Greeting a Japanese Friend

おはようございます [ohayō gozaimasu]
Good morning / Hello

(Greeting someone before noon.)

• おはよう [ohayō] means "early"
• ございます [gozaimasu] means "is"
• Literally means "It's early."

おはよう [ohayō] is a casual way to say "hi"

こんにちは [konnichiwa]
Good afternoon / Hello

(Greeting someone between noon and around 5pm.)

• Literally means "This day."

こんばんは [konbanwa]
Good evening / Hello

(Greeting someone at night.)

ありがとうございます [arigatō gozaimasu]
Thank you

• ありがとう [arigatō] means "worthy of gratitude"
• ございます [gozaimasu] means "is"
• Literally means "It's worthy of gratitude."

ありがとう [arigatō] is a casual way to say "thank you"

Scene #1

• A: おはようございます
  Hello
• B: おはようございます [ohayō gozaimasu]
  Hello

Scene #2

• A: あ、こんにちは
  Oh, Hello.
• B: こんにちは [konnichiwa]
  Hello.
• B: ありがとうございます [arigatō gozaimasu]
  Thank you.
• A: いいえ
  You're welcome.

Scene #3

• A: あ、こんにちは
  Oh, Hello.
• B: こんばんは [konbanwa]
  Hello.