こんにちは

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. こんにちは、田中さん。▶ —
   Hello, Mr. Tanaka.
2. こんにちは!お元気ですか。▶ —
   Hello! How are you?

Collocations

Mnemonic

こんにちは konnichiwa — etymology: shortened from 今日は (kyou wa, "as for today..."). That's why the final character is は (the topic-marker wa, not はい's ha). Three time-based greetings: おはよう (morning) → こんにちは (daytime) → こんばんは (evening).

Quick check

1. What time of day is こんにちは used?

   • daytime/afternoon (~10am-5pm)
   • morning (4am-10am, use おはよう)
   • evening/night (after 5pm, use こんばんは)
   • all day (incorrect)