Japanese word

挨拶

Pronunciation

Romajiaisatsu

Meaning

  • noungreeting

Example

毎朝、家族に挨拶します。mai asa ka zoku ni ai satsu shi ma su

I greet my family every morning.

Illustration for 挨拶 (greeting)

More examples

友だちに元気よく挨拶します。tomo da chi ni gen ki yo ku ai satsu shi ma su

I greet my friends cheerfully.

来客には、笑顔で挨拶をします。rai kyaku ni wa e gao de ai satsu o shi ma su

I greet visitors with a smile.

Core concept

Signals recognition and goodwill when people meet, part, or begin an interaction.

Common phrases

  • 挨拶をするai satsu o su ru

    greet

  • 朝の挨拶asa no ai satsu

    morning greeting

  • 別れの挨拶waka re no ai satsu

    farewell greeting

Similar words

会釈eshaku: A slight bow used as a polite greeting or acknowledgment.
お辞儀ojigi: Bending the upper body as a formal sign of respect or greeting.

Definition in Japanese

日常の場で人と関わる際に交わす短い言葉や身ぶり。nichi jō no ba de hito to kaka wa ru sai ni ka wa su mijika i koto ba ya mi bu ri

Word origin

挨拶 (aisatsu) joins 挨 (ai, "push") with 拶 (satsu, "press close"); the term came from a Zen expression for pressing someone with questions before gaining its present sense.

Usage tips

  • A greeting in Japanese can be called 挨拶 (aisatsu) even when it is mainly a bow, which links the word to both speech and visible manners.

Related words

  • 挨拶するaisatsusurugreetverb

Word lists with this word