おはようございます、良い一日を
Ohayou gozaimasu, yoi ichinichi o
The English phrase "good morning, have a nice day" is translated into Japanese as おはようございます、良い一日を (Ohayou gozaimasu, yoi ichinichi o).
A polite greeting used in the morning that also wishes the other person a pleasant day.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle を at the end of the phrase indicates that "a good day" is the object of an implied verb, such as "to spend" or "to have".
How do you pronounce it?
Ohayou gozaimasu, yoi ichinichi o
Did you know?
- In many Japanese workplaces, coworkers will say おはようございます to each other even if they are meeting for the first time that evening. It functions more as a 'first greeting of the work shift' than a time-of-day marker.
- In Japan, you would almost never say 良い一日を to a stranger or a superior, even if it sounds kind. It is a Western-style expression that can feel overly familiar or even slightly patronizing in traditional Japanese social structures.
- While おはようございます is used for 'good morning', the word 'morning' itself comes from 早い (hayai), meaning 'early'. Historically, this greeting was used for anyone performing their first task of the day, regardless of the actual time.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are leaving for work from their home.
- 美咲 Misakiおはようございます、良い一日を。Ohayou gozaimasu, yoi ichinichi o.Good morning, have a nice day.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。美咲さんもね。Arigatou. Misaki-san mo ne.Thanks. You too, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、また後でね。Hai, mata ato de ne.Yes, see you later.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、気をつけて。Un, ki o tsukete.Yeah, take care.
