🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Hello" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
こんにちは
"Hello" in Japanese · say it like konnichiwa

The most natural way to say "Hello" 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

やあ
A casual greeting among friends.
おはようございます
A formal greeting used in the morning.

When to use it

Use こんにちは during the day to greet someone. It is appropriate in both casual and formal settings. It is a versatile greeting that can be used with friends, family, or colleagues.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
こんにちは、元気ですか?Hello, how are you?
こんにちは、今日はいい天気ですね。Hello, the weather is nice today, isn't it?
Common mistake
Some learners confuse こんにちは with おはようございます, which is used only in the morning.

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

When should I use こんにちは?

You can use こんにちは from late morning until evening.

Learn Japanese by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.