This article is
People who want to know basic Japanese greetings
People who want to know when to use that greeting
That’s what this article is about.
Continued from the previous issue, I will define this part’s greeting 1.
In this article, I will write about the most basic greeting, konnichiha.
Index
Hello / Good Afternoon- こんにちは”Konnichiha”
When to use: Around noon, when greeting someone.
Question and Answer
Q: Which is the Correct Expression? こんにちは”Konnichiha” / こんにちわ”Konnichiwa”
A: こんにちは is the correct expression.
Because it is an abbreviation of this word.
“Today is a good day, isn’t it?. 今日はいい日ですね’Kyou ha ii hi desune'”
今日は”Kyou ha” can also read こんにちは.
So the correct expression is “こんにちは’Konnichiha'”
Foreigners’ Reactions Based on Actual Experience
I think you can learn more about Japanese greetings from what I experienced before and from the experiences I heard from friends.
“Why Does Nobody Say ‘Konnichiha’ in the Morning?”
My friend Sophie from Germany was practicing her Japanese greetings.
She said to an elderly neighbor at 9:00 AM.
Konnichiha!
The neighbor smiled, but gently said,
It’s still “Ohayou” time!
Later, Sophie asked me,
Isn’t “konnichiha” supposed to mean “hello”? Why was I corrected?
I explained,
“Technically, yes. But in Japan, ‘Konnichiha’ is more like ‘Good afternoon.’ Until around 10 or 11 AM, we still use ‘Ohayou’.”
She was surprised and said,
Ah, so Japanese greetings are really time-sensitive!
This real-life experience will help you understand how strict the timing of greetings in Japanese is.
Conclusion
Today’s topic is the most basic conversation, konnichiha.
I think I have learned how demanding the timing of greetings in Japanese can be.
In this case, the most basic greetings, such as “Konnichiha” were explained.
Next, I will introduce the evening to night greeting, konbanha!
Please look forward to it.
Links to each part are provided.
Cultural Differences, Good morning, Good evening, Good night
P.S.
Konnichiha, is a word often used on the same level as ohayou.
However, I don’t think there are many Japanese who say “konnichiha” to their families.
Even if they wake up late, they say “Ohayou”.
Also, I think it is a little bit strangerly to say “konnichiha” or “Konbanha” to family members.
Japanese people somehow know the time to use it with a sense, but writing it in sentences shows how detailed it is.
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またね(Matane)!
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