How to greet somebody in Japanese

There are a few different way that you would greet someone in Japanese. The greeting that you would use would be dependent upon the type of meeting. The Japanese culture is built upon honor and respect and as a result there are different greetings that you would use when you meet someone that you know, someone that you have met before, someone that deserves respect and someone of high stature.

How to Greet Somebody in Japanese

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How to greet somebody in Japanese

source: www.youtube.com

This video with Akari and Tyler where they discuss how to greet somebody in Japanese. There are different greetings for when you are meeting someone for the very first time, for greeting someone that you have met before and for greeting a person of high stature. She also teaches what to say in response to a greeting.

Step 1: Japanese etiquette for greeting

In Japan a typical Japanese greeting includes bowing to each other. A bow can include a simple nod of the head to a 90 degree bow from the waist. This latter is usually reserved for persons of stature. The head nod is informal. Also shaking of hands is not a common gesture in Japan. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2000.html

The word douzoyoroshiku (dozo-yo-ro-shikoo) means pleased to meet you which is the normal response to a greeting in Japanese.

Step 2: Greeting someone that you have met before

When greeting a person that you have met before or greeting someone that is of equal stature to yourself there are a few phrases that could be used. The one you choose to use would depend upon your comfort level with that person.

You would say hisashiburi desu when you are meeting someone that you already know. This phrase means nice to see you again. This is not a phrase that you will use often as it can also mean long time no see and is generally used when you haven’t seen the person for quite awhile.

The phrase mata oai shimashitane means I see you again or we meet again, don’t we? and can be used for meeting with someone whom you have met before.

Strictly translated the phrase gobusata shite orimasu means long time no see.

Step 3: Meeting someone informally for the first time

The word ;;;hajimemashite (pronounced as hah-jee-meh-MOSH-teh) would be when you want to say nice to meet you.

Another word that says nice to see you is youkoso (pronounced yo-ko-so).

Step 4: The formal greetings

Formal greetings are reserved for people of high standing and people of stature. There are specific words and phrases that are to be used in these situations.

Mata oai dekite ureshii desu is the lesser of the formal greeting and it means I am pleased to see you again or nice to see you again.

The phrase mata oai dekite kouei desu is much more formal and translates to it is a great honor for me to see you again. This phrase would be reserved for meeting someone of high stature or someone of honor.

You could also say hajime mashite which means how do you do?

O hisashiburi desu means nice to see you again or long time no see but in a more formal manner. By putting an o in front of some of the informal greetings, it can be made into a formal greeting.

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