How do you say hello and thank you in Japanese?
To say hello in Japanese, use "Konnichiwa" during the day and "Konbanwa" in the evening. To thank someone, say "Arigatou gozaimasu" (formal) or simply "Arigatou" (informal).
Basic greetings
- « Konnichiwa » : hello, used from late morning until late afternoon
- « Konbanwa » : good evening, used from around 6pm
- « Ohayou gozaimasu » : good morning (until 10am), polite version
To say thank you
- « Arigatou gozaimasu » : thank you very much (polite form, recommended)
- « Arigatou » : thank you (casual form, between close people)
- « Doumo arigatou gozaimashita » : thank you very much for what you did (very polite)
Advice from our local agency
Japanese people greatly appreciate the effort foreigners make to speak their language, even imperfectly. A simple « Arigatou gozaimasu » accompanied by a slight bow of the head will open many doors for you and show your respect for Japanese culture.