![]() ![]() However, what it actually means is “good afternoon” Usually, it can be used as the Japanese word for saying “hi” or “hello”. Konnichiwa (こんにちは) is one of the first Japanese greetings you will learn. You may have already heard of this before you started learning Japanese. Good afternoon, Konnichiwa What does こんにちは (Konnichiwa) mean? The reason? It’s because, instead of the exclusively “good morning”, you use おはようございます to greet someone new for the first time that day. The first thing you need to say as a greeting when you clock into your shift is おはようございます, even if you are doing a late-night shift. You will notice this in a lot of work environments, like your part-time job. The unique thing about おはようございます is that it can be used at any hour of the day. Bowing is not only a habit but also a way to be respectful at all times and to give a good impression to people around. Their opinion of the entire company will take a hit!Īnother point you might have noticed or heard is that Japanese people bow even when they are on the phone and their interlocutors cannot see them. Outside your workplace, if you miss the chance to say ohayou gozaimasu to clients or people who know your company, here’s the Japanese thinking: “the employee of this company did not greet us decently”. In Japan, especially in the working environment, the importance of greetings is serious. A Japanese Greeting for a Working Environment Did you watch the football last night? It was really great. Kinou no sakkaa- mimashita? Sugokatta desune. Those small talks are very useful to create a nice atmosphere between people and more than the topic, the conversation itself is the key to getting along with others. Japanese also like to speak about sports, news and cultural events. The easiest common topic is the weather of the day and the season in general. Ohayou gozaimasu is not only a way to say good morning, but also to create a certain intimacy and the art of starting a conversation. Other Uses of this Japanese Greeting Besides the Morning Actually, even if you were to meet someone who never cares to answer back, you should care to say hello anyway. ![]() You should care to say ohayou gozaimasu regardless of the person’s rank: whether you encounter your chief or the new intern. ![]() But if you were to be the first, you should greet the person as soon as you notice her presence. Of course, you might not always be the first to notice a colleague or someone you know in the hallways or the elevators. In Japanese, we have a phrase that encourages initiative. The impression you give is largely determined by the morning greetings. Of course, knowing how to say good morning is of great importance if you are working with Japanese. Whether you are coming for a short trip or for a few years, learning how to greet people with confidence in Japanese is the key to leaving good impressions. Having a good command of Japanese greetings is the first step toward building smooth relationships in Japan. ![]()
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