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Japanese Business Greetings | Phrases & Tips
2024/07/24
Learning Business Japanese can be challenging, especially when it comes to mastering the nuances of greetings in various professional situations.
As a foreign professional, you might wonder which phrases are appropriate for different contexts and how to avoid potential cultural faux pas.
This article will help you navigate Japanese business greetings by covering:
- Essential phrases for greeting colleagues, superiors, and clients
- Common greetings to use cautiously or avoid in business settings
- Proper email etiquette for internal and external communications
- Key points to remember when greeting in person, including bowing and self-introduction
By mastering these aspects of Business Japanese, you’ll be better equipped to make a positive impression and build strong professional relationships in Japanese business environments.
Contents
Business Japanese Greetings for Colleagues and Superiors

Mastering Japanese business greetings is crucial for smooth workplace interactions in Japan.
These phrases demonstrate respect and maintain harmonious relationships with colleagues and superiors.
The Most Versatile Greeting: “お疲れ様です”(Otsukaresamadesu)
“お疲れ様です(Otsukaresama desu)” is the go-to phrase for most workplace situations.
It literally means “You must be tired,” but it’s used to acknowledge someone’s hard work.
This versatile greeting works when meeting or parting with colleagues, regardless of the time of day. For example, you can use it when passing a coworker in the hallway or when leaving the office for the day.
Situation-Specific Greetings
Certain phrases are reserved for specific contexts:
- “おはようございます(Ohayou gozaimasu)” (Good morning): Use this only in the morning, typically until around 10:30 AM.
- “ご苦労様(Gokurousama)”: This phrase is similar to “Otsukaresama desu” but is used by superiors addressing subordinates.
- “申し訳ございません(Moushiwake gozaimasen)” (I’m very sorry): Use this formal apology in business settings when you’ve made a mistake.
Additional situation-specific greetings include these phrases:
- “よろしくお願いします(Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)” (Please treat me favorably): Often used when meeting someone for the first time or when asking for a favor.
- “乾杯(Kanpai)” (Cheers): Used when toasting at company drinking events.
Business Japanese Greetings for Clients and Business Partners

When dealing with clients or business partners, the level of formality increases. These phrases help maintain professional relationships and show proper respect.
The Most Common Greeting: “Osewa ni natte orimasu”
“お世話になっております(Osewa ni natte orimasu)” is the standard greeting when meeting clients or business partners. It roughly translates to “Thank you for your continued support” and acknowledges the ongoing business relationship. This phrase is appropriate for both in-person meetings and online interactions.
Parting Phrase: “Shitsurei itashimasu”
When ending a meeting or conversation with a client, use “失礼いたします(Shitsurei itashimasu)” (Excuse me for leaving). This polite phrase shows respect as you conclude the interaction, whether in person or online.
Situation-Specific Greetings for Clients
Certain phrases are used in specific situations with clients:
- “恐縮です(Kyoushuku desu)” (I’m humbled): Use this when receiving praise or thanks from a client to show modesty.
- “申し訳ございません(Moushiwake gozaimasen)” (I’m very sorry): As with colleagues, use this formal apology when you’ve made a mistake or inconvenienced a client.
- “よろしくお願いいたします(Yoroshiku onegaiitashimasu)”: A more formal version of “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,” used when making requests or at the end of business emails.
Remember, in Japanese business culture, proper use of these greetings is not just about language proficiency but also about showing respect and understanding of social hierarchies. Mastering these phrases will help you navigate the Japanese business world more effectively and build stronger professional relationships.
Common Greeting Phrases in Business Emails

Mastering email etiquette is crucial in Japanese business communication. Here are some key phrases to use in various email situations:
Internal Emails: “Otsukaresamadesu”
For emails within your company, use “お疲れ様です(Otsukaresamadesu)”. This phrase acknowledges the ongoing professional relationship and is suitable for most internal communications.
External Emails: “Osewa ni natte orimasu”
When writing to clients or business partners outside your company, “お世話になっております(Osewa ni natte orimasu)” is appropriate. This slightly more formal version works well for external communications.
First-time Correspondence: “Hajimemashite”
When emailing someone for the first time, you can start with “初めまして(Hajimemashite)”. This is equivalent to “Nice to meet you” and sets a polite tone for new business relationships.
After a Long Time: “Gobusata shite orimasu”
If you’re reaching out after a long period of no contact, use “ご無沙汰しております(Gobusata shite orimasu)”. This phrase acknowledges the gap in communication and shows consideration.
Introduce Yourself After the Greeting
After your initial greeting, it’s customary to introduce yourself. For example:
“お世話になっております。[会社名]の[名前]と申します。”
(Osewa ni natte orimasu. [Company name] no [Your name] to moushimasu.)
This structure helps the recipient immediately understand who you are and your affiliation.
Telephone Greetings

Proper telephone etiquette is crucial in Japanese business. Here’s how to handle phone conversations professionally.
Answering the Phone: “Osewa ni natte orimasu”
When answering a business call, use “お世話になっております(Osewa ni natte orimasu)” after stating your company name and your name. This phrase shows respect and acknowledges the business relationship.
Affirmative Responses: “Kashikomarimashita” and “Shouchi itashimashita”
During the call, use appropriate affirmative responses:
- “かしこまりました(Kashikomarimashita)” – I understand/Certainly
- “承知いたしました(Shouchi itashimashita)” – I understand/Acknowledged
These phrases indicate that you’re actively listening and understanding the conversation.
Ending the Call: “Shitsurei itashimasu”
To politely end a business call, use “失礼いたします(Shitsurei itashimasu)” – Excuse me for ending the call. This phrase shows respect as you conclude the conversation.
By mastering these aspects of Business Japanese, including proper phone etiquette, you’ll be better equipped to make a positive impression and build strong professional relationships in Japanese business environments.
Whether you’re communicating in person, via email, or over the phone, understanding these nuances will help you navigate Japanese business culture with confidence.
Key Points When Greeting in Person

Physical greetings in Japanese business culture involve more than just words.
Always Bow
Bowing is an integral part of Japanese greetings. Except for casual situations like toasts (Kanpai), accompanying your verbal greeting with a bow shows respect and understanding of Japanese culture.
The depth and duration of the bow can vary based on the formality of the situation and the status of the person you’re greeting.
Smile While Greeting
Unless you’re apologizing, maintain a pleasant expression when greeting others. A smile, combined with appropriate language and bowing, creates a positive impression.
It conveys warmth and approachability, which are valuable traits in building professional relationships.
Introduce Yourself After Greeting for First Meetings
When meeting someone for the first time, follow your greeting with a self-introduction. For example:
- Bow and say, “はじめまして(Hajimemashite)”
- Then introduce yourself: “[会社名]の[名前]と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。”
([Company name] no [Your name] to moushimasu. Yoroshiku onegaiitashimasu.)
This sequence – greeting, self-introduction, and a request for favorable relations – is the standard format for first-time business introductions in Japan.
Remember, in Japanese business culture, the combination of appropriate language, proper bowing, and a pleasant demeanor all contribute to creating a positive professional image.
We offer online Business Japanese courses. If you’re struggling with any aspects of Japanese business communication, please feel free to contact us for more information.