which expresses a desire for a good relationship.

In shops and restaurants, you’ll hear いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase), a phrase used by staff to welcome customers. Unlike “Hello,” this greeting doesn’t require a response—just a polite nod or smile is enough.

At home, family members have their own set of greetings. When returning home, people say ただいま (Tadaima), meaning “I’m home,” and the response is おかえり (Okaeri) or おかえりなさい (Okaeri nasai), meaning “Welcome back!” These small exchanges help reinforce warmth and connection within Japanese families.

Finally, Japanese greetings are deeply connected to time, social status, and cultural traditions. Practice everyday so you won’t mix them up the next time you meet local people. Here are some tools that are suggested by many Japanese leaners:

• Apps to learn Japanese effectively: HeyJapan, Mazzi,…
• Browser plugins for more convenient process of learning:Rikaikun, Safarikai,…
• Japanese keyboard: You can change this in the settings of your MAC/Windows

So next time you’re about to say Konnichiwa in the morning—stop! Switch to Ohayou gozaimasu instead.