こんにちは

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hello, good afternoon
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/konnichiwa/
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A daytime greeting meaning hello or good afternoon, used politely when meeting someone.
Practice using こんにちは in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • 友達にこんにちはと言った。
    I said hello to my friend.
  • 朝のミーティングでこんにちは。
    At the morning meeting, hello.
  • 駅でこんにちはと挨拶した。
    I greeted hello at the station.
  • 昼食後にこんにちはと声をかけた。
    After lunch I called out hello.
  • 新しい同僚にこんにちはを伝える。
    I convey hello to the new colleague.

Similar words

こんばんは
やあ
おはよう
やっほー
もしもし
ごきげんよう

Meanings

Greeting used during the daytime

interjection
everyday
neutral
A polite way to say hello or good afternoon when meeting someone in daylight.

Examples

  • 友達にこんにちはと言った。
    I said hello to my friend.
  • 朝のミーティングでこんにちは。
    At the morning meeting, hello.
  • 駅でこんにちはと挨拶した。
    I greeted hello at the station.
  • 昼食後にこんにちはと声をかけた。
    After lunch I called out hello.
  • 新しい同僚にこんにちはを伝える。
    I convey hello to the new colleague.

Similar words

やあ
もしもし
おはようこんばんは
ごきげんよう
やっほー

Etymology

Derived from the phrase 今日は (konnichi wa) meaning “as for today,” which was shortened to the greeting.

FAQ

What does こんにちは mean?

こんにちは means hello or good afternoon, used during the day.

When should I use こんにちは instead of こんばんは?

Use こんにちは before sunset; after dark, switch to こんばんは.

Is こんにちは formal or informal?

It is a neutral, polite greeting suitable for most situations.

Can こんにちは be used in written Japanese?

Yes, it appears in letters, emails, and messages as a standard greeting.

What is the origin of こんにちは?

It comes from the older phrase 今日は, meaning “as for today,” which was shortened to the greeting.

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