みんな、こんにちは
minna, konnichiwa
In Japanese, "hello guys" is expressed as みんな、こんにちは (minna, konnichiwa).
The phrase is an informal greeting used to address a group of people. Note that konnichiwa is typically used during daylight hours, while konbanwa is used after dark for good evening.
What does it mean word for word?
みんな (minna) literally means "everyone" or "everybody".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
みんな、こんにちは is an informal phrase best suited for friends, peers or a casual audience like a YouTube vlog. For a much more formal and polite greeting suitable for business or public speaking, you should use 皆様、こんにちは.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, people may use the colloquial greeting もうかってんか.
How do you pronounce it?
minna, konnichiwa
Did you know?
- The phrase こんにちは is written with the character は but is pronounced as 'wa'. This is because it originally functioned as a topic marker in a longer sentence meaning 'As for today…'.
- In a group setting, Japanese speakers often avoid direct eye contact with every individual while saying みんな, instead using a general sweeping gesture or a slight nod to the whole group.
- If you are greeting a group of people you do not know in a shop or restaurant, using みんな (minna) would be considered quite rude and overly familiar.
Examples in context
- みんな、こんにちは！minna, konnichiwa!Hello guys!
- みんな、こんにちは。元気ですか？minna, konnichiwa. genki desu ka?Hello guys. How are you?
- みんな、こんにちは。授業を始めます。minna, konnichiwa. jugyou o hajimemasu.Hello guys. I will begin the class.
Example conversation
Misaki arrives at a cafe where her friends are waiting.
- 美咲 Misakiみんな、こんにちは！待たせてごめんね。Minna, konnichiwa! Matasete gomen ne.Hello guys! Sorry for keeping you waiting.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、こんにちは！大丈夫だよ。Misaki, konnichiwa! Daijoubu da yo.Hello Misaki! It's okay.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう。何飲んでるの？Arigatou. Nani nonderu no?Thanks. What are you drinking?
- 大翔 Hirotoアイスコーヒーだよ。Aisu kōhī da yo.It's an iced coffee.
