こんにちは
Hello/Good afternoon
Literalmente: As for today...
Use it as your default daytime greeting for anyone who isn't a close family member.
En 15 segundos
- The standard daytime 'Hello' used from 11 AM until sunset.
- Safe for strangers, coworkers, and people you meet in public.
- Written with 'ha' but pronounced 'wa' due to ancient grammar rules.
Significado
The ultimate 'all-purpose' greeting used during the day. It is your safe, go-to way to say hello to almost anyone from late morning until the sun goes down.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Entering a local bakery
こんにちは！このパンを二つください。
Hello! Two of these breads, please.
Passing a neighbor in the hallway
あ、田中さん、こんにちは。
Oh, Mr. Tanaka, hello.
Starting a business meeting at 2 PM
皆様、こんにちは。本日はありがとうございます。
Hello everyone. Thank you for today.
Contexto cultural
The phrase originated as the beginning of a longer sentence, 'Konnichi wa gokigen ikaga desu ka?' (How are you feeling today?). Over time, it was shortened to just the topic marker, reflecting the Japanese linguistic tendency toward brevity and context. It remains the standard neutral greeting across all regions of Japan.
The 10 AM Rule
If you aren't sure if it's too early for 'Konnichiwa', look at the sun. If it's high, you're good. Most people switch from 'Ohayou' at 10 or 11 AM.
The Spelling Trap
Never write it as こんにちわ. Even though it sounds like 'wa', using the 'wa' character instead of 'ha' is considered a bit childish or uneducated.
En 15 segundos
- The standard daytime 'Hello' used from 11 AM until sunset.
- Safe for strangers, coworkers, and people you meet in public.
- Written with 'ha' but pronounced 'wa' due to ancient grammar rules.
What It Means
Think of こんにちは as your social Swiss Army knife. It is the most famous Japanese word for a reason. It literally translates to 'As for today,' which sounds like a cliffhanger. In reality, it is the perfect 'Hello' for almost any daytime situation. It is warm, polite, and incredibly reliable. If you only learn one greeting, make it this one. It bridges the gap between formal and casual perfectly.
How To Use It
Using it is simple but feels like a dance. You say こんにちは while giving a small, respectful nod. You do not need a full 90-degree bow here. Just a slight tilt of the head will do. Keep your voice clear and friendly. If you are entering a shop, say it toward the staff. If you are meeting a friend's parent, say it with a smile. It is the 'Goldilocks' of greetings—not too stiff, not too loose.
When To Use It
Timing is everything in Japan. Start using こんにちは around 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM. Use it all through the afternoon while the sun is up. It works at the grocery store or the library. It is perfect when passing a neighbor on the street. Use it when joining a Zoom call with Japanese colleagues. It even works when you are texting a group of classmates for the first time.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it first thing in the morning. That is for おはよう. Also, put it away once the sun sets. At that point, switch to こんばんは. Curiously, you rarely say it to your own family at home. Saying it to your mom in the kitchen might make her think you are joking. It is also a bit too 'distant' for your absolute best friends. With them, a simple 'Yo!' or 'Osu!' is more common.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a secret history. Long ago, people said full sentences like 'As for today, how are you feeling?' Over centuries, the 'how are you feeling' part just fell off. We were left with the topic marker は. This is why we write it with the character for 'ha' but pronounce it 'wa.' It is a linguistic fossil of a much longer, very polite conversation. It shows how Japanese culture values the start of a connection.
Common Variations
In very casual settings, you might hear こんちは. It is just a faster, lazier version. Young men sometimes grunt ちわーす which is a super-compressed slang version. In very formal business settings, you might stick to the standard version but add a deeper bow. If you are writing it, always use Hiragana. Using Kanji for this phrase is very rare and looks like you are writing a historical novel.
Notas de uso
It is a neutral-polite greeting. While safe for most situations, avoid using it with very close family members or in the very early morning/late night.
The 10 AM Rule
If you aren't sure if it's too early for 'Konnichiwa', look at the sun. If it's high, you're good. Most people switch from 'Ohayou' at 10 or 11 AM.
The Spelling Trap
Never write it as こんにちわ. Even though it sounds like 'wa', using the 'wa' character instead of 'ha' is considered a bit childish or uneducated.
The Silent Response
In busy cities like Tokyo, if you say 'Konnichiwa' to a stranger on the street, they might just nod. Don't be offended; the nod is their way of saying it back!
Ejemplos
6こんにちは！このパンを二つください。
Hello! Two of these breads, please.
A polite way to acknowledge staff before ordering.
あ、田中さん、こんにちは。
Oh, Mr. Tanaka, hello.
Perfect for brief social acknowledgments in daily life.
皆様、こんにちは。本日はありがとうございます。
Hello everyone. Thank you for today.
Standard professional opening for afternoon meetings.
こんにちは！明日の宿題は何ですか？
Hello! What is tomorrow's homework?
Safe and polite for someone you don't know well yet.
あ、すみません、こんにちは...ってマネキンか！
Oh, sorry, hello... wait, it's a mannequin!
A classic 'oops' moment showing the habit of greeting.
先生、こんにちは。お久しぶりです。
Teacher, hello. It has been a long time.
Shows respect while maintaining a warm connection.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct greeting for 2:00 PM.
___、お元気ですか？
Since it is 2:00 PM (afternoon), 'Konnichiwa' is the appropriate choice.
How do you correctly write the end of the phrase in Hiragana?
こんにち___
Even though it is pronounced 'wa', it is grammatically a topic marker and must be written as 'ha' (は).
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Ayudas visuales
Daytime Formality Spectrum
Used with close friends or younger people.
Chii-ssu / Yo!
The 'Safe Zone' for most interactions.
Konnichiwa
Business settings or high-respect situations.
Konnichiwa (with deep bow)
Where to say Konnichiwa
At the Post Office
Greeting the clerk
On the Street
Passing a coworker
In a Café
Ordering coffee
Online Chat
First message of the day
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt means both! While it is used during the afternoon, its function is the standard 'Hello' for that time of day.
Yes, it is perfectly polite for a boss. Just make sure to accompany it with a respectful bow.
Historically, it was the start of a sentence like 今日は... (As for today...). The は is the grammar particle for the topic.
Absolutely. It is very polite to greet staff with こんにちは when you enter a restaurant.
No, that would be strange. Use こんばんは (Konbanwa) once it gets dark outside.
Friends usually use ちわー (Chiwa) or just a wave. こんにちは can feel a bit stiff between best friends.
No, こんにちは is only for arriving. Use さようなら or ではまた when leaving.
Usually, people use もしもし (Moshimoshi) on the phone instead of こんにちは.
People will understand you, but they might chuckle and reply with おはよう (Ohayou) to gently correct you.
Yes, it is standard Japanese. While some regions have local dialects, everyone uses and understands こんにちは.
Frases relacionadas
おはよう (Good morning)
こんばんは (Good evening)
お疲れ様です (Good work / Hello for colleagues)
もしもし (Hello on the phone)
おっす (Very casual 'Yo')
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