おはようございます
ohayō gozaimasu[o̞ha̠jo̞ː ɡo̞za̠ima̠sɨ̥]
The English phrase "good morning mam" can be translated into Japanese as おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu).
おはようございます is a respectful way to say "good morning" in Japanese.
Which one should you use?
The shortened form おはよう is used with friends, family or subordinates, whereas the full form おはようございます is required for superiors or strangers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix ございます is a polite auxiliary that elevates the phrase from a casual greeting to a formal one.
Did you know?
- In certain traditional industries like entertainment or theater, performers say おはようございます to one another even late at night.
- Unlike English, Japanese has no direct equivalent for 'mam'. Respect is built into the verb ございます and the bowing gesture rather than a specific title for women.
- Historically, the phrase was part of a longer sentence that meant 'it is early', but over centuries it was shortened into a standard greeting.
Examples in context
- 先生、おはようございます。Sensei, ohayou gozaimasu.Good morning, teacher.
- 店長、おはようございます。Tenchou, ohayou gozaimasu.Good morning, manager.
Example conversation
A son greets his mother in the kitchen in the morning.
- 陽太 Yotaお母さん、おはようございます。Okaasan, ohayou gozaimasu.Good morning, mom.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、おはよう。Youta, ohayou.Good morning, Youta.
- 陽太 Yota朝ごはんはまだですか？Asagohan wa mada desu ka?Is breakfast not ready yet?
- 美咲 Misakiもう少し待ってね。Mou sukoshi matte ne.Wait just a little longer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry おはようございます, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries おはようございます, CC BY-SA 4.0.
