Knowing how to formally express yourself and observe proper etiquette is important for anyone conducting business in a foreign country. This helps to open avenues to more effective communications.
This is very important, especially when planning for a business trip or travelling to Japan for leisure, where cultural elements like knowledge of Japanese expressions may play a huge part in decision-making and eventually in the success of a business relationship.
While you don’t have to become a walking dictionary of formal Japanese terms to taste business success in Japan, the majority of the Japanese population actually adore foreigners who go that extra mile to learn a few formal Japanese greetings and phrases.
If you are studying the Japanese language, learning these phrases will give you a good foundation for polite conversation. Mastering these phrases can be the difference between looking like a clueless tourist and someone who has made an effort to integrate into Japanese society. With that said, let’s learn Japanese terms for greetings, introductions and everyday conversation!
Greetings
In every country, there are set greetings that are used in specific situations. When you meet someone for the first time, you usually say “hello” or “good morning”. Like for a person who can speak English, these phrases can be used to greet people you know well or those you don’t know at all – these are versatile phrases to know. For the people who can speak the Japanese language, these same greetings can be translated into 何時ですか (nani-ji desuka?) and こんにちは (kon-ni-chi-wa), respectively.
Here are some of the common greetings you will hear in Japan:
Good morning/afternoon/evening
Japanese people are taught how to greet people in the morning, afternoon and evening. This way, they are showing respect to the other person no matter what time of day it is. Many elderly native speakers will appreciate it if you know how to greet them in their language.
The formal greeting for the term good morning is お早うございま す (ohayou gozaimasu), which is literally translated as “Good morning”. The appropriate response to this would be “おはようございま す” (ohayou gozaimasu), which means “Good morning to you, too”. The Japanese phrase for the afternoon is こんにちは (kon-ni-chi-wa), which is translated as “Hello”. You can use this as a response when someone greets you first during the afternoon. And lastly, the evening greeting is こんばんは (kon-ban-wa), which is translated as “Good evening”.
Thank you
When you want to say “thank you” in the Japanese language, you can use どうもありがとうございま す (doumo arigatou gozaimasu), which is translated as “Thank you very much”. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu should be one of the first phrases you should learn if you want to know how to speak good or well in the Japanese language.
You can also shorten this Japanese phrase to just ありがとう (arigatou), which is the most commonly used and casual way to say thank you. If you want to show you gratitude and thank someone for doing something small, like opening a door for you, then you can simply use くれてありがとう (kurete arigatou), which means “Thank you for giving me” or “Thank you for doing that”.
Yes/No
If you were to be asked a question in the Japanese language by a native Japanese speaker, you could reply with either はい (hai) or いいえ (iie). Hai is the equivalent of “yes” in English, whereas いいえ is the equivalent of “no”. Hai is the more polite way for the phrase yes, while iie is the more formal and blunt method for the phrase no. You will usually hear people use hai when they are responding to someone in a business or professional setting.
Excuse Me
When you have to pass by a group of people in a tight space, or if you need to get their attention, you can use すみません (sumimasen) which is translated as “Excuse me”. Sumimasen can also be a general term for asking for forgiveness.
You can also use お願いしま す (onegai shima su), which is the more polite method of pronouncing “Excuse me”. Onegai shimasu is often said when asking a friend to do something for you.
I’m Sorry
If you need to apologize for something you did, you can use わかりませんでした (wakarimasen deshita) which is translated as “I’m sorry I didn’t understand”. Wakarimasen deshita is the most polite method to show that you are sorry, and it’s often utilised when a person who can only speak the Japanese language doesn’t understand what you’re trying to say.
If you need to apologize for something you did, you can also use the phrase ごめんなさい (gomen nasai), which is more casual and less formal than wakarimasen deshita. Gomen nasai is the most common term for “I’m sorry” in the Japanese language which most native Japanese speakers use.
Introducing Yourself
Meeting people, like a native Japanese person, for the first or even the second time can be nerve-wracking, but thankfully, there are a few basic Japanese phrases you can use to help break the ice. You can start by asking the name of the other person by saying 名前は何？ (Namae wa nani?), which is translated as “What is your name?”. Let’s expand these phrases further.
My name is…
When you are asked for your name, you should respond respectfully. For instance, your name is Michael. The Japanese phrase アナタはマイケルと言いま すか (Anata wa Maikeru to iimasu ka) would be the most polite method for “My name is Michael”.
What’s your name?
Now, if you are to ask a person’s name, you can say 名前は何？ (Namae wa nani?), which is translated as “What is your name?”. This Japanese phrase is a more polite method of asking a person their name than just using phrases such as 何ですか (nandesuka), which means “What is it?” or “What’s up?”. Just be careful not to use this Japanese phrase in a formal setting, as it may come across as being impolite.
At Work
If you have any plans to work or currently working in Japan, there are a few phrases you must know. Here are some basic and useful phrases to help get you started:
Good work
If you want to praise a coworker for their work, you can use the phrase ご苦労様です (gokurou-sama desu), which is translated as “Thank you for your hard work”. Gokurou-sama desu is a polite method to show that they did a good job.
People use these phrases to boost morale, especially during tough times. You can also use the term すごい (sugoi), which is translated as “Great” or “Wonderful”. This is a great practice, especially if you work in an environment where you have to grind at work and show outputs.
Nice to meet you
If you’re meeting someone for the first time, you can also use the term 初めまして (Hajimemashite) which translates to “it’s nice to meet you”. Another polite expression is ‘O-me ni kakarete ureshi desu’, which is the equivalent of ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you.’ Use these phrases to portray respect for the person you’re meeting.
Learning this simple Japanese phrase in a Japanese course in Singapore will surely help you create a good impression on your Japanese business partners or clients.
Wait a minute
If you have to ask a colleague to wait a minute, you can say 一秒待ってください (Ichibyou matte kudasai), which is translated as “Please wait a second”. Ichibyou matte kudasai is the most polite term to ask a person to wait. You can also try ちょっと待って (Chotto matte), which is more casual and less polite than ichibyou matte kudasai. Chotto matte translates “Wait a minute”.
People use this Japanese phrase if they need more time to prepare or if they need to talk to someone else about the situation.
I understand
When given a task or some instructions, you can respond with はい、分かりました (Hai, wakarimashita) which is translated as “Yes, I understand”. Hai, wakarimashita is the most polite way to say “I understand”. You can also try そうですね (Sou desune), which is more casual and less polite than hai, wakarimashita. Sou desune translates to “I see” or “I get it”.
This Japanese phrase shows that you’re paying attention and that you understand what’s going on.
I will be counting or depending on you.
People may also say these phrases when they need someone to do something for them. In the Japanese language, the phrase is お願いしま す (Onegai Shimasu). This phrase is translated as “Please” or “I’m counting on you”. Onegai Shimasu is a very useful way to ask a colleague to do something for you.
You can also use this phrase when asking for a favour. Just be sure to use the most polite form of onegai shimasu when asking for a favour.
While these Japanese terms are commonly used in the workplace, they are also useful in other settings, such as when meeting someone for the first time or asking a person who can only speak Japanese for directions. Just be sure to use the most polite form of each Japanese phrase when necessary.
Asking for Directions
When you plan for a trip to another country, one of the first things you will do is learn the basic Japanese phrases commonly used in the country. One of these basic Japanese phrases is for asking for directions.
If you are having a conversation with a person who can speak the Japanese language, you can respond with どこですか (Doko desuka), which is translated as “Where is it?”. “Doko desuka” is the most polite way to ask for directions. You can also try 今どこにありま すか？ (Ima doko ni arimasu ka?) Which translates to “Where is it right now?”.
But of course, before you ask for directions from a stranger, you must first ask if it’s alright to ask them a question. Let’s learn about these Japanese terms to get a more in-depth understanding of their usage.
May I ask you a question?
For an English speaker who wants to ask a Japanese person for permission before asking for a direction in their language, you can ask them with 質問してもいいですか？(Shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka?) which is translated as “Can I ask a question?” “Shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka?” is the most polite way to ask a person who can only speak Japanese if it’s okay to ask them a question.
Japanese people are known to be polite, so it’s always best to ask before asking for something. Most of the time, they will agree to let you ask them a question.
Where is …?
When one plans a trip to a foreign country, there is a high chance that they will list down famous places that they can visit while they are there. For an English speaker who wants to ask a person who can only speak Japanese for directions to a place, they can say どこにありま すか (Doko ni arimasu ka?) which is translated as “Where is it?” This Japanese phrase is the most polite way to ask for directions.
An example of this is to ask a Japanese person where the nearest convenience store is. You can utilise the term, 最寄りのコンビニはどこですか(Moyori no konbini wa doko desu ka?) which is translated as “Where is the nearest convenience store?”
Where is this?/Where am I?
If you ever get lost, or you might have gone in a wrong direction, you can ask a person who can speak Japanese where you are by using ここはどこですか (Koko wa doko desu ka?) which is translated as “Where is this?” or you can also respond with これ は 何ですか ( kore wa nan desu ka ) which has the same meaning. The term “Koko wa doko desu ka?” or “kore wa nan desu ka” can be used in other situations, such as asking where the washroom is. Another way to ask where you are is by using the phrase ここがどこですか (Koko ga doko desu ka?) which is translated as “Where am I?” “Koko wa doko desu ka?” is just more commonly used.
It’s normal for a tourist to get lost, so don’t be shy and just ask where you are. Japanese natives will be more than happy to help you out.
I can’t speak Japanese.
For an English speaker who wants to tell a person who can only speak Japanese that they can’t speak Japanese, they can respond with 日本語が話せません (Nihongo ga hanasemasen), which is translated as “I can’t speak Japanese.” Nihongo ga hanasemasen. This phrase is useful when you’re lost and don’t know how to ask for help because all the signs are Japanese.
Can you please say that again?
For an English speaker who is only a beginner at Japanese, there is a high chance that they will not understand what the person is stating. In this case, you can respond with 聞き取りが難しいです (Kikitori ga muzukashīdesu) which is translated as “It’s difficult to catch what you are saying.”
If you want them to repeat what they said, you can respond with もう一度言っていただけま すか？ (Mōichido itte itadakemasu ka?) which is translated as “can you, please say that again?” This Japanese phrase is very polite and shows that you are making an effort to understand what the person is trying to discuss.
Conclusion
The Japanese language is a very interesting language with a rich culture behind it. Learning the basic Japanese phrases will help you get by while you’re in Japan. We’ve covered some of the basic Japanese phrases that you will need when travelling to Japan in this article. Just remember the phrases to use should be the most polite form of each Japanese phrase when necessary. And, you should be good to go! Also, always ask for permission before asking for something.
