How to Say Good Morning in Japanese
Learn how to say good morning in Japanese. 'Ohayō' (おはよう) is casual; 'Ohayō gozaimasu' is polite. Pronunciation guide + when and how to use the morning greeting.
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Quick answer
To say good morning in Japanese, say 'Ohayō' (おはよう, oh-ha-yoh) casually, or 'Ohayō gozaimasu' (おはようございます) politely. The polite form is used with strangers, elders, coworkers, and in formal settings; the short form is for friends and family. After late morning, switch to 'Konnichiwa' (hello/good afternoon).
おはよう
/oh-ha-yoh/ — Japanese
How to Say Good Morning in Japanese
Starting the day with the right greeting matters in Japan, where politeness levels shape every interaction. Ohayō is your morning word — in casual and polite flavors.
The Phrase
おはよう — Ohayō — pronounced oh-ha-yoh
The final ō is a lengthened vowel (hold the “oh”). A handy memory trick: it sounds a bit like the US state “Ohio.”
Copy the Phrase
The Japanese word for “good morning” is おはよう (Ohayō, oh-ha-yoh) casually, or おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu) politely.
Casual vs. Polite
| Japanese | Romaji | Politeness |
|---|---|---|
| おはよう | Ohayō | Casual — friends, family |
| おはようございます | Ohayō gozaimasu | Polite — strangers, elders, work |
The gozaimasu ending adds respect. Use the full polite form as your default in any unfamiliar or formal setting.
When to Use It
Ohayō (gozaimasu) is for the morning, roughly until late morning (10–11am). After that, switch to こんにちは (Konnichiwa) for the afternoon.
Workplace quirk: In some industries (entertainment, hospitality, night shifts), Ohayō gozaimasu is used as a greeting whenever someone arrives for their shift — even in the evening — functioning as a “first greeting of the day” to colleagues.
What It Literally Means
Ohayō derives from the adjective 早い (hayai, “early”). It essentially acknowledges that someone is up early — a warm, polite recognition of the morning. The honorific o- prefix adds politeness.
The Full Day of Greetings
| Time | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | おはよう(ございます) | Ohayō (gozaimasu) |
| Afternoon | こんにちは | Konnichiwa |
| Evening | こんばんは | Konbanwa |
| Bedtime | おやすみ(なさい) | Oyasumi (nasai) |
Casual Variations
| Japanese | Romaji | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| おはよう | Ohayō | Standard casual |
| おっす | Ossu | Very casual “mornin’” (youthful) |
| おはよ〜 | Ohayo~ | Relaxed, drawn-out (friendly) |
Pronunciation Recap
o-ha-yō — three light, even syllables with a stretched final “oh.” For the polite form, add go-zai-mas (the final ‘u’ in masu is nearly silent).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Ohayō?
'Ohayō' is pronounced oh-ha-yoh (おはよう). Three parts: o-ha-yō, with a lengthened final 'o' (the macron ō means you hold the vowel). It sounds coincidentally similar to the US state 'Ohio,' which is a common memory trick — though the Japanese has that stretched final 'oh.' Keep the syllables even and light.
What is the difference between Ohayō and Ohayō gozaimasu?
Politeness. 'Ohayō' (おはよう) is casual — for friends, family, and peers. 'Ohayō gozaimasu' (おはようございます) is polite/formal — for strangers, elders, bosses, coworkers, and service situations. The 'gozaimasu' ending adds respect. When in doubt, use the full 'Ohayō gozaimasu' — it's always safe and appropriately polite.
Until what time can you say Ohayō?
'Ohayō (gozaimasu)' is used in the morning, roughly until late morning (around 10-11am). After that, switch to 'Konnichiwa' (こんにちは) for the afternoon. Interestingly, in some workplaces and industries (like entertainment, hospitality, or night shifts), 'Ohayō gozaimasu' is used as a greeting whenever someone arrives for their shift — even in the evening — as a 'first greeting of the day' to a colleague.
What does Ohayō literally mean?
'Ohayō' comes from the adjective 'hayai' (早い), meaning 'early.' The greeting essentially conveys 'it's early' or acknowledges that someone is up and about early — a polite recognition of the morning. The 'o-' prefix adds politeness. So it's a warm, respectful way of noting the early hour together.
How do you say good morning to friends casually in Japanese?
Among close friends, 'Ohayō' (おはよう) is already casual. Even shorter and more casual: 'Ossu' (おっす — a very casual 'mornin'/hey,' more youthful/masculine) or just 'Ohayō~' with a relaxed, drawn-out tone. Young people sometimes shorten it playfully. But 'Ohayō' itself is the natural casual choice with friends.