ご挨拶(あいさつ)

The honorific form of 挨拶(あいさつ), formed by adding the prefix ご. Used in formal, business, and ceremonial contexts. In Japanese business culture, greetings are an important social ritual — visiting clients for seasonal greetings or giving a formal speech at events are standard expectations.

Common collocations

• ご挨拶(あいさつ)を申(もう)し上(あ)げる: to offer one's greetings (very formal)
• ご挨拶(あいさつ)に伺(うかが)う: to visit to pay one's respects
• ご挨拶(あいさつ)回(まわ)り: going around to give greetings (e.g., to neighbors, business contacts)
• 年末年始(ねんまつねんし)のご挨拶(あいさつ): year-end/new year greetings
• 社長(しゃちょう)のご挨拶(あいさつ): the president's address/greeting

Common situations

• 引(ひ)っ越(こ)しのご挨拶(あいさつ): greeting neighbors when moving in
• 結婚式(けっこんしき)のご挨拶(あいさつ): wedding speech
• 退職(たいしょく)のご挨拶(あいさつ): farewell greeting upon leaving a job

Similar words

• 挨拶(あいさつ): greeting — the plain form, used in everyday/casual contexts
• 祝辞(しゅくじ): congratulatory speech — a more specific formal term for celebratory addresses