Translation guide
The standard Japanese greeting for 'good morning' is おはようございます (polite) or おはよう (casual). It is used from waking until roughly late morning, but can also be used as a first greeting of the day in workplaces regardless of time.
Greet someone in the morning in a polite or casual way.
Polite form. Safe for most situations, especially with people you don't know well, superiors, or in business settings.
先生、おはようございます。
Good morning, teacher.
おはようございます。今日はいい天気ですね。
Good morning. Nice weather today, isn't it?
Casual form. Used with friends, family, or close colleagues. Not appropriate for formal situations.
おはよう、元気？
Morning, how are you?
Greet colleagues when you first see them at work, even if it's afternoon or evening.
In many Japanese workplaces, おはようございます is used as the first greeting of the day regardless of the actual time. It acknowledges the start of the workday together.
（午後2時に出社して）おはようございます。
(Arriving at work at 2 PM) Good morning.
Reply to someone who has greeted you with おはようございます or おはよう.
Simply say おはようございます or おはよう back, matching the level of politeness.
A: おはよう。 B: おはよう。
A: Morning. B: Morning.
おはよう (good morning) is used from waking until around 10-11 AM, or as a first greeting at work. こんにちは (hello/good afternoon) is used during the day, but not with close friends. こんばんは (good evening) is used after dark. Unlike English, these are not strictly tied to clock time and have social nuances.
朝は「おはよう」、昼は「こんにちは」、夜は「こんばんは」と言います。
In the morning we say 'ohayou', in the daytime 'konnichiwa', and at night 'konbanwa'.
A slight bow often accompanies the greeting, especially in formal settings. The depth of the bow depends on the relationship and situation.