Use こんばんは when greeting someone after dark; it works in both formal and casual contexts, but choose more formal phrasing for business settings.
Use こんばんは when greeting someone after dark; it works in both formal and casual contexts, but choose more formal phrasing for business settings.
Using こんばんは before evening, such as in the morning, is incorrect.
From the phrase 今晩は, where 今晩 means ‘this evening’ and the particle は is pronounced wa.
What does こんばんは mean?
こんばんは means “good evening”, a polite greeting used after sunset.
When should I use こんばんは?
Use こんばんは when meeting someone in the early evening, typically from around 5 p.m. onward.
Is こんばんは formal or informal?
こんばんは is neutral; it fits both formal and casual situations, though more formal contexts may prefer a slightly more polite tone.
Can こんばんは be written as こんばんわ?
Yes, こんばんわ is an older variant spelling, but the standard modern form is こんばんは.
What is the difference between こんばんは and おやすみなさい?
こんばんは is said when you first see someone in the evening, while おやすみなさい is used when parting for the night.
How is こんばんは pronounced?
こんばんは is pronounced /koɴbaɰa/, with the final wa sounding like a w‑sound.