Japanese Conversation · Level 2
86 words
Japanese word
こんばんは
Pronunciation
Romajikonbanwa
Meaning
- interjectiongood evening
Example
皆さん、こんばんは。今日は楽しかったです。mina sa n ko n ba n wa kyō wa tano shi ka tta de su
Good evening, everyone. Today was fun.
More examples
店員さんにこんばんはとあいさつしました。ten in sa n ni ko n ba n wa to a i sa tsu shi ma shi ta
I said good evening to the store clerk.
Core concept
Marks a polite greeting used when meeting or addressing someone in the evening.
Common phrases
こんばんは、皆さんko n ba n wa mina sa n
good evening, everyone
Similar words
おはようohayō: A morning greeting used when meeting or addressing someone early in the day.
こんにちはkonnichiwa: A greeting used when meeting or addressing someone during the daytime.
Definition in Japanese
夕方から夜にかけて、人に会ったときなどに交わす挨拶の語。yū gata ka ra yoru ni ka ke te hito ni a tta to ki na do ni ka wa su ai satsu no go
Word origin
こんばんは (konban wa) is a shortened greeting built from 今晩 (konban, "this evening") and the topic particle は (wa), with the rest of an older greeting omitted.
Usage tips
- The greeting こんばんは (konban wa) is conventionally written with は (wa), although this particle is pronounced wa rather than ha in the phrase.