Of all the Japanese you are about to learn, ‘greetings' would probably fall into the ‘Top Ten' of language items in terms of frequency. For this reason, it is essential that you come to terms with greeting people from the very outset.

Greetings in Japanese are determined according to whether the person spoken to is (1) senior in terms of age or social status or (2) on an equal level, in terms of age or social standing. In addition, it is not just the social standing of the person spoken to that is reflected in the language used. The level of familiarity may also influence the language used.

・ Ohayoogozaimasu. Good morning. 　(Used with superiors, people with whom you are not very familiar) ・Arigatoo gozaimasu ・Ohayoo gozaimasu ・Ohayoo. Morning!

(Used with people of an equal social position and with people you know well [of course, with family members, as well])

Examples:

(With different social positions)
・Ordinary office worker:　Ohayoo gozaimasu . Good morning.

・Department Head:　A', ohayoo . Ah! Morning!
(With different levels of intimacy)

・With your own mother:　Ohayoo . Good morning.

・With your mother-in-law:　Ohayoo gozaimasu. Good morning.

☆　Konnichiwa. Hello. Good afternoon. Good day.

　　　Kombanwa. Good evening.

　　　Sayoonara. Goodbye

The expression may be used with people irrespective of social standing, however it must be remembered that it is never used with members of your own family, unless of course, you are bidding someone a final farewell.