1A greeting — a short word or gesture used when meeting or parting from someone (e.g. “hello”, “goodbye”, “good morning”).
毎朝、出社したらまず同僚に挨拶をする。
Every morning, I first greet my coworkers when I arrive at the office.
彼は来るときも帰るときもきちんと挨拶する。
He properly greets people both when he arrives and when he leaves.
メールの冒頭で簡単な挨拶を書いておいた。
I wrote a brief greeting at the start of the email.
子供にはきちんと挨拶するように教えている。
I teach my children to greet people properly.
2A short speech or address given at a ceremony or meeting (e.g. a congratulatory or opening address).
入学式で校長が挨拶をした。
The principal gave an address at the entrance ceremony.
結婚式で友人代表の挨拶を頼まれた。
I was asked to give the friend’s speech at the wedding.
会議の冒頭で部長が簡単な挨拶を述べた。
At the start of the meeting the manager gave a brief address.
3A reply or response — the answer or reaction someone gives to a greeting or remark.
朝、私が挨拶しても返事がなかった。
This morning I greeted them, but there was no response.
彼は恥ずかしそうに小さな挨拶で応えた。
He responded with a small, shy acknowledgment.
お客さんの挨拶に店員が丁寧に挨拶で返した。
The clerk politely replied to the customer's greeting.
4A courtesy visit — an official or ceremonial visit made to pay respects, offer congratulations, condolences, or to introduce oneself.
年始に上司の家へ挨拶に伺った。
I visited my boss’s house at the start of the year to pay my respects.
引っ越したので近所に挨拶に行った。
Since I moved, I went around to greet the neighbors.
結婚の報告に親戚へ挨拶に行った。
I went to inform relatives and offer my greetings about the marriage.
5Colloquial: revenge or retaliation — used figuratively to mean getting even or striking back.
彼にひどいことをされたから、いつか挨拶してやる。
He treated me badly, so I'll get my revenge on him someday.
あの裏切りは挨拶では済まされない。
That betrayal can't be settled with a simple payback.
6A jocular, sarcastic remark used in response to a rude comment — often in the form ご挨拶 to mean “what a greeting” (i.e. an ironically phrased rebuke).
彼の無礼な発言に『ご挨拶ですね』と皮肉を言った。
I answered his rude remark sarcastically, 'Well, that's a greeting.'
7Archaic (Zen): a dialog or exchange used between practitioners to test each other's level of enlightenment (historical/Zen term).
古い禅書には、挨拶によって悟りを問う例が記されている。
Old Zen texts record examples of testing enlightenment through such exchanges.
8Archaic: a relationship or connection between people (historical usage).
古い文献では、挨拶は人間関係の結びつきを意味した。
In old documents, '挨拶' signified the bond or relationship between people.
9Archaic: intervention, mediation, or a mediator — an old usage found in classical texts.
昔の記録には、村の長が挨拶として争いを仲裁したとある。
Old records say the village head mediated disputes as a form of '挨拶'.