How do you say "a small nod bow" in Japanese?

Name: You Are Bowing Way Too Much in Japan. This Is the One People Actually Use.
Uploaded: 2026-08-31T10:20:39Z
Duration: 30 s
Description: Learn to say 会釈 (eshaku) — a small nod bow. A 30-second Japanese lesson for travelers from Kōfuku.

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You Are Bowing Way Too Much in Japan. This Is the One People Actually Use.

To say a small nod bow in Japanese, say 会釈 (eshaku).

Nobody's going to tell you this, so I will. You're bowing way too much.

会釈 eshaku a small nod bow

Survival Etiquette #learnjapanese #japantravel #japaneseculture #japantips #japanesephrases

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In this video

会釈。会釈っていいます。 eshaku. eshaku tte iimasu. Eshaku. That's what it's called.
会釈でいいんです。 eshaku de ii n desu. A small nod is all you need.

Kanji in this phrase

会釈: えしゃく

Why this phrase

Tourists deep bow at cashiers, waiters and train doors, because that's the bow they've seen on screen. Almost all everyday bowing is 会釈: a small nod, about fifteen degrees, half a second, eyes down, and you keep moving. Kofuku owns up to overdoing it himself, teaches the word, and shows the angle. Warm correction, no telling off.