Japanese Greetings: 30 Phrases You Need to Know

Person taking a bow

Japanese Greetings for Various Situations

As the Japanese saying goes "Start with a bow and end with a bow", Japanese people regard being polite and expressing it by greetings as very important. Let's learn key phrases here!  *() shows Keigo (polite form).

Daily Japanese Greetings

おはよう(ございます)。
Good morning.
こんにちは。
Good afternoon.
こんばんは。
Good evening.
おやすみ(なさい)。
Good night.

Seasonal Greetings

メリークリスマス
Merry Christmas.
いおとしを(おむかえください)。
Have a good New Year.
あけましておめでとう(ございます)。
Happy New Year.

Farewell Greetings

ばいばい。
Bye-bye.
さようなら。
Good-bye.
ごきげんよう。
Good-bye. *Only middle aged ladies use
また あとで / こん / 明日あした。 
See you later / next time / tomorrow.
~~ にをつけて。
Take care of ~~. *We usually mention a specific object such as 「くるまをつけて。」

Apologetic Phrases

Casual

ごめん(なさい)。

Neutral

すみません(でした)。

Formal

もうわけありません(でした)。

Japanese Traditional or Unique Greetings

いってきます。
*When you leave your place
いってらっしゃい。
*When you see people out
ただいま(もどりました)。
*When you are back
おかえり(なさい)。
*When someone is back
おじゃまします。
*When you visit someone’s place
いらっしゃい。
*When someone visits your place
いただきます。
*When you start eating
ごちそうさま(でした)。
*When you finish eating

Business Japanese Greetings

いらっしゃいませ。
Welcome to our shop, restaurant, etc.
いつもお世話せわになっております。
I appreciate your help as always. *It’s almost always used when you meet an acquaintance.
無沙汰ぶさたしております。
It has been a long time since I met you last.
失礼しつれいします。
Excuse me.
かしこまりました。
Certainly. 
さき失礼しつれいします。
See you tomorrow. *Lit: Excuse me for leaving before you.

Conclusion

Some of them can not be translated because the phrases are related Japanese cultures. If you come to know even the culture, you will certainly prevent making a mistake in vocabulary. Let's learn together next. 

Recommended Links

10 Ways of Saying “I’m late” in Japanese

15 Phrases: How to Say “You’re Welcome” in Japanese

25 Phrases: How to Say “Thank You” in Japanese