Japanese have their own way to say “Hello”, it is totally different from any other countries in the world. Greetings are diachronic and it also includes: posture or facial expression. Knowing rules in communication helps Japanese leaners to be fluent in this language easier. We will discuss several ways to say hello accompanied by greetings etiquette in Japanese. 

Why Greetings Matter that much in Japanese Culture

How important is Greetings in Japanese

A handshake, a nod, or even just a smile are common ways to say “hello” in many countries worldwide. However, greeting in Japan goes far beyond a simple exchange of pleasantries. It carries a deeper cultural significance, acting as an unspoken system of respect that reinforces social order and mutual acknowledgment.

In Japanese workplaces, employees greet each other in the morning with "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou gozaimasu)" regardless of their level of familiarity. Even if they don’t work closely together, skipping this morning greeting might be perceived as rude or distant. Similarly, at the end of the workday, many employees say "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)", meaning "Excuse me for leaving before you." This phrase expresses appreciation and respect for those who are still working.

Understanding these greeting customs is essential for anyone learning Japanese or planning to visit Japan. If you want to explore the different ways to greet people in Japanese, check out How to say Hello in Japanese for a full guide on the most natural and culturally appropriate greetings in different situations.

First Impressions and the Importance of Proper Greetings

Locals would judge you as soon as you greet them for the first time. Unlike in some cultures where a casual "Hi" works in almost any situation, Japanese greetings depend on context, social status, and formality.

For instance,if you meet an elder or business superior for the first time, it’s essential to greet politely and 45 requires a polite greeting and a bow. Never say ¿ (Yaa)" or "¿¿ (Yo)",or you would be seen as disrespectful in this context because those are only used with friends.

Something as minor as the greeting of a cashier carries meaning and reinforces social norms in Japan. When customers enter a shop or restaurant, the staff will often say "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Irasshaimase)", which is a welcoming phrase rather than a conversation starter. Some foreigners who come to Japan for the first time may respond but in fact, it's unnecessary

Understanding these small yet significant details will help you integrate into Japanese society more smoothly, whether you're visiting as a tourist or planning to stay long-term.

Different Ways to Say Hello in Japanese

Formal Greetings (For Business, Strangers, and Elders)

When speaking to someone older, in a professional setting, or meeting a person for the first time, formal greetings should always be used.

• ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou gozaimasu) – "Good morning" (formal, used until around 10 AM).
• ¿¿¿¿¿ (Konnichiwa) – "Hello" or "Good afternoon" (you can say it from late morning to early evening).
• ¿¿¿¿¿ (Konbanwa) – "Good evening" (used after sunset).

Casual Greetings (For Friends and Close Acquaintances)

Among friends, family, or people of the same social status, greetings can be more relaxed and informal.

• ¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou) – A shortened version of "Good morning¿" used casually.
• ¿¿ (Yaa) / ¿¿ (Yo) – Similar to "Hey" or "Yo" in English, typically used between close friends.
• ¿¿¿ (Genki?) – "How are you?" (literally means "Are you well?").

Business and Professional Greetings

In corporate Japan, greetings are even more structured, emphasizing hierarchy and politeness.

• ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Osewa ni natte orimasu) – A phrase commonly used in business emails and phone calls, roughly translating to "I appreciate your support."
• ¿¿¿¿¿ (Hajimemashite) – "Nice to meet you," only used during first-time introductions.

In business settings, bowing replaces handshakes in most cases, though international companies are becoming more open to Western customs.

Bowing in Japanese Greeting Etiquette

Bowing known as ¿¿¿ - Ojigi is an essential part of Japanese culture. While a handshake is enough to establish politeness in many cultures, in Japan, the depth and duration of a bow indicate the level of respect being shown.

• A shallow bow (15°) is common in casual settings or when greeting coworkers.
• A deeper bow (30°) is expected in business interactions or when meeting someone of higher status.
• A full 45° bow is reserved for deep apologies or moments of great respect.

While Western cultures prolonged eye contact is considered polite, Japanese think that keeping direct eye contact while bowing shows aggression. People often lower their gaze as a sign of humility.

How Japanese Greet in Different Situations

Friends vs. Elders and Superiors

When greeting friends, classmates, or people younger than you, Japanese culture allows for a more relaxed and informal approach. In these situations, people use shortened greetings, friendly expressions, and light gestures like a nod or a quick wave.

• • ¿¿ (Yaa) / ¿¿ (Yo) – The equivalent of "Hey!" or "Yo!" in English, mostly used among young people or close friends.
  • ¿¿¿ (Genki?) – A casual way to ask "How are you?" that doesn’t require a long response.

• ¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou) – "Good morning," but in an informal way (without "¿¿¿¿¿" which makes it more polite).

They help create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere among people of equal status.

Overly polite language among friends may come across as unnatural or distant.

Using the wrong level of politeness can make you seem too formal and stiff in social settings.

Now, let’s switch to the other side of the spectrum—formal greetings. Unlike casual settings, greetings in formal situations follow strict rules regarding language, body language, and tone. Failing to use formal greetings properly can come off as rude or disrespectful, even if unintentional.

• ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou gozaimasu) – "Good morning," used in workplaces and professional settings.
• ¿¿¿¿¿ (Konnichiwa) – "Good afternoon," a polite and neutral greeting suitable for most situations.
• ¿¿¿¿¿ (Hajimemashite) – "Nice to meet you," used in first-time introductions.
• ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Osewa ni natte orimasu) – A highly formal greeting used in business emails, meetings, or professional phone calls.

In addition to verbal greetings, bowing is a must in formal situations. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the level of respect you want to convey:

• 15° (¿¿ - Eshaku) – A light bow for casual greetings in professional settings.
• 30° (¿¿ - Keirei) – A standard business bow, used for greeting superiors or clients.
• 45° (¿¿¿ - Saikeirei) – A deep bow, showing deep respect or apology.

They acknowledge hierarchy—superiors, elders, and professionals expect respectful language. A lack of formality can make you seem rude or unprofessional, especially in business settings. Moreover, bowing appropriately enhances your credibility and politeness, making interactions smoother.

For example, greeting your company’s CEO with just a "¿¿!(Yo!)" would be extremely inappropriate. Instead, you should say "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿" (Ohayou gozaimasu) with a 30° bow to show proper respect.

How to Greet Someone in a Business Setting

Business greetings follow strict etiquette:

First of all - bow – The other person’s social rank decides the depth of your bow. Then say the appropriate phrase – "¿¿¿¿¿ (Hajimemashite)" for first meetings or "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿" in ongoing professional relationships.

Finally, exchange business cards – This is a crucial part of professional introductions in Japan. Always present your card with both hands.

Common Japanese Greeting Blunders That Make You Sound Unnatural

You are NOT or TOO polite

One of the biggest struggles for Japanese learners is figuring out when to use formal vs. informal speech. Japanese has multiple levels of politeness, and choosing the wrong one can make you sound either too casual (borderline rude) or overly stiff and distant.

Let’s say you greet your boss in the morning by casually saying "¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou)". While this works perfectly fine with friends, colleagues of the same status, or younger people, saying this to a superior might raise some eyebrows. Instead, the proper phrase is "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou gozaimasu)," which adds the polite ending "¿¿¿¿¿" to show respect.

On the flip side, using overly polite speech in a casual setting can make you sound awkward or unnatural. Imagine saying "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿" to your best friend—it would feel as stiff as greeting your roommate with "Good morning, Sir" in English! In this case, simply saying "¿¿¿¿" or even just nodding in acknowledgment is enough.

So How to Get It Right?
¿ Use informal speech with close friends and people younger than you.
¿ Stick to formal language when speaking to teachers, bosses, or strangers.
¿ When in doubt, err on the side of politeness—but don’t overdo it!

You don’t know how to bow correctly

Bowing (¿¿¿ – Ojigi) is a fundamental part of Japanese etiquette, but if you do it wrong, you might end up looking unnatural or even disrespectful.

Some learners make the mistake of bowing too deeply in casual settings, which can feel excessive—imagine bowing at a 45-degree angle just to say "Hi" to a friend! On the other hand, in formal settings like business meetings, not bowing at all can seem dismissive.

To make things more confusing, the depth and duration of a bow depend on the situation:

• 15° (¿¿ – Eshaku): A small nod of the head, used for casual greetings.
• 30° (¿¿ – Keirei): A moderate bow, commonly used in professional settings.
• 45° (¿¿¿ – Saikeirei): A deep bow, reserved for sincere apologies or showing deep respect.

You use "¿¿¿¿¿" (Konnichiwa) in Inappropriate Situations

"¿¿¿¿¿ (Konnichiwa)" isn’t as flexible aas "Hello" in English—it’s mainly used in the afternoon. Many learners mistakenly use it in the morning or late at night, which sounds unnatural to native speakers.

So, when should you actually use it?

• Morning (before noon): Say "¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou gozaimasu)" for formal situations or "¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou)" for casual ones.
• Afternoon (around 10 AM – sunset): This is the correct time to use "¿¿¿¿¿ (Konnichiwa)."
• Evening (after sunset): Instead of "Konnichiwa," use "¿¿¿¿¿ (Konbanwa)," which means "Good evening."

Imagine walking into a convenience store at 8 AM and saying "¿¿¿¿¿" to the cashier—it would sound as strange as saying "Good afternoon" when you just woke up!

Final Tips for Mastering Japanese Greetings

Mastering Japanese greetings isn’t just about memorization—it’s about using them confidently in real-life situations. The key? Practice, observe, and refine!

•  Practice actively: Chat with native speakers on HelloTalk or Tandem, join Discord and Reddit communities, or use apps like HeyJapan to perfect pronunciation. No partner? Try speaking to yourself in the mirror!
• Observe real-life usage: Greetings vary by context, age, and status. Watch dramas, anime, or YouTube to see how locals greet friends, colleagues, or superiors.
• Start simple & build up: Begin with ¿¿¿¿¿ (Konnichiwa), ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Ohayou gozaimasu), ¿¿¿¿¿ (Konbanwa) before expanding to casual and formal variations. Don’t forget intonation and bowing—they matter as much as the words!

Mistakes are part of the journey. The more you immerse, practice, and adapt, the more natural your greetings will become. Start now—say your first hello in Japanese today!