You’re headed to Tokyo and want to make a great first impression. Mastering japanese greetings polite phrases will help you blend in, win smiles, and show respect. In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn everything from basic hellos to bowing tips, plus words that open doors and warm hearts.
We’ll cover:
- How Japan’s language shapes respect
- Core greetings you’ll use every day
- Key honorifics and when to drop them in
- Thank-you and sorry phrases that sound natural
- Nonverbal cues that matter as much as words
- Common slip-ups to dodge
By the end, you’ll feel confident greeting locals in cafés, trains, shops, or during that first business chat. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
Learn greeting levels
Japanese politeness has layers that reflect respect and social rank. At the top you’ll hear keigo — advanced honorific speech. In the middle is teinei, the simple polite form many learners start with. And then there’s kudaketa, the plain form you use with friends.
Plain vs polite forms
- Plain form (kudaketa) feels casual. You’d say “taberu” for “eat.”
- Simple polite (teinei) adds “-masu” or “-desu.” You get “tabemasu.”
- Advanced polite (keigo) shifts both verb and subject. It sounds more formal in business settings (Dynamic Language).
Honorific speech (sonkeigo)
Honorifics lift your listener’s status. You might swap “kuru” (come) for “irasshaimasu.” Use sonkeigo with clients, elders, or anyone you wish to flatter (Dynamic Language).
Humble speech (kensongo)
When you talk about yourself or your group, kensongo lowers your own status. Instead of “shimasu” (do), you’d say “itasu.” It shows modesty and respect.
Polite speech (teinei)
This is your go-to for most traveler situations. Friendly shops, trains, even first encounters all welcome teinei. If in doubt, stick to “masu” and “desu.” It never feels overdone in casual public spaces.
For an in-depth look at broader customs, check out our japan cultural etiquette guide.
Practice basic greetings
Let’s walk through your greeting toolkit. These phrases will pop up at every turn, from convenience stores to parks.
Saying good morning
- Casual: “Ohayou” (おはよう) works with friends before noon.
- Polite: “Ohayou gozaimasu” (おはようございます) fits any situation.
Tip: If you’re not sure how well you know someone, go polite.
Greeting hello and afternoon
- Formal/daytime: “Konnichiwa” (こんにちは) literally means “good afternoon,” but you can use it all day long (Story Learning).
- Casual: Rarely shortened. Stick with “konnichiwa” if you want to sound natural.
Wishing good evening and night
- Evening: “Konbanwa” (こんばんは) greets people after sunset.
- Night/bedtime: “Oyasumi nasai” (おやすみなさい) bids good night.
- Casual night: “Oyasumi” works with close friends or family.
Meeting someone new
- First meeting: “Hajimemashite” (はじめまして) means “Nice to meet you.”
- Follow-up: “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (よろしくお願いします) roughly means “Please treat me well” or “I look forward to working with you” (MochiDemy).
Curious for more traveler-friendly lines? Peek at our japanese phrases for travelers.
Use honorific titles
Tacking the right suffix onto a name shows you get Japanese social nuances. Get these wrong, and you risk sounding rude or awkward.
Addressing with san
“San” (さん) is your safe bet. It’s gender-neutral, polite, and fits almost everyone you meet. Think “Tanaka-san” or “Yoko-san” (Rosetta Stone).
When to use sama
“Sama” (さま) ranks above “san.” It’s for customers, letters, or very formal correspondence. Avoid overusing it at a café or bar — it feels stiff outside business contexts (Rosetta Stone).
Using kun and chan
- Kun (君) suits young men, male subordinates, or between male friends.
- Chan (ちゃん) signals affection toward kids, close friends, or pets.
Never slip these into a first meeting. They’re too familiar.
Professional titles in work
In offices you’ll meet “bucho” (部長, department head), “kacho” (課長, section chief), or “shacho” (社長, company president). Use these in place of a name if you don’t know someone’s actual name.
Express thanks and apologies
Japan’s politeness shines in gratitude and contrition. You’ll use these phrases dozens of times a day.
Expressing gratitude variations
- Casual thanks: “Arigatou” (ありがとう).
- Polite thanks: “Arigatou gozaimasu” (ありがとうございます).
- Extra polite: “Doumo arigatou gozaimasu” (どうもありがとうございます) (busuu).
- Past gratitude: “Arigatou gozaimashita” (ありがとうございました) to thank someone for something finished.
Using apologies and excuse me
- “Sumimasen” (すみません) covers “excuse me,” “sorry,” or “thank you.” It’s magic in tight crowds.
- “Gomen nasai” (ごめんなさい) means “I’m sorry.” Use it for minor mistakes.
- “Otsukare sama desu” (おつかれさまです) means “You must be tired” or “Good work.” It doubles as a friendly office greeting (busuu).
Don’t forget some venues — like izakayas or taxis — may expect a small tip. Learn more about tipping norms in our tokyo tipping culture guide.
Show nonverbal politeness
Words carry half the weight. Your posture, gestures, and actions speak volumes.
Bowing etiquette basics
Bows range from a slight nod to a deep bend. A 15-degree bow suffices for casual thanks. A 30-degree bow suits a formal apology (Japan-Guide). Stand straight, hands at your sides, and look ahead.
Gift-giving gestures
Giving small souvenirs (“omiyage”) after a trip is common. Wrap items neatly and present them with both hands. For fuller guidance, see our japanese gift giving etiquette.
Handling objects with care
When passing business cards, trays, or even dishes, use both hands. It’s a sign of respect and conscientiousness. In Japan, you treat everyday objects with a gentle care that mirrors polite speech (Samurai Tours).
Avoid common mistakes
Even polite phrases can backfire if you mix levels or overdo it. Keep these slip-ups in mind.
Mixing formal and casual
Saying “Ohayou gozaimasu, genki?” mixes teinei and plain form. Pick one level and stick to it. Casual shifts feel jarring.
Overusing honorifics
Dropping “sama” on every name sounds unnatural. Use “san” and switch to “sama” only in formal correspondence.
Tipping faux pas
Tipping is rare outside taxis and certain tourist spots. In restaurants you might offend someone by trying to leave extra cash. Check out our tokyo tipping culture guide for more.
Review key takeaways
- Japanese politeness comes in three speech levels: plain, polite, and honorific.
- Core greetings include ohayou gozaimasu, konnichiwa, and konbanwa.
- Honorifics like san, sama, kun, and chan help you match social context.
- Thank-you and sorry phrases double as courtesy and apology.
- Bows, gift wrapping, and two-handed exchanges matter as much as words.
- Avoid mixing speech levels, overusing honorifics, and accidental tipping.
Try one new phrase today. Pick “sumimasen” and use it in a busy train station. Notice how locals respond with ease and smiles.
Frequently asked questions
-
What’s the safest honorific to use in Japan?
San (さん) works almost everywhere. It’s polite, neutral, and never too familiar. -
How deep should my bow be when I say thanks?
A light 15-degree bow feels natural for casual thanks. Save deeper bows for formal apologies. -
Can I skip keigo as a traveler?
Yes. Stick with teinei (masu/desu) and focus on correct honorifics instead of advanced forms. -
Is “sumimasen” better than “gomen nasai”?
Use sumimasen for “excuse me” or general apology. Reserve gomen nasai for personal mistakes. -
How do I show respect without speaking?
Offer a slight bow, hand over items with both hands, and keep your tone calm and friendly.
