Learning basic phrases is essential when you want to communicate with the locals while visiting Japan. Two common greetings to start your day and introduce yourself are “Good Morning” and “Nice to Meet You.” In this guide, we will provide you with both formal and informal ways to express these phrases in Japanese, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations.
Table of Contents
1. Formal “Good Morning” and “Nice to Meet You”
Formal greetings are crucial when you are meeting someone for the first time or addressing someone in a professional setting. Use the following phrases to show respect:
1.1 “Good Morning” – おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu)
The formal way to say “Good Morning” in Japanese is ‘おはようございます’ (Ohayou gozaimasu). This phrase is commonly used until around 10 AM. Here, ‘おはよう’ (Ohayou) means ‘good morning,’ and ‘ございます’ (gozaimasu) is a polite form of the copula ‘to be.’
Example: おはようございます、田中さん。
(Ohayou gozaimasu, Tanaka-san.)
Good morning, Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
1.2 “Nice to Meet You” – はじめまして (Hajimemashite)
When meeting someone for the first time, you can use the phrase ‘はじめまして’ (Hajimemashite), which translates to “Nice to Meet You” or “Pleased to meet you.” This phrase is considered formal and respectful.
Example: はじめまして、私はアリスです。
(Hajimemashite, watashi wa Arisu desu.)
Nice to meet you, I am Alice.
2. Informal “Good Morning” and “Nice to Meet You”
When greeting friends, family, or anyone in a casual environment, you can use the following less formal expressions:
2.1 “Good Morning” – おはよう (Ohayou)
For an informal way to say “Good Morning” in Japanese, simply use ‘おはよう’ (Ohayou). This variant is suitable when addressing people you are familiar with.
Example: おはよう、みなさん！
(Ohayou, minasan!)
Good morning, everyone!
2.2 “Nice to Meet You” – よろしく (Yoroshiku)
When meeting someone in a more casual setting or among friends, ‘よろしく’ (Yoroshiku) works well. This phrase conveys the meaning of “Nice to Meet You” as well as “Please treat me well.”
Example: よろしくお願いします、新しい友達！
(Yoroshiku onegaishimasu, atarashii tomodachi!)
Nice to meet you, new friend!
3. Regional Variations
Japan consists of various regions, and while the basic greetings remain the same, there may be some slight variations in specific areas. Here is an example of a regional variation of “Good Morning” in the Kansai dialect:
3.1 Kansai Dialect – おはよ (Ohayo)
In the Kansai region, people commonly use ‘おはよ’ (Ohayo) instead of ‘おはよう’ (Ohayou) to say “Good Morning” in a more casual way.
Example: おはよ、みんな！
(Ohayo, minna!)
Good morning, everyone!
Conclusion
Now you know how to say both “Good Morning” and “Nice to Meet You” in Japanese, both formally and casually. Remember to consider the context and relationship with the person you are greeting to choose the appropriate level of formality. Understanding these basic Japanese greetings will help you to initiate conversations and make a positive impression when interacting with Japanese speakers. Practice these phrases and enjoy using them during your future encounters in Japan!
