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Daily Greetings at Work

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Daily Greetings at Work

Greetings are the first Japanese you will use every day. Clear, energetic greetings make your supervisors and coworkers feel comfortable working with you, even before your Japanese is fluent.

Six key greetings

JapaneseRomajiMeaningWhen to use it
おはようございますohayou gozaimasugood morningWhen you first meet coworkers at the start of work. At many workplaces, this greeting is also used at the start of an afternoon or night shift.
お疲れ様ですotsukaresama desuthank you for your hard workWhen you pass coworkers or supervisors during working hours, and when starting a conversation.
失礼しますshitsurei shimasuexcuse meWhen entering or leaving a supervisor's room, and when ending a phone call.
お先に失礼しますosaki ni shitsurei shimasuexcuse me for leaving firstWhen you leave work while your coworkers are still working.
ありがとうございますarigatou gozaimasuthank youWhen someone helps you, teaches you, or gives you something.
すみませんsumimasensorry / excuse meWhen calling someone's attention, apologizing for something small, or asking to get past.

Greeting pairs

Some greetings have a standard reply:

  • You: お先に失礼します。(Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.) — Coworker: お疲れ様でした。(Otsukaresama deshita.) — Thank you for your hard work today.
  • You: おはようございます。— Coworker: おはようございます。
  • Coworker: ありがとうございます。— You: いいえ。(Iie.) — You're welcome.

Apologizing at the right level

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
すみませんsumimasensorry (small mistake)
申し訳ありませんmoushiwake arimasenI am very sorry (more formal, for mistakes at work)

When you make a mistake at work, say 申し訳ありません and then explain right away what happened. Do not stay silent or laugh to hide your embarrassment, because it can be misunderstood.

One thing to avoid

ご苦労様です (gokurousama desu) also means thank you for your hard work. However, it is usually said by a supervisor to a subordinate. To your supervisor, use お疲れ様です.

How to say it

  • Look at the other person, then bow slightly.
  • Speak in a clear voice. A greeting that is too quiet can seem unenthusiastic.
  • Do not look at your phone or keep walking quickly while greeting.

Practice

Say each of the six greetings above out loud five times. Then imagine one workday: arriving, passing your supervisor, entering the office, being helped by a coworker, and leaving before others. Which greeting do you say at each moment?

Greeting customs can differ a little between companies; watch how your coworkers do it and ask your supervisor.

Greetings used every day at Japanese workplaces: when to say them and how to reply.

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