Greetings set the tone for every Japanese conversation. In this beginner workshop, you will practice choosing between formal and informal greetings and responding naturally. You will hear native examples and then try three short speaking tasks. You can play both roles with audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself. This page is speaking practice only; the explanation lesson remains a separate URL.
Morning Greetings: Formal and Informal
In the morning, you can say «おはようございます» (ohayō gozaimasu), which means 'Good morning' in a formal way. Use it with superiors, strangers, or in formal settings. It is commonly used until around 10-11 AM, but can be used later in the morning in some workplaces. With close friends, family, or people of lower status, you can say «おはよう» (ohayō), meaning 'Morning' informally. A common exchange is: Person A says «おはようございます。» (Good morning.) Person B replies «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?) Person A agrees: «そうですね。» (Yes, it is.) Then Person B says «では、失礼します。» (Well then, excuse me.) This shows a polite morning greeting and a natural closing.
Afternoon and Evening Greetings
From late morning until early evening, use «こんにちは» (konnichiwa), meaning 'Hello' or 'Good afternoon'. It is neutral and safe in most situations. After dark, use «こんばんは» (konbanwa), meaning 'Good evening'. It is also neutral politeness. Unlike morning greetings, these do not have a separate formal and informal version in this lesson. So you can use «こんにちは» and «こんばんは» with most people. Remember that «おはようございます» is formal, while «おはよう» is informal. Choose based on your relationship and the setting. If you are meeting your boss at 2 PM, «こんにちは» is acceptable, though a bow and a more formal workplace phrase might be more common.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
おはようございます
Good morning (formal)
ohayō gozaimasu
おはよう
Morning (informal)
ohayō
こんにちは
Hello / Good afternoon
konnichiwa
こんばんは
Good evening
konbanwa
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
おはようございます。
Good morning.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?そうですね。
Yes, it is.では、失礼します。
Well then, excuse me.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Morning Exchange
You are Person A in a formal morning setting. You will greet Person B and respond to their comment about the weather. Use the native lines from the recording.
Your task: As Person A, say «おはようございます。» Then listen as Person B says «おはようございます。今日はいい天気ですね。» Respond with «そうですね。» Person B closes with «では、失礼します。» Play both roles once, keeping this order.
Choose the Right Reply
You hear a greeting and must choose the best reply from two options. This tests your understanding of formal versus informal and time of day.
Your task: For each situation, say the correct reply aloud. 1) A coworker says «おはようございます。» in the morning. Reply formally: «おはようございます。» or informally: «おはよう»? 2) A close friend says «おはよう» in the morning. Reply informally: «おはよう» or formally: «おはようございます»? 3) Someone says «こんにちは» in the afternoon. Reply with «こんにちは» or «こんばんは»?
Recall and Role-Play
You will recall the greetings and use them in two short role-plays. First, you are a customer entering a shop in the evening. Second, you are a staff member greeting a customer in the morning.
Your task: 1) As a customer in the evening, greet the staff with «こんばんは». 2) As a staff member in the morning, greet the customer formally with «おはようございます». Then switch roles and repeat.
Common questions
When should I use «おはよう» versus «おはようございます»?
Use «おはようございます» in formal situations, with superiors, strangers, or in workplaces. Use «おはよう» with close friends, family, or people of lower status. If you are unsure, «おはようございます» is safer.
Can I use «こんにちは» in the evening?
No, «こんにちは» is used from late morning until early evening. After dark, use «こんばんは». Using «こんにちは» at night may sound odd.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: greetings formal informalChecked September 2026
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