How do you say "Good morning" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use おはようございます (ohayougozaimasu) as a polite ready-made greeting at work. At work, people often say it at the start of the workday or shift.

Chunk or pattern

• Treat おはようございます as one useful chunk first.
• Do not worry about rebuilding it from grammar every time. The fastest win is to recognize it, say it, and hear the reply that usually comes after it.

Helper words and endings

• Learn the full line first. The small pieces are secondary unless you keep hearing them in other set phrases.
• ます: is a polite verb ending.

Practical note

Keep this line short. In everyday conversations, a short clear phrase usually works better than trying to explain too much.