Formal Greetings:
* Ohayō gozaimasu (おはようございます): Good morning (used until noon)
* Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Good afternoon/hello (used from noon to evening)
* Konbanwa (こんばんは): Good evening (used from evening to night)
* Hajimemashite (はじめまして): Nice to meet you (used when meeting someone for the first time)
* Yoroshiku onegai shimasu (よろしくお願いします): Please take care of me/I hope we can work well together (used when introducing yourself or meeting someone for the first time)
Informal Greetings:
* Ohayo (おはよう): Good morning (used among friends and family)
* Konnichiwa (こんにちは): Good afternoon/hello (used among friends and family)
* Konbanwa (こんばんは): Good evening (used among friends and family)
* Moshimo (もしも): Hello (used over the phone)
Other Greetings:
* Sayōnara (さようなら): Goodbye (used when leaving someone for a long time)
* Jā, mata ne (じゃあ、またね): See you later (used when leaving someone temporarily)
* Gomen nasai (ごめんなさい): Excuse me/sorry (used to apologize)
* Arigatō gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): Thank you (used to express gratitude)
Physical Greetings:
* Bowing: The most common greeting in Japan. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the level of formality and the relationship between the people involved.
* Handshake: Handshakes are becoming more common, particularly in business settings.
* Hugging and Kissing: These are not common greetings in Japan, except among close friends and family.
It's important to note that the specific greeting used can vary depending on the situation. For example, you wouldn't use "Konnichiwa" when greeting your boss in the morning. It's always best to err on the side of formality, as it's considered polite to show respect to others.