1.4 Greetings & Everyday Phrases

Japanese greetings change depending on the time of day and the situation.

The phrases here use the standard polite form, which is appropriate with anyone you do not know well. In casual speech with friends and family, many of these are shortened — for example, おはようございます becomes just おはよう, and ありがとうございます becomes ありがとう.

Time-of-day greetings

Meeting someone

When you meet someone for the first time, use はじめまして followed by your name, then close with よろしくお願いします. This phrase has no direct English equivalent — it roughly means "I look forward to our relationship."

Useful everyday phrases

すみません is especially versatile — use it to get someone's attention, to apologize for a small inconvenience, or even to thank someone for going out of their way.