How to say "greeting" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 挨拶あいさつnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'greeting' in the sense of words spoken on meeting someone: saying hello or good morning, exchanging pleasantries, or a short salutation. Think of greetings exchanged at school, at work, or with neighbors.
- 迎えむかえnounCovers 'greeting' as the act of meeting or welcoming someone who arrives, such as going to the station or airport to meet a visitor; it refers to the reception itself, not words exchanged.
Use 挨拶 for 'greeting' as words spoken when meeting someone — hello, good morning, a salutation — and 「迎え」 for the act of meeting or welcoming an arriving person, as in going to the airport to meet someone.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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