In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow can ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates respect and conversely a small nod with the head is casual and informal. If the greeting takes place on tatami floor, people get on their knees to bow.

How do you greet a Japanese person for the first time?

The greeting that the Japanese people use in their own language when meeting somebody for the first time is “hajimemashite.” This translates to either, “Nice to meet you,” in the English language.

How do you say basic greetings in Japanese?

The following are some essential, must-know phrases when communicating with Japanese people.