How to Say “Hi” in Japanese
Casual Greetings, Slang & Informal Ways to Say Hello
When learning Japanese, most textbooks start with formal greetings like “こんにちは” (konnichiwa). But what about when you want to casually say “Hi!” to a friend? What do Japanese people actually say in informal situations?
The truth is, Japanese has dozens of casual greetings that are much more natural than the formal “hello” you learned in class. From the super casual “よ!” to modern slang like “ちーっす”, understanding these informal greetings will make you sound more natural and help you connect better with Japanese friends.
In this guide, we’ll explore all the ways to say “hi” in Japanese—from slightly casual to extremely informal, with examples of when and how to use each one.
The Formality Spectrum
Before diving into specific greetings, it’s important to understand that Japanese greetings exist on a spectrum from super formal to extremely casual:
Japanese Greeting Formality Scale
Use casual greetings ONLY with close friends, family, or people clearly younger/junior to you. Using them with strangers, superiors, or in professional settings is rude!
Top 10 Ways to Say “Hi” Casually
Usage: Extremely casual, usually between close male friends. Similar to English “Yo!”
Vibe: Relaxed, friendly, masculine
Usage: Casual but friendlier than よ. Can be used by both genders with friends.
Vibe: Warm, friendly, approachable
Usage: Energetic, cheerful greeting. More common among women and children.
Vibe: Bright, enthusiastic, cute
Usage: Shortened from おはよう (ohayou). Very common among male friends, sports teams.
Vibe: Bro-like, sporty, masculine
Usage: Super shortened version. Popular among younger men, somewhat slangy.
Vibe: Cool, laid-back, modern
Usage: Variant of やっほー, slightly less energetic. Common in casual messages.
Vibe: Friendly, cheerful
Usage: Very slangy, used among young men. Not appropriate for all situations.
Vibe: Casual, bro-culture
Usage: Versatile casual greeting. Can mean “hi”, “thanks”, or “bye” depending on context.
Vibe: Casual but not rude
Usage: Short, casual greeting. Often used when running into someone unexpectedly.
Vibe: Relaxed, informal
Usage: Ultra-shortened from こんにちは. Super casual, somewhat slangy.
Vibe: Cool, modern slang
Casual Greetings by Time of Day
Just like formal greetings, casual greetings can vary by time of day:
Morning (Casual)
| Japanese | Romaji | Formality | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| おっす | Ossu | Very Casual | Male friends (from おはよう) |
| おはー | Ohā | Casual | Friends (shortened おはよう) |
| ちーっす | Chīssu | Very Casual | Close friends, young men |
Anytime Greetings (Casual)
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| よ! | Yo! | Yo! / Hey! | Close friends, casual encounters |
| やあ | Yaa | Hi / Hey there | Friends, acquaintances |
| どうも | Dōmo | Hey / Hi | Neighbors, casual situations |
Situation-Based Examples
Running Into a Friend
Note: よ (yo) is perfect for casual surprise encounters
Arriving at a Friend’s House
Note: やっほー shows enthusiasm and friendliness
Text Message
Note: Casual greetings are very common in text messages
Sports Team / Club
Note: おっす is very common in sports/team environments
Gender Differences in Casual Greetings
While Japanese is becoming more gender-neutral, some casual greetings are still associated more with one gender:
More Commonly Used by Men:
- よ (yo) – Very masculine
- おっす (ossu) – Masculine, sports/bro culture
- ちーっす (chīssu) – Young men, very casual
- ういっす (uissu) – Masculine slang
More Commonly Used by Women:
- やっほー (yahhō) – Feminine, cheerful
- やほー (yahō) – Feminine, friendly
- ハーイ (hāi) – Feminine, from English “hi”
Gender-Neutral:
- やあ (yaa) – Anyone can use
- どうも (dōmo) – Anyone can use
- よう (yō) – Mostly neutral, slightly masculine
When in doubt, stick with gender-neutral options like やあ (yaa) or どうも (dōmo). They’re safe, friendly, and appropriate for anyone.
Modern Slang Greetings
Young Japanese people have created many new casual greetings, especially for online communication:
From こんにちは → contracted to ちわ → add っす. Very slangy, young people only.
Borrowed from English. Sounds cute and casual. Common in text messages.
Doubling やほ makes it cuter and more playful. Used in online chat/social media.
When NOT to Use Casual Greetings
- ❌ Your boss or coworkers (unless you’re very close friends outside work)
- ❌ Teachers or professors
- ❌ Strangers or people you just met
- ❌ Customers or clients
- ❌ Older people you don’t know well
- ❌ Anyone in a formal setting (business meetings, ceremonies, etc.)
- ❌ Your friend’s parents (use polite greetings!)
Safe Default: When in doubt, use こんにちは (konnichiwa) or おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu). You can always become more casual once you establish the relationship!
Quick Reference Guide
Casual Greeting Cheat Sheet
| Greeting | Situation | Vibe | Who Uses It |
|---|---|---|---|
| よ! | Surprise encounter with close friend | Casual, masculine | Mainly men |
| やあ | Seeing a friend | Friendly, warm | Anyone |
| やっほー | Arriving energetically | Cheerful, cute | Mainly women/kids |
| おっす | Sports team, male friends | Bro-like, sporty | Mainly men |
| どうも | Neighbors, acquaintances | Casual but polite | Anyone |
| ちーっす | Close friends, very casual | Cool, laid-back | Young men |
Key Takeaways:
- ✅ Casual greetings should ONLY be used with close friends, family, or clear juniors
- ✅ よ (yo) and おっす (ossu) are popular among male friends
- ✅ やっほー (yahhō) is cheerful and more feminine
- ✅ やあ (yaa) and どうも (dōmo) are gender-neutral casual greetings
- ✅ Text messages often use shortened slang versions
- ✅ When in doubt, stick with polite こんにちは until the relationship is established
- ✅ Never use casual greetings with superiors, strangers, or in business settings
- ✅ Pay attention to how native speakers greet each other in different contexts
Practice Makes Natural
Learning casual Japanese greetings is all about context and observation. Watch how Japanese friends greet each other in anime, dramas, or real life. Pay attention to who uses which greeting with whom.
Start conservatively—use polite greetings until someone uses casual greetings with you first. Once you’ve established that level of relationship, you can mirror their casualness.
Remember: it’s better to be slightly too formal than accidentally rude. Japanese people appreciate foreigners who make the effort to learn appropriate language for different situations. Have fun with it, but stay mindful of context!
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
