みなさん、おはようございます
minasan, ohayou gozaimasu
The English phrase "good morning class" can be said in Japanese as みなさん、おはようございます (minasan, ohayou gozaimasu).
This phrase is used by a teacher to address their students at the start of a class in the morning. While English speakers often say "class," Japanese speakers naturally use みなさん (everyone) to address the group of students instead of a specific word for "class."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase おはようございます is the polite form of "good morning."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard, polite way to address a class is みなさん、おはようございます. A teacher might use the shortened version おはよう to create a warm and approachable atmosphere, or the informal みなさん、おはよう to address students in a very casual setting, as dropping ございます makes the greeting informal.
How do you pronounce it?
minasan, ohayou gozaimasu
Did you know?
- While おはようございます is a morning greeting, the word おはよう literally means 'early', reflecting the historical idea of greeting someone who woke up early to start work.
- In Japanese schools, students often respond to the teacher's greeting by standing up and bowing in unison before saying おはようございます.
- The phrase おはようございます is used even in the afternoon if it is the first time the teacher and students are seeing each other that day in certain professional contexts.
Examples in context
- おはようございます、クラスの皆さん！Good morning, everyone in the class!
- おはよう、生徒の皆さん！Good morning, students!
- みなさん、おはようございます。授業を始めます。Minasan, ohayou gozaimasu. Jugyou o hajimemasu.Good morning, class. Let's begin the lesson.
- みなさん、おはようございます。元気ですか？Minasan, ohayou gozaimasu. Genki desu ka?Good morning, class. How are you doing?
Example conversation
A teacher enters the classroom to start the morning lesson.
- 陽太 Yotaみなさん、おはようございます。Minasan, ohayou gozaimasu.Good morning, class.
- 美咲 Misaki先生、おはようございます！Sensei, ohayou gozaimasu!Good morning, teacher!
- 陽太 Yota今日もよろしくお願いします。Kyou mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I look forward to working with you today as well.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、よろしくお願いします。Hai, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Yes, we look forward to it.
