Interested in learning Japanese? start by learning exactly how to greet indigenous speakers with these means of speak “hello” in Japanese. 

Get the conversation rolling through the adhering to phrases and also words because that “hi” in Japanese and also many various other Japanese greetings.

You are watching: What does hi mean in japanese

And if you desire to learn an ext words and also phrases in Japanese, try Drops!

#1 こんにちは (konnichiwa) - “Hello” in Japanese

“Hello” in Japanese is likely an expression you’ve heard in the past, even if girlfriend haven’t ever studied the language before. Yet this no the expression you will do use v close girlfriend or family. While it have the right to be offered in both formal and informal situations, you’re much more likely come hear it used in between strangers or in much more formal situations.

こんにちは likewise literally means “good afternoon”, therefore you’ll typically here this said at that time.


*

#2 やあ! (Ya-) - “Hi” in Japanese

To say “hi” in Japanese, you merely say やあ. This expression, however, is really informal and also it’s frequently just supplied to take attention. 

#3 -ちゃん (-chan) or -さん (-san) - “Hey” in Japanese

Want come say “hey” in Japanese? A simple method to do this is by simply calling the various other person’s name. Therefore 雅ちゃん! (Miyabi-chan!) is very comparable to speak “hey, Miyabi!” in Japanese. 

#4 おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) - “Good morning” in Japanese

To say “good morning” in Japanese, you usage おはようございます. You’ll commonly hear this claimed at work in the mornings. In much less formal situations, you have the right to shorten it to おはよう (ohayou). 



#5 こんばんは (konbanwa) - “Good evening” in Japanese

To wish someone a great evening in Japanese, you use こんばんは. It’s a polite and also formal way to to speak “good evening” in Japanese. 

#6 お久しぶりですね (o-hisashiburi desu ne) - “Long time no see” in Japanese 

Has it to be a while since you’d last viewed the human you’re chatting with? usage this expression to say “it’s been a while” or “long time no see”. 

To make this expression less formal, just drop the お in ~ the start of the sentence. 

#7 ヤッホー (Ya-ho-) - “Yoohoo” in Japanese

This expression is more feminine and also childlike in use. It’s very casual and is simply used to record someone’s attention--particularly that of a close friend or child. The next phrase is a much more masculine expression.

#8 おす (Osu) - “Hey” in Japanese

This method of speak “hey” in Japanese is informal and also typically used by male speakers to other male speakers, yet of course, there are constantly exceptions to the rule!

#9 ただいまー (tadaima-) - “I’m back” in Japanese

When you return home, it’s usual to announce her arrival. In Japanese, you use ただいまー (tadaima-) come say “I’m back!” or “I’m home!”


via GIPHY


#10 はじめまして (hajimemashite) - “Nice to satisfy you” in Japanese

This is an expression you deserve to use when first meeting who to speak “nice to satisfy you”. The often followed by よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) i m sorry literally converts as “please watch after me” but is really simply another way to say “nice to meet you”. For this reason it’s common to hear: はじめまして. よろしくお願いします.

#11 いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) - “Welcome” in Japanese

If you go into a Japanese restaurant or store, you’ll likely be greeted with this phrase. It no something you will do say to a friend or household member visiting her home. Instead, you will do say お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) which way “sorry because that bothering you” and you’d be invited in through どうぞ (douzo) which way “go ahead”, “come in”, or also “after you”.

See more: How Is Mitosis Different In Plants And Animals & Higher Plants?

#12 もしもし (moshi moshi) - “Hello” on the call in Japanese

When you answer the call in Japanese, you can use the expression もしもし (moshi moshi). In much more formal situations, you’d answer the phone using “yes” or はい.



#13 いい天気ですね (Ii tenki desu ne) - “The weather’s pretty today” in Japanese

Weather is a usual topic in tiny talk, and also that’s no different in Japanese. You can greet someone through this expression to say something along the currently of “nice weather we’re having” or “the weather is pretty today” in Japanese. 

Choosing the Best way to speak “Hello” in Japanese

How do you recognize which of this fourteen expressions you have to use? relying on the context and also formality the the situation, certain Japanese greetings will be much more appropriate 보다 others. 

With friends and family, simply greeting someone through their name or ya- would work. However in more formal situations, choose work, school, or when talking to strangers, you may prefer to us konnichiwa

How to Say Hello in Japanese

Greetings aren’t just words girlfriend memorize. When you say hello, relying on where you are, you may hug or kiss the cheeks of the human being you’re greeting. In Japan, you’ll often bow. And if you understand the other person has actually a greater social or job-related ranking 보다 you, make certain you bow lower, otherwise it might be taken into consideration rude. 

When you room on familiar terms through someone, you can use their an initial name. However as a authorize of respect, you can resolve someone by their title and also last name or -san

Learn more Words and also Greetings in Japanese

Want to learn more words and greetings in Japanese? try Drops!