おはようございます
ohayou gozaimasupolite, standard
The respectful way to say "good morning" in Japanese is おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu). Adding ございます (gozaimasu) makes it polite. It is also called お早うございます (ohayou gozaimasu).
Meaning: polite morning greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | ohayou gozaimasu | polite, standard |
| お早うございます | ohayou gozaimasu | polite, kanji spelling |
It is used in the morning until about late morning. Many workplaces use it as the first greeting of the day even in the afternoon, when someone arrives for the first time.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The short おはよう (ohayou) is for family, friends and people younger than you. Use おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) with bosses, teachers, neighbors and strangers.
When do people say it?
A small bow often goes with it, deeper for a superior. You can add a name, as in 田中さん、おはようございます (Tanaka-san, ohayou gozaimasu).
Did you know?
- The word おはよう (ohayou) comes from an old adjective meaning "early", so the greeting started as a remark about being up early.
Examples in context
- おはようございます、先生。Ohayou gozaimasu, sensei.Good morning, teacher.
- 部長、おはようございます。Buchou, ohayou gozaimasu.Good morning, manager.
- おはようございます。今日もよろしくお願いします。Ohayou gozaimasu. Kyou mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Good morning. Thank you for your help today too.
Example conversation
Employee Emi greets her manager Mr. Kato at the office entrance.
- Emi加藤部長、おはようございます。Katou buchou, ohayou gozaimasu.Good morning, Manager Kato.
- Katoおはよう。今日も早いね。Ohayou. Kyou mo hayai ne.Morning. You are early again.
- Emiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
