おはようございます
ohayō gozaimasupolite, morning
In the morning, Japanese people say おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu). With friends and family it is shortened to おはよう (ohayō).
Meaning: morning greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おはようございます | ohayō gozaimasu | polite, morning |
| おはよう | ohayō | casual, morning |
It is the standard greeting from waking up until late morning, to neighbors, coworkers and teachers alike.
Which one should you use?
After the morning, the greeting changes to こんにちは (konnichiwa) during the day and こんばんは (konbanwa) in the evening.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The long form is polite and safe at work and with strangers. The short form is only for people close to you.
Did you know?
- おはよう comes from the old adjective 早い (hayai), "early", so the greeting started as a way of saying "it is early".
Examples in context
- おはようございます、よくねむれましたか。Ohayō gozaimasu, yoku nemuremashita ka?Good morning, did you sleep well?
- おはよう、きょうはさむいね。Ohayō, kyō wa samui ne.Morning, it's cold today.
- おはようございます、せんせい。Ohayō gozaimasu, sensei.Good morning, teacher.
Example conversation
Tanaka and Sato, two coworkers, meet at the office entrance at eight in the morning.
- Tanakaおはようございます、さとうさん。Ohayō gozaimasu, Satō-san.Good morning, Mr. Sato.
- Satoおはようございます。いいてんきですね。Ohayō gozaimasu. Ii tenki desu ne.Good morning. Nice weather, isn't it?
- Tanakaほんとうですね。Hontō desu ne.It really is.
