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Essentials きほん · Stop E06

あいさつ

Hello, good morning and goodbye in Japanese

You're staying at a cosy guesthouse in Asakusa. You already know sumimasen and arigatou gozaimasu. Now for greetings, which change with the time of day. Greet people morning, afternoon and evening, and say good night and goodbye.

  • 浅草 · Set in Asakusa
  • 5-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

konnichiwa

Hello. / Good afternoon.

The daytime hello, from late morning until it gets dark.

ohayou gozaimasu

Good morning.

Use it until about 10 or 11 a.m. The short ohayou is for friends.

おはようohayou · good morningございますgozaimasu · (polite ending)

konbanwa

Good evening.

Your hello once it's dark outside.

oyasuminasai

Good night.

For bedtime or parting late at night. It's never a hello.

おやすみoyasumi · restなさいnasai · (please do)

doumo

Thanks. / Hi.

A light, all-purpose thanks or hi. Perfect when someone hands you something.

sayounara

Goodbye.

A real, slightly final goodbye. When leaving a shop, arigatou gozaimasu fits better.

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

itterasshaimase

Have a nice day! (as you head out)

Hotel staff say this when you leave for the day. Literally 'go and come back'.

You

ittekimasu

I'm off! See you later.

okaerinasaimase

Welcome back.

Hotel or guesthouse staff greeting you when you return.

You

tadaima

I'm back!

Culture tip

No Need to Echo

Staff call out irasshaimase when you walk in. It's a welcome, not a question, so you don't need to reply. A nod or a smile is perfect. Save konnichiwa for people you actually chat with, like a guesthouse host or a guide.

“When staff say irasshaimase, you should say irasshaimase back.”

Practise scene

Good Morning, Good Night

A small family-run guesthouse in Asakusa. The owner greets you at breakfast, and again when you come back at night.

Mrs. Tanaka · Guesthouse owner

  1. Your turn: It's 8 a.m. Mrs. Tanaka is at the front desk. Greet her.

    ohayou gozaimasu

    Good morning.

  2. ohayou gozaimasu. kyou wa ii tenki desu ne.

    Good morning. Lovely weather today, isn't it?

  3. Your turn: She hands you a map of Asakusa. Thank her, short and sweet.

    doumo

    Thanks.

  4. itterasshai!

    Have a great day!

  5. Your turn: You come back at 8 p.m. It's dark out. Greet her.

    konbanwa

    Good evening.

  6. okaerinasai.

    Welcome back.

  7. Your turn: You're exhausted. Say good night as you head to your room.

    oyasuminasai

    Good night.

  8. oyasuminasai. yukkuri yasunde kudasai ne.

    Good night. Get some good rest.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3