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The phrase “good morning” is a common greeting used in Japan, and is considered the respectful way to greet both strangers and friends before 10 a.m. There are two ways to say “good morning” in Japanese: the casual, informal way and the polite, formal way.
Steps
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![Step 1 Say “ohayo.]()
Say “ohayo.” Ohayo literally means “good morning,” and is pronounced “oh-high-yoh,” similar to the pronunciation of the state “Ohio.”[1] -
![Step 2 Perform a small head nod when saying “good morning” informally to friends and family members.]()
Perform a small head nod when saying “good morning” informally to friends and family members. This movement is considered the casual way to bow if you are from the United States or another country, and aren’t familiar with traditional Japanese bowing etiquette.[2]
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![Step 1 Say “ohayo gozaimasu.]()
Say “ohayo gozaimasu.” This phrase is pronounced “oh-high-yoh go-zah-ee-moss,” with the letter “u” silent.[3] -
![Step 2 Accompany the phrase...]()
Accompany the phrase “good morning” with a deep bow between 30 and 90 degrees at the waist if greeting someone formally and politely, or when greeting a superior. This is the appropriate way to deliver the greeting “good morning” in formal situations when spending time in Japan.[4]
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do you say the numbers 1–10 in Japanese?
Community AnswerIchi, ni, san, yon, go, roku, nana, hachi, kyuu, juu. In characters: 一、二、三、四、五、六、七、八、九、十。いち、に、さん、よん、ご、ろく、なな、はち、きゅう、じゅう。 -
QuestionHow do I say "I love you" in Japanese?
Community AnswerYou could say "Watashi wa anata o aishiteimasu," but it depends on the context and who you are saying it to. For instance, if you're speaking to a friend or a romantic partner, you would say "Aishiteimasu" or "aishiteru."
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QuestionIn Japanese,what does "kornichi wah" mean?
Community AnswerIt's not "kornichi wah," it's "konichiwa." It means hello.
Video
Tips
Warnings
- Make a habit of saying “good morning” to all people you interact with when spending time in Japan or with people of Japanese origin. Japanese culture considers it rude not to greet someone when the moment presents itself, or to greet someone in an offhand, lazy manner.Thanks
References
About This Article
If you want to say “Good morning” to family or friends in Japanese, nod your head slightly as you say “Ohayo,” which is pronounced “oh-high-yoh.” When you’re in a more formal situation or talking with someone who deserves a lot of respect, use the phrase “Ohayo gozaimasu.” Pronounce it as “Ohio go-za-ee-moss,” with the letter "u" silent. Also, make a 30-90 degree bow at the waist when you say it to help convey your respect. To learn how and when it’s appropriate to say “Good morning” in Japanese when you’re in Japan or around Japanese people, read on!
