Dictionary / Japanese / Good morning
How to Say "Good morning" in Japanese
おはようございます
ohayō gozaimasu
Literally: It is early
おはよう
(it is) early
ございます
(polite ending)
Polite or casual
Politeおはようございます
Casualおはよう
Say おはよう to friends and family and おはようございます to everyone else. In some workplaces, such as restaurants and TV studios, it is the first greeting of a shift at any time of day.
Correct
おはようございます
What people say wrong
こんにちは
Hello. Sounds odd as the first greeting of the morning.
The mistake to avoid. English speakers often say こんにちは at any time because it is the first greeting they learn. Until late morning, Japanese people say おはようございます instead. It comes from 早い (hayai), early.
In context
おはよう、よく寝た？
Ohayō, yoku neta?
Morning, did you sleep well?
先生、おはようございます。
Sensei, ohayō gozaimasu.
Good morning, Sensei.
みなさん、おはようございます。
Minasan, ohayō gozaimasu.
Good morning, everyone.