皆、おはよう
mina, ohayou
The phrase "good morning guys" in Japanese is expressed as 皆、おはよう (mina, ohayou).
This phrase is a casual greeting used to say hello to a group of people in the morning.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 皆 (mina) means "everyone" or "everybody", serving as the equivalent of "guys" in this context.
Which one should you use?
While 皆、おはよう is used for casual settings, you should use the polite form おはようございます if you are addressing a group of superiors, teachers or strangers.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 皆、おはよう is informal and should only be used with friends, peers or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the word for "everyone" (mina) is placed at the beginning of the greeting to address the group.
How do you pronounce it?
mina, ohayou
Did you know?
- The word おはよう is actually the continued form of an adjective meaning 'early'. By saying it, you are essentially telling the group 'you are early'.
- In Japanese workplaces, even if it is late in the afternoon, staff often greet each other with おはよう when starting a shift or meeting for the first time that day.
- In very casual settings, people may drop the お (o) from おはよう and simply say はよう, which is particularly common in the Kansai region.
Examples in context
- Ohayō Gozaimasu, minasan. (おはようございます、皆さん。)Good morning, everyone.
- Ohayō, minna! (おはよう、みんな！)Good morning, guys!
- 皆、おはよう！今日も頑張ろう。Minna, ohayou! Kyou mo ganbarou.Good morning, guys! Let's do our best today.
- 皆、おはよう。コーヒー飲む？Minna, ohayou. Koohii nomu?Good morning, guys. Want some coffee?
Example conversation
At a shared office kitchen in the morning.
- 大翔 Hiroto皆、おはよう。Minna, ohayou.Good morning, guys.
- 結衣 Yui大翔君、おはよう。Hiroto-kun, ohayou.Good morning, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto今日は早いね。Kyou wa hayai ne.You're early today.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、準備したかったから。Un, junbi shitakatta kara.Yeah, I wanted to get prepared.
