Most learners know こんにちは — but Japanese greetings go much deeper. Native speakers use different expressions based on time of day, relationship, and context. Here’s the full picture beyond the textbook basics.
| Expression | Reading | When Used | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | ohayou gozaimasu | Morning | Formal morning greeting |
| おはよう | ohayou | Morning | Casual — friends/family |
| こんにちは | konnichiwa | Midday/afternoon | Standard neutral |
| こんばんは | konbanwa | Evening | Standard evening |
| お疲れ様です | otsukaresama desu | After work / colleague greeting | “Good work” / end of day |
| ただいま | tadaima | Arriving home | “I’m home” |
| おかえり(なさい) | okaeri(nasai) | Response to ただいま | “Welcome back” |
| いってきます | ittekimasu | Leaving home | “I’m heading off” |
| いってらっしゃい | itterasshai | Response to いってきます | “Take care / off you go” |
Morning Greetings
Yukaおはようございます！今日もいい天気ですね。
(Good morning! It’s lovely weather again today.)
Reiおはようございます！そうですね、気持ちいいですね。
(Good morning! Yes, it feels wonderful.)
おはようございます is formal — use it with teachers, colleagues, and anyone you’re not on casual terms with. おはよう (without ございます) is for friends, family, and close coworkers.
お疲れ様 — The Workplace Greeting
Yuka「お疲れ様です」は仕事仲間に使う魔法の言葉！
(「お疲れ様です」is the magic phrase for workplace colleagues!)
Reiご苦労様（ございます）は目上から目下への言葉だから注意して！
(ご苦労様 is from superior to subordinate — be careful!)
| Expression | Direction | Use |
|---|---|---|
| お疲れ様です | Any direction | Standard after work / passing colleague |
| お疲れ様でした | Any | At the very end of the workday |
| ご苦労様でした | Superior → subordinate ONLY | Boss to employee after a task |
Home Arrival and Departure Phrases
Yuka「ただいま」と「おかえり」はセットで覚えてね。
(Learn ただいま and おかえり as a pair.)
| You Say | They Say | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| ただいま (I’m home) | おかえり(なさい) (Welcome back) | Arriving home |
| いってきます (I’m off) | いってらっしゃい (Take care / Off you go) | Leaving home |
| 行ってきます (same) | 気をつけて (Be careful) | Leaving (casual alternative) |
Casual Greetings with Friends
| Casual Expression | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| やあ / やっほー | Hey / Yo | Very casual, friends |
| どうも | Hey / Thanks | Versatile short greeting |
| 久しぶり！ | Long time no see! | Reunion with friends |
| お久しぶりです | Long time no see (polite) | Reunion, formal |
| 元気？ | How are you? | Casual check-in |
Quick Quiz
1. You arrive home. What do you say? → _____
→ ただいま
2. A colleague passes you at 5pm. → _____
→ お疲れ様です
3. You see a friend you haven’t seen in months. → _____
→ 久しぶり！
Have you used these phrases? Share your experience in the comments! 💬
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