After having introduced ourselves to our partners, we would like to greet them in Japanese, too. Here are the formulas for greetings you can safely use with business partners:
In the morning until about 10 a.m. we use Ohayô gozaimasu! おはようございます。(„It’s early!“) After 10 a.m. until about 6 p.m. Kon’nichiwa! こんにちは。(„Today“) is appropriate.
After 6 p.m. it’s time to use Kon’banwa! 今晩は („This evening“)
If you haven’t met your partner for a longer period of time, you can greet him or her with Ohisashiburi desu! お久しぶりです。(„it’s been a long time!“) You could then continue the conversation with the following expression:
The equivalent of „How are you“ would be Ogenki desu ka? お元気ですか。(„Are you healthy and happy?“).
Your japanese partner will most likely answer with Hai, okagesama de. は い、おかげ様で。(Yes, thanks to your help.) A Japanese will never talk about health and other problems unless heor she is prepared to accept help from whoever he is confiding in.
Well, now it’s time to say farewell with ogenki de お元気で- Take care until next timel when we will take a look at the expressions for saying „goodbye“!
