{"id":2193,"date":"2025-07-30T11:44:55","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T15:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iiicareer.com\/eng\/?p=2193"},"modified":"2025-07-30T10:59:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T14:59:21","slug":"5-essential-japanese-business-phrases-you-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iiicareer.com\/eng\/2025\/07\/30\/5-essential-japanese-business-phrases-you-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Essential Japanese Business Phrases You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you’re working in Japan or communicating with Japanese clients abroad, mastering a few key business expressions can make a big difference. These phrases help you navigate daily communication smoothly and show respect in professional settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are you interested in Keigo and Japanese business manners? You can take the quiz here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

1. \u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059 (Otsukaresama desu)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> \u201cThank you for your hard work\u201d \/ \u201cHello\u201d (in workplace context)
Use it when:<\/strong>
\u30fb<\/strong>Greeting colleagues during the day
\u30fb<\/strong>Ending a meeting
\u30fb<\/strong>Signing off an email internally<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistake:<\/strong> Confusing it with \u3054\u82e6\u52b4\u69d8\u3067\u3059 (Gokurousama desu), which is used only<\/em> by superiors and may sound condescending if used incorrectly. \u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059 is safe and neutral for peer-to-peer communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus:<\/strong> At the end of the day, use the past tense: \u304a\u75b2\u308c\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f (Otsukaresama deshita).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3059 \/ \u304a\u5148\u306b\u5931\u793c\u3057\u307e\u3059 (Shitsurei shimasu \/ Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> \u201cExcuse me\u201d \/ \u201cPardon me for leaving first\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use it when:<\/strong>
\u30fb<\/strong>Entering or leaving a room politely
\u30fb<\/strong>Leaving the office before others<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistake:<\/strong> Using \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 (Sumimasen) in formal contexts. While it’s acceptable in casual settings, \u5931\u79c1\u3057\u307e\u3059 sounds more professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus:<\/strong> For even more politeness, use \u5931\u79c1\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059 (Shitsurei itashimasu), especially in formal emails or when speaking with clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u304a\u4e16\u8a71\u306b\u306a\u3063\u3066\u304a\u308a\u307e\u3059 (Osewa ni natte orimasu)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> \u201cThank you for your continued support\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use it when:<\/strong>
\u30fb<\/strong>Opening a business email to clients or external partners
\u30fb<\/strong>Greeting someone you have a professional relationship with<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistake:<\/strong> Skipping a greeting or using “Hello” directly. In Japanese business etiquette, this phrase is almost always expected in client-facing communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus: <\/strong>\u00a0For internal emails, it\u2019s more common to start with \u304a\u75b2\u308c\u69d8\u3067\u3059 instead.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Mmoka . on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

4. \u627f\u77e5\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f (Shouchi itashimashita)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> \u201cUnderstood\u201d \/ \u201cAcknowledged\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use it when:<\/strong>
\u30fb<\/strong>Responding to instructions or requests from a superior or client<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistake:<\/strong> Using \u308f\u304b\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f (Wakarimashita) or \u4e86\u89e3\u3067\u3059 (Ryoukai desu), which are more casual and less appropriate in formal settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus:<\/strong> Similar formal alternatives include \u304b\u3057\u3053\u307e\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f (Kashikomarimashita) and \u627f\u77e5\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f (Shouchi shimashita).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. \u6050\u308c\u5165\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304c\u2026 (Osoreirimasu ga\u2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> \u201cPardon me, but\u2026\u201d \/ \u201cI humbly ask\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use it when:<\/strong>
\u30fb<\/strong>Making a polite request
\u30fb<\/strong>Asking for someone\u2019s time or attention<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistake:<\/strong> Being too direct. This phrase softens your tone and shows respect, which is key in Japanese professional communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example:<\/strong>
\u6050\u308c\u5165\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304c\u3001\u3054\u78ba\u8a8d\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\u3002
(Osoreirimasu ga, go-kakunin itadakemasu deshou ka?)
\u201cPardon me, but may I ask you to confirm this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Lucas Calloch on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Pro Tips for Learning Business Japanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n