Greetings in Japanese

Find common greetings and phrases in Japanese, and how to pronounce them.

Greetings

Term/Phrase

Translation

Transliteration

Pronunciation

Recording

Hello (formal)

こんにちは

Konnichiwa

Kohn-nee-chee-wah

Listen

Hello (informal)

Not used in this language

N/A

N/A

N/A

Greetings everyone

皆さん、こんにちは

Minasan, konnichiwa

Mee-nah-san, kon-nee-chee-wah

Listen

How are you? (formal)

お元気ですか

Ogenki desu ka

Ogen-kee dess-kah

Listen

Thank you

ありがとう

Arigatou

Ah-ree-gah-toh

Listen

Good morning

おはようございます

Ohayou gozaimasu

Oha-yo go-zai-ma-su

Listen

Good afternoon

こんにちは

Konnichiwa

Kohn-nee-chee-wah

Listen

Good evening

こんばんは

Konbanwa

Kon-bahn-wah

Listen

Good night

おやすみなさい

Oyasuminasai

Oh-ya-soo-mee-nah-sai

Listen

 

Other useful words and phrases

Term/Phrase

Translation

Transliteration

Pronunciation

Recording

Excuse me*

しつれいします

Shitsureishimasu

Shi-tsu-re-i-shi-mas-u

Listen

*when leaving or entering a place, it can be used to excuse yourself politely. And when given an opportunity to do something before anyone else.

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