24 Japanese Phrases to Say Good Morning | Easy & Useful Greetings

Waking up and greeting someone in Japanese can be a lovely way to start the day. Whether you’re chatting with friends, family, or coworkers, knowing how to say “Good morning” in different ways adds warmth and connection.

Japanese offers a variety of morning greetings, from casual to polite, and even some expressions that feel super natural and native-like. These phrases can brighten your mornings and help you sound more fluent.

Learning these greetings not only helps with conversation but also gives insight into Japanese culture and social nuances. Greetings are often the first step to making a good impression.

By practicing these morning phrases, you can build confidence in your speaking skills and enjoy more meaningful interactions with Japanese speakers. It’s a simple habit that pays off big time.

Plus, once you master these greetings, you’ll find it easier to remember other everyday expressions. Building your vocabulary with greetings is a perfect foundation.

Ready to wake up your Japanese skills? Let’s dive into 24 easy and useful ways to say good morning!

Start Your Day Right: Why Morning Greetings Matter

Morning greetings set the tone for the day.

Using the right phrase can show respect, friendliness, or casual warmth, depending on who you’re talking to. This little cultural insight goes a long way in Japan.

Even learning a few simple greetings can make mornings more enjoyable.

Sometimes, using a great beginner phrasebook can give you a perfect starting point for a cohesive understanding.

Knowing when and how to use these greetings will help you feel more natural and confident.

It’s a simple trick that you can start applying right away with anyone you meet in the morning.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. おはよう (Ohayou) – oh-ha-yo-u (oh-ha-yoh)

This is the most common casual way to say “Good morning.”

It literally means “early” or “early good,” and it’s used among friends, family, or people of the same age or status. It’s simple and perfect for everyday use.

Using “Ohayou” is great for starting conversations with close people.

It’s short, sweet, and always appreciated.

You might also hear “Ohayou gozaimasu” in more formal situations.

Get comfortable with this phrase first—it’s your morning staple!

2. おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – oh-ha-yo-u go-za-i-mas (oh-ha-yoh go-za-ee-mas)

This is the polite and formal version of “Good morning.”

It adds “gozaimasu,” which is a polite suffix, to show respect. Use it with teachers, bosses, or strangers.

It’s easy to remember because you just tack on “gozaimasu” to the casual form.

Don’t forget the polite tone; sounding too casual here might feel rude.

Example: Greeting your teacher when arriving at class.

It’s a must-know for professional or formal settings.

3. 朝だね (Asa da ne) – a-sa da ne (ah-sah dah neh)

This phrase means “It’s morning, isn’t it?”

It’s casual and conversational, perfect for chatting with friends as you start the day.

It’s a relaxed way to acknowledge the morning together.

Great for informal situations or when you want to sound natural.

You could follow it with “Ready for today?” to keep the conversation going.

Use it to bond casually over the start of the day.

4. いい朝だね (Ii asa da ne) – ee a-sa da ne (ee ah-sah dah neh)

This means “It’s a nice morning, isn’t it?”

It’s warm and positive, great for sharing good vibes first thing in the morning.

It’s easy to say and makes your greeting feel thoughtful.

Watch out not to overuse it in very formal settings.

Use it with close friends or family to brighten their day.

It’s a sweet way to start a conversation with a smile.

5. 今日も頑張ろう！ (Kyou mo ganbarou!) – kyo-u mo gan-ba-ro-u (kyoh moh gahn-bah-roh)

Meaning “Let’s do our best today too!” this is a motivating morning phrase.

It’s casual but encouraging, often used among colleagues or friends.

It’s a great way to show you’re ready and supportive for the day ahead.

Perfect for work or school mornings.

You can say this after “Ohayou” to add energy.

Use it to boost morale and connect positively.

6. 朝ごはん食べた？ (Asa gohan tabeta?) – a-sa go-han ta-be-ta (ah-sah goh-hahn tah-beh-tah)

This phrase means “Did you eat breakfast?”

It’s casual and shows care, often used between friends or family.

It’s a natural way to start a morning chat.

Don’t use it formally, as it’s quite personal.

It’s great for building closeness and showing concern.

Try it to make your greetings feel more heartfelt.

7. 早いね！ (Hayai ne!) – ha-ya-i ne (ha-yah-ee neh)

This means “You’re early!”

It’s informal and often used when greeting someone who arrived early.

It’s a fun, lighthearted way to acknowledge timing.

Be sure to use it only with people you know well.

It’s commonly said between coworkers or classmates.

Use it to add some humor to your morning greetings.

8. 眠い？ (Nemui?) – ne-mu-i (neh-moo-ee)

This means “Are you sleepy?”

It’s casual and caring, often asked in the morning among friends or family.

It’s a soft way to check in on someone’s energy level.

Avoid using it with strangers or in formal settings.

You can pair it with “Ohayou” for a friendly start.

It helps show empathy and warmth in your greeting.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. おはようございます、今日もよろしくお願いします (Ohayou gozaimasu, kyou mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – oh-ha-yo-u go-za-i-mas, kyo-u mo yo-ro-shi-ku o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su

This is a formal greeting meaning “Good morning, I look forward to working with you today.”

It’s perfect for professional environments, showing respect and teamwork spirit.

Using this phrase helps build rapport with coworkers or clients.

Don’t shorten it in formal settings to avoid seeming rude.

It’s a great phrase to practice for business Japanese.

Mastering it will boost your workplace communication skills.

10. ご機嫌いかがですか？ (Gokigen ikaga desu ka?) – go-ki-gen i-ka-ga de-su ka (goh-kee-gen ee-kah-gah dess kah)

This means “How are you feeling?” or “How is your mood?”

It’s a polite way to greet someone in the morning, often used with elders or in formal situations.

It shows genuine interest and respect.

Don’t confuse it with casual “Genki?” which is more informal.

Example: Greeting a senior colleague at the start of the day.

This phrase elevates your politeness level effectively.

11. おはようございます。お疲れ様です (Ohayou gozaimasu. Otsukaresama desu) – oh-ha-yo-u go-za-i-mas. o-tsu-ka-re-sa-ma de-su

This greeting means “Good morning. Thank you for your hard work.”

It’s a polite phrase used in workplaces to appreciate colleagues.

It helps foster good relationships and respect.

Don’t use it with strangers, as it implies ongoing work connection.

Say this when arriving at the office or meeting coworkers.

It’s a key phrase in Japanese work culture.

12. 今日も一日よろしくお願いします (Kyou mo ichinichi yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – kyo-u mo i-chi-ni-chi yo-ro-shi-ku o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su

This phrase means “Please take care of me today as well.”

It’s a polite way to ask for cooperation throughout the day.

Very common in business or school environments.

Make sure to use a respectful tone when saying it.

Example: Saying it to your team at the start of work.

It’s a great phrase for building harmony and teamwork.

13. お目覚めはいかがですか？ (Omezame wa ikaga desu ka?) – o-me-za-me wa i-ka-ga de-su ka

This means “How did you wake up?” or “How are you this morning?”

It’s formal and often used in hospitality or care settings.

It shows genuine concern for someone’s comfort.

Not typically used in casual conversation.

Great phrase for polite morning check-ins.

Using it can make you sound very attentive and considerate.

14. 朝のご挨拶を申し上げます (Asa no go-aisatsu wo moushiagemasu) – a-sa no go-ai-sa-tsu wo mo-u-shi-a-ge-ma-su

This means “I humbly offer my morning greetings.”

It’s a very formal and respectful phrase, used in speeches or ceremonies.

Not for everyday use, but great to know for special occasions.

It highlights humility and respect.

Example: Opening remarks at a morning gathering.

Useful for formal presentations or cultural events.

15. いつもお世話になっております、おはようございます (Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu, ohayou gozaimasu) – i-tsu-mo o-se-wa ni na-tte o-ri-ma-su, oh-ha-yo-u go-za-i-mas

This means “Thank you for your continued support, good morning.”

It’s a polite greeting used in business to show appreciation.

Great for emails, meetings, or phone calls starting the day.

Make sure to say it sincerely to build strong relationships.

Example: Greeting a client or business partner in the morning.

It’s a phrase that reflects professionalism and gratitude.

16. 朝から失礼します (Asa kara shitsurei shimasu) – a-sa ka-ra shi-tsu-re-i shi-ma-su

This means “Excuse me for bothering you so early.”

It’s a polite phrase used when starting a conversation or meeting early.

Shows awareness of timing and respect.

Not a greeting itself, but a useful phrase to accompany one.

Example: Entering a boss’s office first thing in the morning.

Great to use for respectful morning interactions.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. おは (Oha) – o-ha (oh-ha)

This is a super casual, shortened form of “Ohayou.”

Often used among close friends or younger people for a quick hello.

Great for texting or casual speech.

Not suitable for formal or polite situations.

Example: Greeting your best friend on a morning walk.

Use it to sound more natural and relaxed.

18. よー (Yoo) – yo-o (yo-oh)

This is a very informal greeting that can mean “Hey!”

It’s often used by young people to greet friends casually in the morning.

Easy to say and very colloquial.

Not appropriate in polite settings or with strangers.

Example: Saying hi to a friend at school.

Use it to sound more native and casual.

19. おっす (Ossu) – o-ssu (oh-ssu)

This is a very casual and masculine greeting, similar to “Yo!” or “Sup!”

Popular among male friends or in sports settings.

It’s short and energetic.

Not for formal or mixed company.

Example: Greeting teammates at early practice.

Use it sparingly to sound cool and casual.

20. 朝イチ！ (Asa ichi!) – a-sa i-chi (ah-sah ee-chee)

This means “First thing in the morning!”

It’s casual and fun, often used to hype up the start of the day.

Easy to say and energetic.

Not a direct greeting, but a lively morning expression.

Example: Chatting with friends about morning plans.

Use it to sound native and upbeat.

21. 今日もよろしく！ (Kyou mo yoroshiku!) – kyo-u mo yo-ro-shi-ku (kyoh moh yo-ro-shi-ku)

This means “Let’s have a good day together!”

It’s casual and friendly, often used after “Ohayou.”

Shows a positive attitude toward the day.

Not formal, but great with friends or coworkers.

Example: Starting a group project in the morning.

Use it to build camaraderie naturally.

22. 朝から元気？ (Asa kara genki?) – a-sa ka-ra gen-ki (ah-sah kah-rah gen-kee)

This means “Are you energetic this early?”

It’s a casual and playful morning phrase.

Great for teasing friends or family.

Not for formal use.

Example: Greeting a friend who’s unusually lively in the morning.

Use it to add fun to your greetings.

23. まだ寝てた？ (Mada neteta?) – ma-da ne-te-ta (mah-dah neh-teh-tah)

This means “Were you still sleeping?”

It’s casual and often playful.

Good for close friends or siblings.

Avoid in formal or polite settings.

Example: Teasing a friend who’s late to a morning meet-up.

Use it to keep greetings light and friendly.

24. 今日も頑張れよ！ (Kyou mo ganbare yo!) – kyo-u mo gan-ba-re yo (kyoh moh gahn-bah-reh yoh)

This means “Do your best today too!”

It’s casual and motivating, perfect for friends or teammates.

Easy to say and uplifting.

Not formal, so use with people you know well.

Example: Cheering on a friend before a big day.

Use it to inspire energy and positivity in the morning.

Concluding Thought

Learning how to say good morning in Japanese opens the door to warmer, richer conversations. It’s a simple way to connect, show respect, and brighten someone’s day.

Whether you choose casual, polite, or native-like expressions, each phrase carries its own charm and purpose. Practice them and watch your confidence grow.

So go ahead, greet the morning (and your Japanese friends) with a smile and a new phrase in your pocket—you’ve got this!