If you are an international student living in Japan then you must know about the country’s way of life, especially the important greeting customs in Japan. The people in East Asian countries are rooted in their culture and believe in greeting each other when they meet. There are different ways by which people greet one another. In this blog, we will discuss some of these customs, and expressions and how they should be used in both formal and informal situations. So without further ado, let’s get started!
This Blog Includes:
Formal Greeting Customs in Japan
In a formal set up it is very important to maintain proper gestures, tone, and body language. Japanese people believe that it is important to give respect to one another to build a good formal relationship. Keep the below-mentioned points in mind when you greet someone in a formal setup-
Maintain Proper Distance
You should not step in directly for a handshake or a hug. As per greeting customs in Japan, you must maintain a respectful distance. Japanese culture values space and privacy strongly so you must maintain a proper distance to show deference toward the other individual.
Be Kind and Respectful
You must be gentle and kind in your interactions. You have to speak clearly but not use a high pitch at any cost. Be polite and respectful in your tone of voice. Not just your business colleagues, you should be respectful even towards the service people and vendors with whom you may come across. This will help demonstrate that you understand and adapt well to local cultural norms of society.
A Few Other Tips
You must not maintain bold and direct eye contact while talking. From time to time try to look at a person’s chin or mouth without making the person feel awkward. Always looking in someone’s eyes may make that person feel uncomfortable and it may give a sign that you are aggressive and not gentle.
You may shake hands if one offers to. Directly shaking hands without exchanging greetings may be considered rude. However, if a senior offers to shake hands with you, you should politely accept the gesture.
Also Read: You must read our blog on Essentials For International Students While Studying broad
Informal Greeting Customs in Japan
As you would expect, the rules to greet people in an informal setup are simpler than the ones in a formal setup. However, some basic things remain the same like avoiding direct eye contact. Though your conversational tone will still be polite, the body language does not have to be too restricted and rigid.
Give a Small Bow
Japanese people offer a bow even in informal greetings to show respect. As per the greeting customs of Japan, the depth of the bow reflects the amount of respect. As a thumb rule, a small bow or a gentle dip of the head is sufficient to reflect respect in informal meetings.
Offering a Handshake
In an informal setup, you can offer a gentle handshake. Remember that your hands should not be too firm as this may mean that you are being rude. Keep your hands loose and do a handshake of around 5 seconds before letting it go.
Greeting With Common Japanese Phrases
Below are some of the common greeting phrases used in Japan. These phrases will come in handy when you meet people-
- Konnichiwa- This simple greeting means ‘hello’ or ‘good day’ in Japanese.
- Ohayo gozaimasu- This phrase means good morning in Japanese and can be used in formal and informal situations alike.
- Konbanwa- You can greet people in the evening by saying ‘Konbanwa’ which means ‘good evening’.
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FAQs on Greeting Customs in Japan
Some of the most common phrases to greet someone in Japanese are ‘Konnichiwa’ (Hello), ‘Ohayo gozaimasu’ (good morning), and ‘Konbanwa’ (Good evening).
Konnichiwa (pronounced: ‘kon-nee-chee-wah’) is the expression used in Japanese to say hello.
Ohayo means good morning in Japanese. You can either say ‘ohayo’ or ‘konnichiwa’ (hello) to greet people in the morning.
Greetings are a way of life in Japanese culture. People greet each other to show respect and build bonds. It is common in Japan for people to offer a bow and say ‘Arigatou’ meaning thank you.
Arigatou is the word used in Japanese to say thank you.
This blog was all about ways to greet in Japan and common greeting customs used in Japan. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
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