N5 · Phrase guide
Konbanwa — Evening Hello
こんばんは
こんばんは
Good evening
Nuance
Used after dusk for greetings. Less common in close relationships where conversation starts without a time-specific hello.
Cultural note
Formal events, meeting someone in the evening, or entering a restaurant at night—konbanwa fits.
Examples
こんばんは。
Good evening.
Arriving at an evening party
こんばんは、予約しています。
Good evening, I have a reservation.
Restaurant arrival
Common mistakes
- Using こんにちは at night
- Overusing it with family at home
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