Translation and Meaning of: 今日は - konnichiha
If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you have probably come across the word 今日は[こんにちは]. This expression is one of the first that students memorize, but do you know its origin, correct usage, and cultural curiosities? In this article, we will explore the meaning, writing, and contexts in which this greeting is used in Japan. Additionally, we will see how it differs from other forms of greeting and why it is so essential in everyday Japanese life.
Meaning and translation of 今日は [こんにちは]
The word 今日は[こんにちは] is a common greeting in Japan, equivalent to our "hello" or "good afternoon." Although it is written with the kanji for "today" (今日) and the topic marker (は), its current meaning has no direct relation to the literal translation. Originally, this expression was an abbreviated way of asking "how is your day?" Over time, it became a standard greeting.
It is worth noting that the pronunciation "konnichiwa" is the most commonly used, but some regional dialects may present subtle variations. In Japan, this greeting is mainly used during the day, being replaced by "ohayou gozaimasu" (good morning) in the morning and "konbanwa" (good evening) at night.
Cultural use and social context
In Japan, the way people greet each other reflects important values such as respect and social hierarchy. Unlike some Western cultures, where a simple "hi" can be used casually between friends and strangers, 今日は[こんにちは] carries a slightly more formal tone. It is common to hear it in workplaces, stores, and situations where there is a certain distance between people.
Interestingly, among close friends or family, the Japanese often choose more informal expressions like "yā" or "ossu." This shows how the choice of words is directly related to the level of intimacy between the speakers. If you are visiting Japan, using "konnichiwa" with strangers is always a safe and polite option.
Tips for memorization and curiosities
An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with the time it is used. Since 今日は[こんにちは] is a daytime greeting, imagine someone greeting you under the midday sun. Another tip is to practice writing the kanjis: 今日 (today) + は (topic particle), even though the historical origin is no longer evident in modern usage.
An interesting fact is that, although many foreigners learn "konnichiwa" as their first word in Japanese, the Japanese themselves rarely use it in very informal conversations. This detail shows how rich the Japanese language is in nuances and how context defines the choice of expressions.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 本日は (Honjitsu wa) - Hoje é
- きょうは (Kyō wa) - Hoje é
- 今日は (Kyō wa) - Hoje é
- 今宵は (Koyoi wa) - This night is
- 今日此頃は (Kyō ko goro wa) - Nestes dias
- 今日此の頃は (Kyō kono goro wa) - In today's world
- 今日此のごろは (Kyō kono goro wa) - In today's world
- 今宵此の頃は (Koyoi kono goro wa) - Tonight
- 今宵此の場所は (Koyoi kono basho wa) - In this place tonight
- 今宵此の場所にて (Koyoi kono basho nite) - In this place tonight
Related words
Romaji: konnichiha
Kana: こんにちは
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1
Translation / Meaning: Hello; good morning (daytime identification)
Meaning in English: hello;good day (daytime greeting id)
Definition: From the day. on that day.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (今日は) konnichiha
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (今日は) konnichiha:
Example Sentences - (今日は) konnichiha
See below some example sentences:
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's nice weather today, isn't that it.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- いい - good
- 天気 - time weather
- です - verb to be in the polite form
- ね - confirmation or agreement-seeking particle
Kyou wa tokubai ga arimasu
Today has special promotion.
There is a special sale today.
- 今日 - means "today" in Japanese.
- は - It is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 特売 - it is a Japanese word that means "special sale" or "promotion".
- が - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- あります - is a Japanese verb that means "to exist" or "to have".
Kyou wa kaikai shiki ga arimasu
Today we have the opening ceremony.
There is an opening ceremony today.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 開会式 (kaikaishiki) - opening ceremony
- が (ga) - subject particle
- あります (arimasu) - yeah, there is
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's nice weather today, isn't that it.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- いい (ii) - good
- 天気 (tenki) - time weather
- です (desu) - Verb to be
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's good weather today.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 良い (yoi) - good
- 天気 (tenki) - time weather
- です (desu) - verb to be (educated)
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle
Kyou wa nan'youbi desu ka?
What day of the week is it today?
What Day is Today?
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 何 (nani) - what
- 曜日 (youbi) - day of the week
- です (desu) - Verb to be
- か (ka) - interrogative particle
Kyou wa kaisei desu
Today is sunny.
It's sunny today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 快晴 - sunny weather
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kyou wa tenki ga areru kamoshiremasen
Today it may be that time becomes stormy.
Time may be difficult today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 天気 - time weather
- が - subject particle
- 荒れる - become agitated/turbulent
- かもしれません - maybe/possibly
Kyou wa ensoku ni ikimasu
Today we go to an excursion.
I'm going to an excursion today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 遠足 - excursion
- に - target particle
- 行きます - Go
Kyou wa kumori desu
Today is cloudy.
It's cloudy today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 曇り - cloudy
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
