Translation guide
A casual, contracted form of 'good morning' used in informal spoken English. In Japanese, morning greetings are expressed through set phrases that vary by formality and relationship.
Greeting someone in the morning in a casual, friendly way, similar to 'g'morning'.
The standard casual morning greeting. Used among friends, family, and close acquaintances. Equivalent to 'morning!' or 'g'morning'.
おはよう、元気？
Morning! How are you?
おはよう、今日もいい天気だね。
G'morning, nice weather again today.
A more drawn-out, playful or extra casual version of おはよう. Often used in text messages or very relaxed speech.
おはよー！まだ眠いよ。
G'morning! I'm still sleepy.
A clipped, very casual form, sometimes used in manga or among very close friends. Gives a brisk, energetic feel.
おはよっ！急がないと遅刻だよ。
G'morning! We gotta hurry or we'll be late.
Greeting someone in the morning with a touch more politeness than bare casual, but still informal. Suitable for acquaintances or in semi-casual settings.
The polite morning greeting. Used with strangers, superiors, or in any situation requiring basic politeness. While 'g'morning' is very casual, this is the safe default for learners.
おはようございます。今日もよろしくお願いします。
Good morning. I look forward to working with you today.
おはよう is casual, used with friends and family. おはようございます is polite, used with strangers, superiors, and in formal settings. Using おはよう with a boss or teacher can be rude. When in doubt, use the polite form.
先生、おはようございます。
Good morning, teacher.
おはよう、太郎。
Morning, Taro.
おはよう and its variants are only used in the morning. Unlike English 'good morning' which can be used sarcastically at any time, Japanese strictly limits these greetings to the morning hours (roughly until 10-11 AM).