How to say "hello" in Japanese

• こんにちはJLPT N3approx.Common
  interjectionThe greeting used in person, covering 'hello' as well as 'good day' and 'good afternoon'; the natural choice when meeting someone during the daytime, as with neighbors or colleagues.
  こんにちは、ぼくの名前なまえは斎藤さいとう健けんです。↗

  Hi, my name is Ken Saitou.
• もしもしJLPT N5approx.Common
  interjectionThe hello of the telephone, said when answering a call; it is not a way to greet someone face to face.
  もしもし、後藤ごとうさんのお宅たくですか。↗

  Hello. Is this the Gotos' residence?
• ハローCommon
  interjectionThe English word in katakana form, keeping its foreign flavor; seldom the word you want for an ordinary greeting, it fits when you want the English word itself, as when greeting English speakers.

For a face-to-face greeting use 「こんにちは」, which also covers 'good day' and 'good afternoon'; for the telephone use 「もしもし」; and 「ハロー」 when you deliberately want the English loanword itself, with its foreign flavor.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• こんにちはhello
• もしもしhello (e.g. on phone)
• ハローhello
• はいさいhello
• ニーハオhello
• アンニョンハセヨhello
• アンニョンハシムニカhello
• ちわhello
• はいたいhello
• グーテンタークhello
• いようhey
• やあやあhi
• ちょりーすhi
• こんばんにちはgood day and good evening
• おはこんばんちはgood morning, good day and good evening
• 毎度まいどhello
• はいはいhello
• どうもgreetings
• ほいほいhallo