🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Good afternoon" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
こんにちは
"Good afternoon" in Japanese · say it like kon-ni-chi-wa

The most natural way to say "Good afternoon" in Japanese is こんにちは. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

ごきげんよう
More formal, used in specific contexts or by older generations

When to use it

Use this greeting in the afternoon when meeting someone. It is appropriate in both casual and formal settings. It can be used with friends, family, or colleagues. It is a friendly way to acknowledge someone during the day.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Good afternoon" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
こんにちは、今日はいい天気ですね。Good afternoon, the weather is nice today.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 'おはようございます' (good morning) and use it too early in the day.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear こんにちは, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'こんにちは' used only in the afternoon?

Yes, it is primarily used during the afternoon, but it can also be used until early evening.

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