BASIC GREETINGS / TIME

Around 5:00 AM / 朝5時ごろ

• Japanese: おはようございます。

• Romaji: Ohayō gozaimasu.

• English: Good morning. (Formal)

💡 Cultural Tip: This phrase is used when greeting someone who is starting their day or their work. It is not used for people who are finishing their shift and heading home. 

Around 9:00 AM  / 9時ごろ

• Japanese: おはようございます。

• Romaji: Ohayō gozaimasu.

• English: Good morning. (Formal)

💡 TIP: You can use this greeting until around 10:00 AM. After that, it is more natural to switch to "Konnichiwa" (Hello/Good afternoon). 

Around 10:00 AM /  朝10時ごろ

• Japanese: こんにちは。

• Romaji: Konnichiwa.

• English: Good afternoon / Hello.

• Tip: This is the most versatile greeting used throughout the day.

Around 9:00 PM  / 夜9時ごろ

• Japanese: こんばんは。

• Romaji: Konbanwa.

• English: Good evening.

💡 TIP: Use this as your standard greeting when meeting someone in the evening. 

• Japanese: おやすみなさい。 

• Romaji: O-yasumi nasai.

• English: Good night.

💡 TIP: Use this phrase only when you or the other person are going to bed. It is not used as a general evening greeting. 

Farewell Phrases for the End of the Day   / 一日の終わりの挨拶

1.「お疲れ様でした。」

• Romaji: O-tsukaresama deshita.

• English: Thank you for your hard work today. / You’ve worked hard today.

• Tip: This is a versatile and essential Japanese phrase. It’s perfect for saying to staff at the end of the day.

2.「良い夜を。」

• Romaji: Yoi yoru o.

• English: Have a good night.

💡 TIP: 「良い夜を」の使い分け (How to use "Yoi yoru o")

• Meaning: "Yoi yoru o" translates to "Have a good night." It carries a positive, warm nuance of wishing someone, "Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

• Polite form: You can also say "Yoi yoru o o-sugoshi kudasai" for a more formal and gracious tone, which means, "Please spend a lovely evening."

• Difference from "O-yasumi nasai":

  • Yoi yoru o: Use this when someone is still going to be awake and enjoying their evening.

  • O-yasumi nasai: Use this only when you are both ready to go to sleep.

3.「明日もよろしくお願いします。」

• Romaji: Ashita mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

• English: I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

• Tip: Use this when you are staying at the same inn for multiple nights.

4.「おやすみなさい。」

• Romaji: O-yasumi nasai.

• English: Good night.

💡 TIP: 「おやすみなさい。」の使い分け (How to use "O-yasumi nasai")

• Meaning: This is the standard phrase for "Good night."

• Usage: Use this strictly when you or the other person are going to bed.

• Cultural note: Unlike "Good night" in English, which can sometimes be used as a general farewell in the evening, "O-yasumi nasai" is specifically used to wish someone a good night's rest as they end their day.