Running head: GREETINGS IN ENGLISH AND JAPANESE
GREETINGS IN ENGLISH AND JAPANESE A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS
Student: Nguyen Thi Quynh Tram
Class: 4A
Instructor: Nguyen Ngoc Vu
Ho Chi Minh city University of Pedagogy
A contrastive analysis of greetings in English and Japanese
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Abstract
At the beginning of a day, the first thing you should say to others is a greeting. Also at
the end of a day, the last thing people should hear from you is a greeting. The greeting
seemingly contains no other meanings than somehow sounds like a ritual of formality, but it
may make people’s days. Each country has different ways of greetings. And in those
differences include the varieties. “Greetings” is usually the first lesson for every language
learners; however, it doesn’t mean that they are the easiest, but the most important one.
They are considered the fundamental basis in learning languages. You may not, at first,
know how to make a question, to order, to converse, but you’ll be regarded just after a
greeting.
This paper aims to introduce some types of greetings in English and Japanese,
dividing into three mains parts. The first one is simply the introduction of what greetings
mentioned in this paper are. The second part focuses on different types of greetings in
English and Japanese as well as the variety of themselves in each language. Next, some
discussions and implications of teaching are suggested. Last one is the conclusion.
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Introduction of greetings
According to Wikimedia, greeting is a speech or an act of communication in which
human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to,
and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people
coming in contact with each other. The greeting customs exist in every country. It depends
much on the cultures, therefore different cultures own different ways of greetings. And due to
the fact that cultures may change, more and more greetings have been added so far.
Greetings are also up to the social status and relationship between people.
Greetings can be expressed both audibly and physically, and often involve a
combination of the two.
Greetings are often, but not always, used just prior to a conversation.
People don’t just greet each other before a conversation, after the first meet, but also
before they leave or on special occasion, like Christmas, New Year Eve, birthday, wedding…
A contrastive analysis of greetings in
English and Japanese
Once you have just met a person, or have been introduced to someone and the next
time you see him or her, it is important to greet that person. We also greet people as we
leave people. In English and Japanese (as in all languages), there are different ways to greet
people in formal and informal situations.
1. Periodical greetings
a. In English:

In the morning: “good morning”

In the afternoon: “good afternoon”

In the evening: “good evening”
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
At night: “good night” (before bedtime)
English speakers use terms above to greet each other. It means having a great morning/
afternoon/ evening. The terms are used in general situations, between those who have
casual relationships or for strangers to each other.
In informal situations, people usually drop the word “good”. They just say “Morning/
Afternoon/ Evening/ Night”.
a. In Japanese:

In the morning: “おはようございます” - ohayo gozaimasu - used until about 11am;
however, if it is the first occasion people meet in a day, it may be used as well.

In the afternoon: “こんにちは” - konnichiwa - which is equivalent to "good day" or
"good afternoon" and is used until late afternoon.

In the evening: “こんばんは” - konbanwa

At night: “おやすみなさい” - oyasuminasai (before bedtime)
Japanese people use those terms to greet each other formally. In the morning, people can
also say “おはよう” ohayo (drop the word “gozaimasu”) to greet in a friendly way (informal).
Besides, there is no other ways in which less formal greetings are used.
Greetings are considered to be of extreme importance in Japanese culture. Students in
elementary and secondary schools are often taught to deliver greetings with energy. A lazy
greeting is regarded with the type of disrespect.
2. Greetings on special occasions
1. In English:
It is common to use a special greeting, which is used just for that occasion on special days,
holidays and other special occasions. Here are some of the most common:

Birthdays
Happy birthday!
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Best wishes / Good luck on your thirtieth (age - use an ordinal number) birthday!
Many happy returns!

Wedding / Anniversary
Best wishes / good luck on your tenth (number - use an ordinal number) anniversary!
Here's to many more happy years together (used when making a toast)
Happy Wedding/ Anniversary!

Special Holidays
Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas!
ristmas” and “Happy Christmas”: people commonly use “Merry

Christmas” in America and United Kingdom. “Merry” means jolly and happy. The word
“Christmas originally comes from “Christ’s Mass”. “Happy”, on the contrary, are regularly
used in the UK and Ireland, an equivalence to “Merry Christmas”.
Happy New Year/ Easter /Thanksgiving / etc.
All the best for a happy New Year/ Easter /Thanksgiving/ etc.
♬ When making special greetings to children on their birthday or at Christmas, it is also
common to ask them what they received: (because they’d love to share their happiness to
you eagerly)
- Merry Christmas! What did you get from Santa Claus?
- Happy Birthday! What did your Daddy get for you?
♬ Typically, a greeting comprises the word "Happy" followed by the holiday, such as "Happy
Wedding" or "Happy New Year".
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In the United States, the phrase "Happy Holidays" is often used as a generic cover-all
greeting for all of the holidays, including: winter holiday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New
Year's Eve, …
b. In Japanese:
How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese? In fact, since Christmas comes from
the West, there are no Japanese words for "Merry Christmas". People just borrow an English
word with Japanese pronunciation: "Merii Kurisumasu". As it is a Japanese expression
borrowing from English, it is written in Katakana1.
ME
RI
I
KU
RI
SU
MA
SU
MERRY CHRISTMAS
On the contrary, celebrating one’s birthday and the New Year coming do exist in
Japan. When saying "Happy Birthday" or "Happy New Year", "omedetou（おめでとう）" is
used for "Happy ~." It is the general way of expressing congratulations. "Omedetou
gozaimasu （おめでとうございます）" is used in more formal situations.
Tanjoubi omedetou.
Happy Birthday.
誕生日おめでとう。
Akemashite omedetou.
Happy New Year.
明けましておめでとう。
"Akemashite (明けまして）" comes from "toshi ga akeru (a new year is dawning)."
1
Katakana is one of the three types of writing system in Japanese. It is used when writing
words borrowed from foreign languages, specific names of plants and animals and other
jargon, or to emphasize a word or phrase.
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"Yoi otoshi o omukae kudasai （良いお年をお迎えください）" or simply "Yoi otoshi o （良
いお年を）" is "I wish that you will have a good new year."
Go-kekkon omedetou gozaimasu.
Congratulations on your wedding.
ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Go-sotsugyou omedetou.
Congratulations on your graduation.
ご卒業おめでとう。
If people want to say “Happy Valentine”, it comes to:
 幸せ
な
バレンタインデー デイ
Shiawase na
barentaindee
dei
 ゆかい バレンタインデー デイ
yukai
barentaindee
dei
 バレンタイン おめでとう ございます
Barentain
omedetou
gozaimasu
The Japanese have adapted many western customs, however phrases like "Happy Easter,"
"Happy Halloween," or "Happy Holidays" are not widely used.
2. Greetings in other cases (formal and informal)
a. In English:
To those who have known each other before or have intimate relationship, English speakers
can greet by using questions (i.e. greeting questions) regardless of the time.
 Hi! (informal)
 Hi, there! (informal)
 Hello!
 “How do you do?” is considered a greeting not a question and the appropriate
response is to repeat “How do you do?” In the question, we raise voice at the end of
the sentence. In response, we lower voice at the end of the sentence. (*)
 “How are you?” - “I am fine, than you. And you?”
 “Hi, how have you been?” – “Pretty good. How about you?”
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 “How are you doing?” – “Can’t complain. And you?” (informal)
 “How is it going?”– “Not bad. And you?” (informal)
Some friendly questions of a very general nature: (very informal – Remember that thei
purpose is to show friendliness.)
 “What’s new?” – “Could be better. How’s everything with you?”
 “What’s up?” – “Nothing much. And yourself?”
 “What’s happening?” – “So, so. How’s it going with you?”
Greetings on the run:
 “Hi, how ya doin’?”
 “Hi! Gotta run. I’m late for class.” – “Ok!”
Speedy greeting:
A: Hi, how’ve you been?”
B: Not bad. And you?
A: Oh, can’t complain. Busy.
B: I know. Me, too.
A: Oh well, gotta take off. See ya.
B: Bye, take care.
The chat:
A: Hi!
B: Hi!
A: Howa ya doin’?
B: All right – comfortable – pretty good.
A: Look, I’ll see you later.
B: Ok, bye!
The long greeting:
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M: Betty!
B: Michelle!
M: Where’ve you been? I haven’t seen you around.
B: We were away. We just got back. What’s new with you? What have you been
up to?
M: (Michelle reports on neighborhood news in detail) We missed you. How are you?
It’s so nice to see you. Where’d you go?
B: (Bea described her vacation in detail)
M: Well, I’m glad you’re back. It’s so nice to see you. I missed talking to you.
B: Aw. Well, we’re back! How have you been doing?
The intimate greeting:
Husband: Well?
Wife: Yes.
Husband: Great. What else did you do today?
Wife: (tell her husband in details what she has done recently)
Meeting someone new:
When someone introduces you to another person, you have to use a correct greeting.
Here are some neutral ones and some informal ones. They are used by BOTH parties.
There are no rules about which one to use. The second person can use the same
greeting as the first person, or he can use a different one.
 It’s nice to meet you.
 It’s a pleasure to meet you.
 I’m very happy to meet you.
 I’m pleased to meet you.
 I’m delighted to meet you.
 How do you do? (This is not used in America nearly as much as in Great Britain.
Please note that it is NOT a question. It is only a greeting, which requires a
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response with any other greetings, including “How do you do”. Have a look again
at II.3.1 *)
b. In Japanese:
 はじめまして- Hajimemashite – means "Nice to meet you." used when meeting
someone for the first time after the introduction.
 どうぞよろしく- Dozoyoroshiku - "Please be kind to me" or literally translated
"Please give favors to me". It is used when meeting someone for the first time and
you will be working or staying with him or her, usually said after Hajimemashite.
 お元気でいらっしゃいますか。 (very formal)
Ogenki de irasshaimasu ka.
Have you been doing well?
 お元気ですか。
Ogenki desu ka.
Have you been doing well?
 いかがお過ごしでいらっしゃいますか。
(very formal)
Ikaga osugoshi de irasshaimasu ka.
How have you been?
 いかがお過ごしですか。
Ikaga osugoshi desu ka.
How have you been?
Suggessting response:
 おかげさまで元気にしております。
(very formal)
Okagesama de genki ni shite orimasu.
Fortunately I'm doing well.
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 家族一同元気にしております。
Kazoku ichidou genki ni shite orimasu.
The whole family is doing well.
 はい, げんき です. あなた わ?
Hai, genki desu. Anata wa?
I’m fine. And you?
 はい, げんき です. あなた も おげんき です か?
Hai, genki desu. Anata mo ogenki desu ka?
I’m fine. And you’re doing well, too?
In Japanese, wheter you’re talking to a new person or an acquaintance, it is compulsory
to use formal greetings. Once you’re considered being rude to Japanese, it’s hard to
maintain that relationship. Not only in greetings, but also in every sentence you speak
out, there are always respect form of verbs that you are supposed to use. That’s why
every learner should provide themselves with adequate knowledge of honorifics, terms of
respect when they visit Japan, one of the most modern countries in the world together
with the most traditional one.
Discussion
From the past till now, the Japanese appreciate the politeness and reason. Hence,
there are just formal or very formal greetings and responses in Japanese. People rarely use
informal ones to each other, but best friends. On the contrary, nowadays, English speakers
prefer using informal speeches in their daily conversations, to show their friendliness, the
relationship between them and to shorten their speeches.
In English, with mother or father, somtimes even with strangers, people can use
informal greetings. The formal ones are used in formal situation, when they need to be
polite. In Japanese, to whoever you’re talking, a polite sentence is always preferred.
Especially to your parents, teachers, and doctors, respect terms are used more regularly.
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In English, there may be more informal terms to greet than in Japanese. Therefore,
some think learning how to greet and response in Japanese are far easier than in English,
because they have fixed structures and responses, which are always formal. Hence,
Japanese learners won’t be put in a confusing situation, where they don’t know which
structures to be used appropriately, and won’t be judged as being rude when greeting
someone. However, you can think the opposite. English with flexible greetings makes us feel
free when talking to each other and makes the conversation more spontaneous and
convenient.
Implication
Learning a language is not about learning words and structures. It comprises learning
other cultures. As this paper have discussed above, we can see that the Japanese culture
and English one are totally different, contrary. When teaching English for Japanese people
or vice versa, teachers have to provide learners with a basic culture understanding. In
Japan, people respect everyone and themselves. Learner should pay attention to formality
structures. Remember that respect terms are always valued in Japan. While in English,
people love friendly address. They tend to use informal speech in daily life, except for polite
and formal situation, to shorten the conversation, and make is more convenient. Learners
shouldn’t make the speaking so solemn and serious, or they will think you’re a bookish
person.
Some holidays are adopted from the West. Japanese itself doesn’t have an inland
word; it has to borrow from other language, English, but with its pronunciation. Hence, it is
an advantage for English speakers on learning Japanese special occasion greetings.
Conclusion
Greeting is something you have to learn by heart. Some of them don’t apply any
grammatical strutures. In each occasion people use a different greeting. A greeting depends
on the intimacy of one’s relationship and the formality of a situation. Language learners
should self-equiped their own knowledge of culture, so they can avoid misunderstanding.
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A greeting opens a conversation, begins a new relationship, makes others’ day... An
appropriate greeting brings good feelings to people and ease the conversation. Thus, it is
very important in learning language.
To gain the mastery of language, you don’t merely need knowledge of grammar,
vocabulary, listening/ reading/ writing/ speaking skill, but also how to make your speaking
smooth, appropriate and spontaneous. So far I have given you a contrastive analysis of
greetings in English and Japanese. I hope this paper will bring you a better look at greetings
in English and Japanese, in specific situations, suggest you a way to open an conversation
and help you find it easier in communicating in daily life.
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Reference
Barrow, M. (2009). Greeting Etiquette in Britain (UK). Retrieved December 20, 2011,
from http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/greetings.htm#top
Beare, K. (2011). Special Days – Social Language. Retrieved December 28, 2011,
from http://esl.about.com/od/beginnerpronunciation/a/sgreetings.htm
Wikipedia. (2011). Christmas and holiday greetings. Retrieved December 28, 2011,
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_greetings
Senko, K. M. (1990). An introduction to Japanese grammar and communication
strategies. (11th ed.). Japan: The Japan Times.
Owaga, I. (1998). Minna no Nihongo I. Japan: 3A Corporation.
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