おはよう、ダーリン
ohayō, dārin
The English phrase 'good morning darling' is translated into Japanese as おはよう、ダーリン (ohayō, dārin).
This phrase is a greeting used in the morning for a romantic partner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of おはよう, which is the casual form of 'good morning' and the loanword ダーリン, meaning 'darling'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase is informal and used between close partners.
How do you pronounce it?
ohayō, dārin
When do people say it?
Using the loanword ダーリン can sound somewhat stylized or theatrical in Japanese, as many couples use names or other terms of endearment instead.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the concept of 'morning' in greetings is tied to the first time you see someone that day, regardless of whether it is 6 AM or 11 AM.
- Japanese has no single, native equivalent for 'darling'. To express the same affection without the English loanword, couples often use the word 大好き meaning 'love very much'.
- The 'o' at the start of おはよう is an honorific prefix. Even in the casual form used with a partner, this prefix remains to soften the tone of the greeting.
Examples in context
- おはようございます、愛しい方。眠れたかな、夢の中で一緒にいたような気がして嬉しいです。良い一日を過ごしてくださいね。Good morning, my beloved. I wonder if you slept well, it felt like we were together in a dream, and it makes me happy. Have a wonderful day.
Example conversation
A couple is waking up in their bedroom.
- 結衣 Yuiおはよう、ダーリン。ohayou, daarin.Good morning, darling.
- 蓮 Renおはよう、結衣。ohayou, Yui.Good morning, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui今日はいい天気だよ。kyou wa ii tenki da yo.The weather is nice today.
- 蓮 Renそうだね。ゆっくり起きようか。sou da ne. yukkuri okiyou ka.You're right. Shall we wake up slowly?
