No, you generally shouldn't say konnichiwa (こんにちは) at night; you should use konbanwa (こんばんは) for "good evening," while konnichiwa is for daytime (late morning to dusk), and ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます) is for the morning, though context, especially in late-night work settings, can sometimes bend these rules.
This article introduces 10 basic Japanese greetings to help you prepare for your language and study abroad program in Japan.
こんにちは (Konnichiwa) This is the most standard way to say "hello" in Japanese. It literally means "good afternoon" and is commonly used from late morning to early evening.
Konnichiwa – Good Afternoon / Hello
One of the most well-known Japanese greetings, konnichiwa こんにちは, is a versatile way to say hello, typically used from late morning to early evening.
The greetings change depending on the time of the day. For example, “Good morning” is generally used from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. whereas “Good afternoon” time is from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. “Good evening” is often used after 6 p.m. or when the sun goes down. Keep in mind that “Goodnight” is not a salutation.
Good evening: Meaning & Examples
Say “Good evening” to say “hello” after 6:00 PM. “Good evening” is commonly used at restaurants, in a professional context, and in speeches (when you speak in front of a large number of people): “Good evening, do you have a reservation?” (at a restaurant) “Good evening, Tom.
In the morning, just say, "Good morning." At night, to greet people, say, "Good evening", no matter what time of night it is. You only say, "Good night" when you're leaving or going to bed. It is as good as saying goodbye.
Konnichiwa is a common greeting for Japanese people. It's a general “hello” and can be used throughout the day – though early in the morning or late at night you'd be wiser to use ohayou and konbanwa.
The Japanese 80% rule, known as "Hara Hachi Bu", is a Confucian principle advising people to stop eating when they feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed, to support health and longevity. This practice encourages mindful eating, helps prevent overeating, and is linked to lower rates of illness and longer lifespans, particularly observed in Okinawan centenarians. It involves slowing down during meals, listening to your body's fullness cues, and appreciating food as fuel rather than indulging to the point of discomfort.
As above, budget travellers might manage on roughly ¥8,000–10,000 ($50–$70) per day with hostels and convenience store food. A mid-range traveller often plans ¥20,000–30,000 ($130–$200) per day. Luxury travel ($300–$500 per day or more) is also common if staying in high-end hotels and dining at fancy restaurants.
Japanese people say "草" (kusa, meaning grass) as slang for "LOL" or "hahaha" because a string of repeated "w"s (wwww) used to express laughter looks like blades of grass, evolving from the kanji 笑 (wara) for laugh, shortened to 'w'. It signifies amusement, similar to typing "lol" in English, but context matters, and it's generally used in informal online settings.
If someone says arigatou (ありがとう) casually, respond with iie iie, zenzen, or daijoubu. If someone says arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます) politely, dou itashimashite or yokatta desu work well. If someone says arigatou gozaimashita (ありがとうございました) in past tense with high formality, consider kyoushuku desu or osoreirimasu.
The "Japan 5-minute rule" refers to extreme punctuality, meaning you should arrive 5-10 minutes before a scheduled time, as being exactly on time is considered late, demonstrating respect and reliability, a concept sometimes called "5-minute prior action" (５分前行動). It highlights Japanese culture's emphasis on preparedness, where trains are so precise that delays over 5 minutes get official notes, making being early a crucial part of business and social etiquette.
The Japanese 80/20 rule refers to Hara Hachi Bu (腹八分目), a Confucian teaching meaning "eat until you are 80% full," a mindful practice from Okinawa linked to longevity, where you stop eating before feeling completely stuffed to avoid overconsumption and promote health. It encourages slowing down, listening to your body's hunger cues, and leaving some space in your stomach, leading to lower calorie intake and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Each greeting corresponds to a specific time of day or situation.
Yes, $5,000 is generally more than enough for a single person for a week in Japan, even covering flights from North America/Europe, allowing for comfortable mid-range travel with nice meals and experiences, but it might be tight for a couple or if you're aiming for extreme luxury or extensive shopping; budget travelers can do it for much less, while luxury travelers could easily spend more. Your biggest variables will be your flight cost, accommodation choices (business hotels, ryokans, or hostels), and dining habits (convenience stores vs. high-end sushi).
Not finishing one's meal is not considered impolite in Japan, but rather is taken as a signal to the host that one wishes to be served another helping. Conversely, finishing one's meal completely, especially the rice, indicates that one is satisfied and therefore does not wish to be served any more.
You must stop the car at the stop line before the intersection, not before the traffic signal. At the red light, you can not go straight or turn left. Even at the red light, you may proceed to the direction of the green arrow light.
What's Moshi Moshi mean? In Japanese, the phrase “Moshi moshi” (もしもし) is a type of greeting used when answering the phone, equivalent to saying “hello.” or “I speak I speak”.
Arigatou on its own is a simple, somewhat casual “thank you.” That said, most people prefer doumo arigatou or arigatou gozaimasu as their standard way of saying thanks, because both of those phrases are more polite than arigatou on its own.
This word is used in various settings, from casual encounters to more formal situations, and is one of the most widely recognized Japanese greetings. Despite being translated as “Good Afternoon,” konnichiwa can also be used as a general greeting throughout the day, typically from late morning until early evening.
Sleep tight, sweetheart. Sleep well, my darling. Night night, sweet face. Good night, my heart.
Good night 🌙" is a conventional and friendly way to say goodbye in the evening, wish someone a restful night, or signal that you are going to sleep. The moon emoji (🌙) visually reinforces that it's nighttime and adds a soft, gentle touch to the message.
3 AM is technically morning (AM) because it's ante meridiem (before noon), but it's widely considered night or the "middle of the night" as most people are sleeping and it's dark, with sunrise typically much later. It's the early part of the day that most associate with darkness and sleep, often called the "witching hour" in folklore.