Japanese Greetings: Choosing Formal or Informal for the Right Situation
Learn to choose between formal and informal Japanese greetings like おはようございます and おはよう, and know when each is appropriate based on context and relationship.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Japanese, the greeting you choose depends heavily on who you are speaking to and the situation. Using the wrong level of formality can sound rude or overly stiff. This lesson teaches you the most common initial greetings and how to pick the right one for different relationships and settings. You will learn both formal and informal versions, and practice choosing between them. We focus only on greetings when you first meet someone or start a conversation, not on farewells.
By the end, you can…
- choose between formal and informal Japanese greetings based on context and relationship.
- use おはようございます and おはよう correctly in different situations.
- greet someone appropriately in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
おはようございます
Good morning (formal)
ohayō gozaimasu
Use in the morning with superiors, strangers, or in formal settings. Commonly used until around 10-11 AM, but can be used later in the morning in some workplaces.
おはよう
Morning (informal)
ohayō
Use with close friends, family, or people of lower status (like younger siblings) in the morning. Not appropriate with superiors or in formal settings.
こんにちは
Hello / Good afternoon
konnichiwa
Neutral greeting used from late morning until early evening. Safe in most situations, but not overly formal.
こんばんは
Good evening
konbanwa
Used after dark. Neutral politeness, suitable for most situations.
おっす
Hey (very casual)
ossu
Very informal greeting among close male friends, especially younger people. Avoid in polite company.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Japanese greetings often have a formal and informal pair. The formal version usually ends with ございます (gozaimasu) or uses a polite form. For example, おはようございます is formal, while おはよう is informal. Similarly, こんにちは and こんばんは are neutral and can be used in most situations, but they do not have a more formal version. To make them more formal, you can add a title or use them with a bow. The key is to match the greeting to the relationship: use formal with superiors, strangers, and in business settings; use informal with close friends and family.
When to use it
Use おはようございます when you arrive at work in the morning, greet a teacher, or meet someone older or of higher status. Use おはよう with your friends, siblings, or classmates you are close to. こんにちは is safe for most daytime greetings, but if you are meeting your boss at 2 PM, こんにちは is acceptable, though a bow and a more formal phrase like お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) might be more common in workplaces. こんばんは is used after dark in both formal and informal situations, but for very formal settings, you might combine it with a bow. おっす is only for very casual situations, like greeting a close friend at school.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
おはようございます。
Good morning.ohayō gozaimasuおはようございます。今日はいい天気ですね。
Good morning. Nice weather today, isn't it?ohayō gozaimasu. kyō wa ii tenki desu neそうですね。
Yes, it is.sō desu neでは、失礼します。
Well then, excuse me.dewa, shitsurei shimasuA little context goes a long way
In Japanese culture, greetings are often accompanied by a bow. The depth of the bow can indicate the level of respect. For casual greetings, a slight nod is fine. In business settings, a 30-degree bow is common. Also, using the correct greeting shows awareness of social hierarchy, which is important in Japan. When in doubt, it's safer to use a more formal greeting, as using an informal one with a superior can be seen as rude.
One thing to watch for
Using おはよう with your boss or teacher.
Try this instead: Use おはようございます with superiors. For example, when greeting your boss in the morning, say おはようございます, not おはよう.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are meeting your friend in the morning. Which greeting do you use?
Show a sample answer
おはよう
おはよう is the informal morning greeting, appropriate for close friends. おはようございます would be too formal for a close friend, though it's not wrong if you want to be extra polite.
2You arrive at your office at 9 AM and see your manager. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
おはようございます
おはようございます is the formal morning greeting, suitable for your manager. Using おはよう would be too casual and potentially rude.
3It's 7 PM and you meet your neighbor. Which greeting is appropriate?
Show a sample answer
こんばんは
こんばんは is the standard evening greeting, neutral in politeness, and works well with neighbors. おはよう is only for mornings, and こんにちは is for daytime.
Choose your Japanese greeting based on the time of day and your relationship with the person. When in doubt, use the more formal version to avoid being rude.
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