In 15 Seconds
- Standard polite morning greeting used until mid-morning.
- Literally means 'it is early' in a respectful way.
- Essential for work, school, and greeting strangers politely.
Meaning
This is the standard, polite way to say 'Good morning' in Japanese. It is like saying 'It is early' with a very respectful tone.
Key Examples
3 of 6Arriving at the office
田中さん、おはようございます。
Good morning, Mr. Tanaka.
Greeting a neighbor
おはようございます！いい天気ですね。
Good morning! It is nice weather, isn't it?
Entering a classroom
先生、おはようございます。
Good morning, Teacher.
Cultural Background
In many Japanese companies, the morning greeting is a ritual. Some companies have 'Chourei' (morning assembly) where everyone says 'Ohayou gozaimasu' in unison to build team spirit. Students are expected to greet their teachers loudly and clearly. It is part of 'Shitsuke' (discipline/upbringing). People in Kansai are known for being more outgoing. You might hear 'Ohayou-san' which feels more like 'Morning, dear' than a stiff formal greeting. The 'Industry Ohayou' is a famous linguistic quirk. It doesn't matter if it's midnight; if it's the first time you see your crew, you say 'Ohayou gozaimasu'.
The 11 AM Rule
If you are unsure whether to say Ohayou or Konnichiwa, 11 AM is the generally accepted cutoff point.
Bowing
A small nod or a 15-degree bow while saying this makes you look much more natural and respectful.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard polite morning greeting used until mid-morning.
- Literally means 'it is early' in a respectful way.
- Essential for work, school, and greeting strangers politely.
What It Means
おはようございます is your go-to morning greeting. It literally translates to "it is early." By adding ございます, you make it polite. It shows respect for the person you are greeting. It is the verbal equivalent of a friendly, professional handshake.
How To Use It
Say it clearly when you enter a room. A small nod of the head adds a nice touch. You can use it with teachers, bosses, or strangers. If you are in a shop, the staff might say it first. Just repeat it back to them. It is a great way to start your day on a positive note.
When To Use It
Use it from sunrise until about 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. It is the perfect icebreaker for your morning commute. Use it when you walk into the office. Use it when you see your neighbor walking their dog. Interestingly, people in the entertainment industry use it all day long. For them, it means "this is our first meeting today."
When NOT To Use It
Do not use the full version with your toddler or cat. That would be a bit too stiff! For close friends, just stick to the shorter おはよう. Also, avoid using it after noon. If the sun is high, switch to こんにちは. Using it at 3:00 PM might get you some confused looks. Unless, of course, you just woke up from a very long nap.
Cultural Background
The phrase has roots in the world of traditional Kabuki theater. Back then, performers arrived early to prepare. People would acknowledge their early arrival with this phrase. It was a way to recognize someone's hard work and dedication. Today, it remains a pillar of Japanese social harmony. It sets a respectful tone for the entire day ahead.
Common Variations
The most common variation is the casual おはよう. Young people sometimes shorten it even further to おは. In very masculine or sporty circles, you might hear おす. However, おはようございます remains the safest bet for any situation. When in doubt, go for the polite version. You can never be too polite in Japan!
Usage Notes
This is a formal/polite expression. Use the full version `おはようございます` in any situation where you want to show respect, especially at work or with elders.
The 11 AM Rule
If you are unsure whether to say Ohayou or Konnichiwa, 11 AM is the generally accepted cutoff point.
Bowing
A small nod or a 15-degree bow while saying this makes you look much more natural and respectful.
Don't be too polite with friends
Using 'gozaimasu' with your best friend can make you sound like you're being sarcastic or distant.
Industry Usage
If you work in a restaurant or theater, don't be surprised if people say this to you at 6 PM!
Examples
6田中さん、おはようございます。
Good morning, Mr. Tanaka.
A standard way to greet a colleague or superior.
おはようございます！いい天気ですね。
Good morning! It is nice weather, isn't it?
Great for small talk with people in your community.
先生、おはようございます。
Good morning, Teacher.
Students always use the polite form with teachers.
皆様、おはようございます。今日もよろしくお願いします。
Good morning everyone. Looking forward to working with you today.
Sets a positive and professional tone for the work day.
おはようございます！もう１０時ですよ！
Good morning (polite)! It is already 10 o'clock!
Using the polite form here adds a sarcastic, mock-formal edge.
おはようございます。お元気でしたか？
Good morning. Have you been doing well?
Combines a morning greeting with a warm inquiry about health.
Test Yourself
You meet your boss at 8:30 AM in the office. What do you say?
Boss: 「おはよう。」 You: 「_______」
You must use the polite 'gozaimasu' form with a superior.
Complete the formal morning greeting.
おは____ございます。
The correct spelling is 'よう' (you).
Match the greeting to the person.
1. Younger brother, 2. School Principal, 3. Best friend
Formal for the principal, casual for family/friends.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue between neighbors.
A: おはようございます。いいお天気ですね。 B: おはようございます。_______。
'Sou desu ne' (It is, isn't it) is a natural response to a comment about the weather.
Which industry is famous for using 'Ohayou gozaimasu' even at night?
Industry type:
The entertainment industry uses it as a 'first meeting of the day' greeting.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels of Ohayou
Practice Bank
5 exercisesBoss: 「おはよう。」 You: 「_______」
You must use the polite 'gozaimasu' form with a superior.
おは____ございます。
The correct spelling is 'よう' (you).
1. Younger brother, 2. School Principal, 3. Best friend
Formal for the principal, casual for family/friends.
A: おはようございます。いいお天気ですね。 B: おはようございます。_______。
'Sou desu ne' (It is, isn't it) is a natural response to a comment about the weather.
Industry type:
The entertainment industry uses it as a 'first meeting of the day' greeting.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsUsually, just 'Ohayou' is enough. Using the full version might make them think you want something or are being unusually formal.
In normal life, 11:00 AM. In the entertainment industry, any time you first meet someone.
Just repeat it back! 'Ohayou gozaimasu' is the standard response to 'Ohayou gozaimasu'.
Yes, it's very polite, though many people just use a small bow or 'Konnichiwa' if it's later.
'Ossu' is a very masculine, rough contraction used mainly by young men or in sports clubs. Avoid it in business.
A full bow isn't always necessary, but a slight tilt of the head is expected in formal situations.
Usually it's written in Hiragana. The Kanji {お早う|おはよ} exists but is less common in modern daily writing.
No, that's grammatically incorrect. It's either 'Ohayou' or 'Ohayou gozaimasu'.
Use 'Konnichiwa'. The 'first meeting' rule for Ohayou is mostly for specific industries, not general office work.
The 'o' is long, so it's 'Ohayou' (おはよう).
No, it specifically refers to 'earliness'. 'Konnichiwa' is closer to 'Good day'.
Yes, but usually only if the email is sent in the morning. Otherwise, 'Osewa ni natte orimasu' is more common.
Related Phrases
こんにちは
similarGood afternoon / Hello
こんばんは
similarGood evening
おやすみなさい
contrastGood night
お疲れ様です
builds onThank you for your hard work
行ってきます
specialized formI'm going
