Introduction to Japanese Greetings

Welcome to the first lesson in Japanese greetings! Understanding and properly using
greetings are fundamental aspects of the Japanese language and culture. This lesson will
guide you through various greetings based on the time of day and specific situations.

1. Greetings Based on Time of Day

 Morning Greetings (朝のあいさつ - あさのあいさつ)

 おはようございます (Ohayoo gozaimasu) - Good morning (formal).
 おはよう (Ohayoo) - Good morning (informal).
 Afternoon Greetings (昼のあいさつ - ひるのあいさつ)
 こんにちは (Konnichiwa) - Good afternoon / Hello.
 Evening Greetings (夜のあいさつ - よるのあいさつ)
 こんばんは (Konbanwa) - Good evening.

2. Saying Goodbye (人と別れるときのあいさつ - ひととわかれるときのあいさつ)

 じゃあ、また (Jaa mata) - See you (informal).

 失礼します (Shitsureeshimasu) - Excuse me; used when leaving.
 お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsureeshimasu) - Excuse me for leaving before
you (formal).
 お疲れさまでした (Otsukaresama deshita) - Thank you for your hard work; used
when leaving work.
 おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) - Good night.

3. Expressing Gratitude and Apologies

 ありがとう (Arigatou) - Thank you (informal).

 ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) - Thank you (formal).
 すみません (Sumimasen) - Excuse me / I'm sorry; can also express gratitude in
certain contexts.
 ごめん (Gomen) - I'm sorry (informal).

4. Greeting Gestures

In Japan, gestures are an essential part of greetings:

 Bowing (おじぎ - おじぎ) is the traditional form of greeting, with the depth of
the bow indicating the level of respect.
  Nodding slightly is common among friends.
 Hugging or kissing is not a common greeting practice in Japan.
 Handshakes may occur in business contexts but are not widespread.
 Palms together in front of the chest is a gesture made before meals, not a
greeting.

5. Using “すみません” (Sumimasen)

 すみません (Sumimasen) serves both as an apology and a form of expressing

gratitude, particularly when someone has gone out of their way to help you. It
can be used interchangeably with ありがとう (Arigatou), though すみません
also conveys a sense of inconvenience caused to the other party.

These notes cover the basic greetings in Japanese, their appropriate usage based on the
time of day, and cultural nuances associated with gestures and expressions of gratitude
or apology. Familiarizing yourself with these expressions will enhance your
conversational skills and understanding of Japanese etiquette.