コンニチハ
konnichiwakatakana
In katakana, "hello" is written コンニチハ (konnichiwa). It is not the usual spelling, and the standard form is hiragana こんにちは (konnichiwa). It is also called ハロー (harō) and ハイ (hai).
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| コンニチハ | konnichiwa | katakana |
| ハロー | harō | katakana, loanword |
| ハイ | hai | katakana, loanword |
The loanword ハロー (harō) is written in katakana and used for English-style "hello", for example in titles. Katakana for こんにちは is used for emphasis or in signs for foreign visitors.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Katakana ハイ (hai) from English "hi" looks like はい (hai), "yes", so context matters.
Did you know?
- Katakana is mostly used for foreign loanwords, names and emphasis.
Examples in context
- ハロー、ジャパン！Harō, Japan!Hello, Japan!
- コンニチハ。Konnichiwa.Hello.
Example conversation
A tour Guide writes a greeting on a sign for a Visitor.
- Guideここに「コンニチハ」と書きます。Koko ni "Konnichiwa" to kakimasu.I write "Konnichiwa" here.
- Visitorカタカナですね。Katakana desu ne.It is katakana.
- Guideそうです。外国の方向けです。Sō desu. Gaikoku no kata muke desu.Yes. It is for foreign visitors.
