How to Say ‘Hello.’ in Japanese
こんにちは。
konnichiwa
[kohn-nee-chee-wah]
💬 Usage Tip: [こんにちは] is a standard daytime greeting. It works like “hello” and is polite in most everyday situations.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, a small nod or bow often goes with [こんにちは]. The tone is usually calm and friendly rather than super energetic.
Phrase Breakdown
こんにちは
konnichiwa
[kohn-nee-chee-wah]
hello; good afternoon
A common greeting used during the daytime. It is polite and works in many everyday situations.
先生にこんにちはと言いました。
I said hello to the teacher.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager