よう
yōcasual, anime, mostly boys
In anime, a casual "hi" is often よう (yō), a short greeting between friends, mostly among boys. おっす (ossu) is rougher and やっほー (yahhō) is a bright, cheerful hello.
Meaning: casual greeting heard in anime (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| よう | yō | casual, anime, mostly boys |
| おっす | ossu | rough, anime, mostly boys |
| やっほー | yahhō | cheerful, anime, often girls |
These greetings show up between classmates and friends, and each one also gives a hint about the character's personality.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
None of them suit a teacher or a boss. For polite hellos you would use こんにちは (konnichiwa) instead.
When do people say it?
やっほー is also the shout that hikers send across mountains, a bit like "yoo-hoo".
Did you know?
- おっす is strongly linked with martial arts clubs and sports teams, which is a big reason it feels so energetic in anime.
Examples in context
- よう、げんきか。Yō, genki ka?Hey, how are you?
- おっす、きょうもはやいな。Ossu, kyō mo hayai na.Hey, you're early again today.
- やっほー、まった？Yahhō, matta?Hi, did you wait long?
Example conversation
Kaito meets Mio in front of the school gate, in the style of a school anime scene.
- Kaitoよう、ミオ。Yō, Mio.Hey, Mio.
- Mioやっほー、カイト！Yahhō, Kaito!Hi, Kaito!
- Kaitoおっす、きょうもげんきだな。Ossu, kyō mo genki da na.Hey, you're full of energy again today.
- Mioもちろん！Mochiron!Of course!
