先生、こんにちは
sensei, konnichiwa
To say "good afternoon, teacher" in Japanese, use 先生、こんにちは (sensei, konnichiwa).
In Japanese, the title 先生 is placed before the greeting rather than after it.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word こんにちは, the particle wa is written using the Japanese character ha (は).
How do you pronounce it?
sensei, konnichiwa
When do people say it?
The term 先生 is used as a direct address for teachers, doctors and lawyers. Instead of using a person's name followed by a title, you address them directly as 先生.
Did you know?
- The word 先生 (sensei) literally translates to 'one who has gone before' or 'one who was born before'. It treats the teacher's position as one of temporal and experiential precedence.
- The greeting こんにちは was originally the start of a longer sentence asking 'How are you getting along today?', which is why it ends with the topic marker は.
- In some highly formal school settings, a student might omit the greeting entirely and simply bow deeply to the teacher. A silent, respectful bow can sometimes carry more weight than a spoken 'good afternoon'.
Examples in context
- 教室で先生、こんにちはと言いました。Kyoushitsu de sensei, konnichiwa to iimashita.I said, "Good afternoon, teacher," in the classroom.
- 先生、こんにちは、お元気ですか？Sensei, konnichiwa, o genki desu ka?Good afternoon, teacher, how are you?
Example conversation
Youta and Himari meet their teacher in the hallway.
- 陽太 Yota先生、こんにちは。Sensei, konnichiwa.Good afternoon, teacher.
- 陽葵 Himariこんにちは。二人とも、どうしたの？Konnichiwa. Futari tomo, doushita no?Good afternoon. What is up with you two?
- 陽太 Yota質問があるんです。Shitsumon ga arun desu.I have a question.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですよ。教室に行きましょう。Ii desu yo. Kyoushitsu ni ikimashou.That's fine. Let's go to the classroom.
