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おはようございます
ohayō gozaimasu
What does "おはようございます" mean?
good morningA: おはようございます！ B: おはようございます！
A: Good morning! B: Good morning!
How to use "おはようございます" correctly?
formal
A polite greeting used in the morning, typically from waking up until around noon.
母：おはようございます。今日はいい天気ですね。
Mother: Good morning. It's a nice day today.
部長：おはようございます。昨日は遅くまでお疲れ様でした。
Manager: Good morning. You worked late yesterday. Thank you for your hard work.
More formal than おはよう, which is casual or familiar. Often used in workplaces, schools, or with strangers.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use おはよう vs おはようございます
Use おはよう with friends, family, or people you're close with. Use おはようございます in formal settings like work, school, or with strangers to show respect.
Gold Rule
Morning greeting window
The phrase おはようございます is appropriate from waking up until around noon. After noon, switch to こんにちは (good afternoon/evening).
Word Origin
From おはよう (ohayō, early morning) + ございます (gozaimasu, humble copula expressing politeness). The combination elevates the casual greeting to a formal one.
Usage Notes
Used from waking up until around noon. After noon, こんにちは is appropriate. In very casual settings with close friends or family, おはよう is sufficient.
Word Breakdown
おはよう
early morning / good morning (casual)
rootございます
humble copula (polite)
suffix和英辞典