おばさん、こんにちは
obasan, konnichiwa
The English phrase "hello aunt" is translated into Japanese as おばさん、こんにちは (obasan, konnichiwa).
This phrase is used as a greeting when speaking to one's aunt or to an older woman. While it is used for relatives, the term for aunt is also the standard way to address a middle-aged woman who is not a member of your family.
How do you pronounce it?
obasan, konnichiwa
Did you know?
- A slight change in the vowel sound can turn おばさん ('aunt') into おばあさん ('grandmother'). Adding a second 'a' sound completely changes the age of the person you are greeting.
- The word こんにちは is derived from a longer phrase meaning 'today is…'. Historically, speakers would finish the sentence with a comment about the weather or a wish for a good day.
- If you want to be more respectful to a woman who is not your relative, you might use お姉さん (onēsan), which literally means 'older sister'.
Examples in context
- おばさん、こんにちは、お元気ですか？Obasan, konnichiwa, ogenki desu ka?Hello, aunt, how are you?
- おばさん、こんにちは。久しぶりですね。Obasan, konnichiwa. Hisashiburi desu ne.Hello, aunt. It has been a long time.
Example conversation
Yui meets her aunt on the street while walking with her brother Yota.
- 結衣 Yuiおばさん、こんにちは！Obasan, konnichiwa!Hello aunt!
- 陽太 Yotaこんにちは。結衣ちゃん、大きくなったね。Konnichiwa. Yui-chan, ookiku natta ne.Hello. Yui, you've grown so much.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 陽太 Yota陽太くんも、こんにちは。Yota-kun mo, konnichiwa.Hello to you too, Yota.
