The Ultimate Guide to Japanese for Work: Phrases, Vocabulary, and Workplace Tips

Key takeaways:

• Keigo (敬語) is necessary for Japanese business communication, with three levels: respectful, humble, and polite forms
• Learn basic workplace phrases before complex grammar to build confidence quickly
• Understanding Japanese workplace culture matters as much as language fluency for professional success
• Regular practice with native Japanese tutors helps you learn business Japanese faster than textbooks alone

Learning Japanese for work opens doors to career opportunities across Japan’s thriving economy. Preparing for a job interview in Tokyo, communicating with Japanese clients, or relocating for a position in Osaka requires more than basic language skills. The Japanese language used in professional settings follows strict formality rules that don’t exist in casual conversation, making business-specific expressions and etiquette necessary to study.

This guide walks you through practical phrases, vocabulary, and cultural insights you need to communicate professionally in Japanese workplaces. You’ll learn the fundamentals of keigo (polite language), understand when to use different speech levels, and learn how to avoid common mistakes that trip up even advanced Japanese language learners.

Working with an experienced Japanese tutor who understands business contexts speeds up your progress significantly, providing real-world practice that textbooks miss.

Why does Business Japanese differ from casual Japanese?

Japanese business language differs fundamentally from casual speech because it reflects the hierarchical structure of Japanese society and workplace relationships. In professional settings, you must constantly adjust your language based on the listener’s position, age, and relationship to you, using different verb forms and vocabulary to show appropriate respect.

While studying Japanese for daily life, you might use the plain dictionary form of verbs like 行く (iku, “to go”) or 食べる (taberu, “to eat”). At work, these become 行きます (ikimasu) or 参ります (mairimasu) depending on context, and 食べます (tabemasu) or いただきます (itadakimasu) when showing humility. This constant adjustment requires understanding grammar rules and the social distance between speakers.

Protip: Take the verb 行く (“to go”) from the example above. The single sentence “I’ll go to the meeting” has multiple variations: 会議に行く (kaigi ni iku), 会議に行きます (kaigi ni ikimasu), or 会議に参ります (kaigi ni mairimasu), each appropriate for different situations.

Japanese workplace culture emphasizes harmony and clear hierarchies. Your language choices signal your understanding of these unwritten rules. Speaking too casually to a superior damages professional relationships, while being overly formal with close colleagues might create unnecessary distance. This balance makes business Japanese particularly challenging for foreigners who come from more egalitarian workplace cultures.

Japanese people appreciate when foreigners make an effort to use proper workplace language, even with mistakes. Focus on learning core polite forms first, then gradually add respectful and humble variations as you gain experience.

What is keigo and why does it matter for Japanese professionals?

Keigo (敬語) is the system of honorific language in Japanese that expresses respect, humility, and politeness through specific word choices and grammatical structures. Using appropriate keigo demonstrates professional competence and cultural awareness in Japanese business settings, directly impacting how colleagues and clients perceive your credibility.

The Japanese language has three main levels of keigo that serve different functions:

1. Respectful form (尊敬語, Sonkeigo)

This form elevates the actions of the person you’re speaking to or about. You use sonkeigo when describing what your boss, client, or anyone in a higher position does.

Plain Form	Respectful Form	Meaning
する (suru)	なさる (nasaru) / される (sareru)	to do
言う (iu)	おっしゃる (ossharu)	to say
来る (kuru)	いらっしゃる (irassharu)	to come
見る (miru)	ご覧になる (goran ni naru)	to see
食べる (taberu)	召し上がる (meshiagaru)	to eat
知る (shiru)	ご存知 (gozonji)	to know

Example in context:

• Plain: 部長は資料を見ました (The manager saw the documents)
• Respectful: 部長は資料をご覧になりました (The manager saw the documents – showing respect)

2. Humble form (謙譲語, Kenjōgo)

This form lowers your own actions or your in-group’s actions when speaking to someone of higher status. By humbling yourself, you indirectly show respect to the listener.

Plain Form	Humble Form	Meaning
する (suru)	いたす (itasu)	to do
言う (iu)	申す (mōsu) / 申し上げる (mōshiageru)	to say
行く (iku) / 来る (kuru)	参る (mairu)	to go/come
聞く (kiku)	伺う (ukagau) / 拝聴する (haichō suru)	to hear/ask
見る (miru)	拝見する (haiken suru)	to see
食べる (taberu)	いただく (itadaku)	to eat
知る (shiru)	存じる (zonjiru)	to know

Example in context:

• Plain: 私は明日会社に行きます (I will go to the company tomorrow)
• Humble: 私は明日会社に参ります (I will go to the company tomorrow – showing humility)

3. Polite form (丁寧語, Teineigo)

This is the basic polite level that adds です (desu) and ます (masu) endings to sentences. You use this as the foundation for all workplace communication, even with colleagues at similar levels.

Plain Form	Polite Form	Extra Polite
だ (da)	です (desu)	でございます (de gozaimasu)
ある (aru)	あります (arimasu)	ございます (gozaimasu)
行く (iku)	行きます (ikimasu)	–
見る (miru)	見ます (mimasu)	–

Example:

• Plain: これは私の資料だ (This is my document)
• Polite: これは私の資料です (This is my document)
• Extra polite: こちらは私の資料でございます (This is my document)

Understanding when to use each level requires awareness of the relationship dynamics. Generally, use respectful forms for superiors’ actions, humble forms for your own actions when addressing superiors, and polite forms as the baseline for professional conversation.

Essential Japanese for work phrases

Learning a core set of Japanese for workplace phrases gives you the confidence to handle daily interactions while you continue building broader language skills. These expressions cover the most common situations in Japanese business environments.

Greetings and basic courtesies

Situation	Japanese	Romaji	English
Morning greeting	おはようございます	Ohayō gozaimasu	Good morning
All-day greeting	お疲れ様です	Otsukaresama desu	Thank you for your hard work
Entering a room	失礼します	Shitsurei shimasu	Excuse me
Leaving before others	お先に失礼します	Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu	Excuse me for leaving first
End of day	お疲れ様でした	Otsukaresama deshita	Good work today

ProTip: Japanese workers say お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) dozens of times per day. It works for passing colleagues in hallways, starting conversations, or acknowledging someone’s presence.

Phone and email expressions

Purpose	Japanese	Romaji
Answering calls	お電話ありがとうございます	O-denwa arigatō gozaimasu
Business greeting	いつもお世話になっております	Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu
Email opening	お世話になっております	Osewa ni natte orimasu
Regarding…	〜の件でご連絡いたしました	~ no ken de go-renraku itashimashita
Standard closing	何卒よろしくお願いいたします	Nanitozo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
Quick message closing	取り急ぎご連絡まで	Toriisogi go-renraku made

Requests and responses

Type	Japanese	Romaji	Usage
Polite request	〜していただけますか	~ shite itadakemasu ka	Could you please…?
Very polite request	〜をお願いできますでしょうか	~ wo onegai dekimasu deshō ka	Would it be possible…?
Apology before request	恐れ入りますが	Osore irimasu ga	I’m sorry to trouble you
Formal acceptance	かしこまりました	Kashikomarimashita	Certainly
Standard acceptance	承知いたしました	Shōchi itashimashita	Understood
Immediate action	すぐに対応いたします	Sugu ni taiō itashimasu	I’ll handle it right away
Polite decline	申し訳ございませんが	Mōshiwake gozaimasen ga	I’m terribly sorry, but…

Meeting language

Phase	Japanese	Romaji
Starting meeting	それでは始めさせていただきます	Soredewa hajime sasete itadakimasu
Thank you for gathering	本日はお集まりいただきありがとうございます	Honjitsu wa o-atsumari itadaki arigatō gozaimasu
Please share opinions	ご意見をお聞かせください	Go-iken wo okikase kudasai
Request time	少々お時間をいただけますか	Shōshō o-jikan wo itadakemasu ka
I have a question	質問があるのですが	Shitsumon ga aru no desu ga
Thank you for today	本日はありがとうございました	Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita

These phrases form the backbone of daily workplace interactions. Practice them until they become automatic for handling most common situations with confidence.

How to build workplace-specific Japanese vocabulary

Building business vocabulary requires focusing on high-frequency words within your specific industry while learning common verbs that appear across all professional contexts. Start with the most frequently used expressions in your field, then expand to general business terminology.

Key business verbs

These common verbs appear constantly in workplace conversations. Learn both their dictionary form and keigo variations:

Dictionary Form	Meaning	Polite Form	Humble Form	Respectful Form
行く (iku)	to go	行きます (ikimasu)	参ります (mairimasu)	いらっしゃいます (irasshaimasu)
来る (kuru)	to come	来ます (kimasu)	参ります (mairimasu)	いらっしゃいます (irasshaimasu)
する (suru)	to do	します (shimasu)	いたします (itashimasu)	なさいます (nasaimasu)
見る (miru)	to see	見ます (mimasu)	拝見します (haiken shimasu)	ご覧になります (goran ni narimasu)
言う (iu)	to say	言います (iimasu)	申します (mōshimasu)	おっしゃいます (osshaimasu)
聞く (kiku)	to hear/ask	聞きます (kikimasu)	伺います (ukagaimasu)	お聞きになります (o-kiki ni narimasu)
食べる (taberu)	to eat	食べます (tabemasu)	いただきます (itadakimasu)	召し上がります (meshiagarimasu)
知る (shiru)	to know	知っています (shitte imasu)	存じております (zonjite orimasu)	ご存知です (gozonji desu)

The verb to work in Japanese: 働く (hataraku) is the main verb meaning “to work.” In business settings, you’ll typically say 働いています (hataraite imasu) for “I work” or 勤めています (tsutomete imasu) meaning “I’m employed at.” When describing your company, use 勤務しております (kinmu shite orimasu) for a humble, professional tone.

Industry-specific vocabulary

Different professions require different vocabulary priorities. Here’s how to approach learning for common fields:

Industry	Core Terms	Japanese	Romaji
IT & Tech	System	システム	shisutemu
	Development	開発	kaihatsu
	Project	プロジェクト	purojekuto
	Specifications	仕様書	shiyōsho
	Deadline	納期	nōki
Sales & Marketing	Sales	営業	eigyō
	Customer/Client	顧客	kokyaku
	Proposal	提案	teian
	Contract	契約	keiyaku
	Sales revenue	売上	uriage
Finance	Accounting	会計	kaikei
	Budget	予算	yosan
	Expenses	経費	keihi
	Settlement	決算	kessan
	Profit	利益	rieki

Rather than memorizing random business words, create a personal vocabulary list from actual documents, emails, and meetings you encounter. This contextual learning helps you remember words and understand their proper usage.

Common office vocabulary

Category	Term	Japanese	Romaji
Titles	Company president	社長	shachō
	Department manager	部長	buchō
	Section chief	課長	kachō
	Senior colleague	先輩	senpai
	Junior colleague	後輩	kōhai
Office items	Meeting room	会議室	kaigishitsu
	Materials/Documents	資料	shiryō
	Paperwork	書類	shorui
	Business card	名刺	meishi
	Tea	お茶	o-cha
Time	Business hours	営業時間	eigyō jikan
	Deadline	締め切り	shimekiri
	Overtime work	残業	zangyō
	Break	休憩	kyūkei
	Year-end period	年末年始	nenmatsu nenshi

The honorific prefixes お (o-) and ご (go-) appear frequently with workplace vocabulary. You’ll hear お茶 (o-cha) rather than just 茶 (cha), and ご意見 (go-iken) instead of 意見 (iken). These small additions make your Japanese speech more polite and natural.

Consistent practice with these vocabulary categories builds a strong foundation. Working with teachers specializing in Japanese for work helps you learn which words are appropriate for different situations and relationships.

Common mistakes people make with Japanese for work

Foreigners most commonly struggle with choosing the appropriate keigo level for different workplace relationships, often using polite style when they should use humble forms or vice versa. This confusion stems from not understanding whose action is being described, the speaker’s, the listener’s, or a third party’s.

1. Mixing casual and business language

Error Type	Wrong	Correct	Why
Using humble for others	部長は明日参ります	部長は明日いらっしゃいます	参る is humble; use respectful いらっしゃる for your boss
Using respectful for yourself	私は資料をご覧になりました	私は資料を拝見いたしました	ご覧になる elevates you; use humble 拝見する instead

2. Incorrect honorific prefix usage

Always Use Prefix	Never Use Prefix
お名前 (o-namae) – name	私 (watashi) – I/me
ご住所 (go-jūsho) – address	あなた (anata) – you
お電話 (o-denwa) – telephone	パソコン (pasokon) – computer
ご意見 (go-iken) – opinion	レポート (repōto) – report

Generally, use お (o-) with words of Japanese origin and ご (go-) with words of Chinese origin (kanji compounds). Many exceptions exist, making this an area where exposure to natural Japanese speech helps more than memorizing rules.

3. Incorrect pronoun usage

Context	Use	Avoid
Formal “I”	私 (watashi)	俺 (ore), 僕 (boku)
Humble “we”	私ども (watakushidomo)	–
Addressing people	[Name]さん or title	あなた (anata)

Japanese people typically address others by name plus さん (san) or by title (部長、課長) rather than using “you.” Saying 田中さんはどう思われますか (Tanaka-san wa dō omowaremasu ka, “What do you think, Tanaka-san?”) sounds more natural than using あなた.

4. Mixing casual and business language

Common mixing error:

• “田中さん、資料見た?” (Tanaka-san, shiryō mita?) – using polite さん but casual verb form
• Better: “田中さん、資料をご覧になりましたか?” (Tanaka-san, shiryō wo goran ni narimashita ka?)

This mistake happens when Japanese language learners know business vocabulary but haven’t internalized that every verb needs appropriate conjugation. Even simple words like 見る (miru, “to see”) need careful attention in workplace contexts.

How to practice Japanese for work

The best way to learn Japanese for work is through regular conversation practice with native Japanese business teachers who correct your keigo usage in real time and explain the nuances behind different expressions. Textbooks teach grammar patterns, but workplace language requires understanding context and relationship dynamics that only emerge through practice.

1. Structured learning with native Japanese tutors

Working with experienced tutors provides immediate feedback on subtle mistakes that written exercises miss. A good Japanese teacher notices when you use respectful language where humble language belongs, or when your tone doesn’t match the situation.

italki connect you with over 1000Japanese teachers who specialize in different aspects of the language. Many tutors have professional experience in Japanese companies and share real workplace scenarios during lessons. This practical approach beats studying from teaching materials alone because you learn how Japanese people talk at work, not just textbook examples.

What to practice in tutoring sessions:

• Role-playing common workplace scenarios (meetings, phone calls, client interactions)
• Reviewing actual emails or documents you need for work
• Discussing industry-specific vocabulary relevant to your field
• Getting corrections on subtle keigo mistakes you make repeatedly
• Understanding cultural context behind different expressions

Book a trial lesson today

2. Immersion through real workplace materials

Material Type	How to Use
Business emails	Note common opening/closing phrases, request patterns
Company announcements	Study formal writing style, internal communication norms
Industry publications	Build field-specific vocabulary, professional writing patterns
Business podcasts	Train ear for natural keigo usage, conversational flow
LinkedIn posts	Observe how professionals discuss work topics

Read these materials actively, noting phrases you don’t understand and researching their components. When you see 〜させていただく (sasete itadaku) appearing frequently, investigate why this humble expression is so common in business writing. Understanding patterns through real examples makes them stick better than memorizing isolated grammar points.

For a comprehensive overview of different Japanese learning resources, explore various options that complement your business Japanese study.

3. Structuring your practice by level

Level	Focus Areas	Activities
Beginner	Polite style (です/ます)	Memorize set phrases, use scripts for calls
	Common workplace greetings	Practice introductions, basic requests
Intermediate	Humble and respectful forms	Handle unpredictable conversations
	Email writing	Draft messages with proper formality
Advanced	Natural formality switching	Navigate complex diplomatic situations
	Regional variations	Understand industry-specific expressions

Start with scripts and gradually move toward spontaneous conversation as your confidence builds.

Each level requires different practice approaches. Don’t rush to advanced topics if your foundation in polite style isn’t solid. Japanese business language has various levels of formality, and you’ll have better results building them progressively.

4. Daily study routine (30-45 minutes)

Time	Activity	Purpose
10 min	Review vocabulary flashcards	Reinforce previous learning
15 min	Read business email or article	Exposure to authentic materials
15-20 min	Speaking practice	Conversation exchange or tutoring
5 min	Write one paragraph	Apply new vocabulary and grammar

Focus practice sessions around situations you’ll face. Preparing for a job interview next month means dedicating more time to self-introduction phrases and discussing your experience. Planning to write client emails means spending extra time on business writing conventions.

5. Language exchange and community

Language exchange partners provide free conversation practice, though they typically don’t offer the structured feedback that professional tutors provide.

Making language exchange work:

• Find partners who work in professional settings
• Set clear goals for each session (practice phone conversations, review presentation slides)
• Ask specific questions about word choices and formality levels
• Record sessions to review your mistakes later

Combining language exchange for casual practice with Business Japanese lessons for structured learning creates balance. The free conversation helps you build fluency, while guided instruction builds correct habits. If you’re exploring where to learn Japanese and comparing different options, consider mixing several approaches for comprehensive skill development.

Over 5 million learners have used italki’s platform because it offers flexibility that traditional classroom settings miss. You schedule lessons around your work schedule, focus on exactly the skills you need, and progress at your own pace. This personalized approach works well for professionals who need specific business Japanese skills rather than general language study.

Understanding Japanese workplace culture alongside language

Language proficiency alone won’t make you function well in Japanese business settings without understanding the cultural context that shapes workplace communication. Japanese culture emphasizes group harmony, respect for hierarchy, and indirect communication styles that differ significantly from Western business norms.

Hierarchy and relationships in Japanese companies

Japanese organizations operate on clear hierarchical structures where seniority and position determine communication patterns. Your language choices must reflect these relationships.

R/ship Type	Japanese	Meaning	Impact on Language
Senior/Junior	先輩・後輩 (Senpai/Kōhai)	Based on join date	Use respectful language to seniors
Superior/Subordinate	上司・部下 (Jōshi/Buka)	Organizational position	Adjust keigo level accordingly
In-group/Out-group	内・外 (Uchi/Soto)	Company boundaries	Humble language for in-group to outsiders

When representing your company to outsiders, you use humble language for your own company’s actions (including your boss’s) and respectful language for the client’s company, regardless of actual positions. This uchi/soto (in-group/out-group) dynamic confuses beginners who expect to always elevate their boss.

Example: When telling a client what your manager said:

• ❌ Don’t say: 部長がおっしゃっていました (Buchō ga osshatte imashita) – “My manager said…” Using respectful language for your own boss
• ✅ Say: 部長が申しておりました (Buchō ga mōshite orimashita) – “My manager said…”
  Using humble language because you’re speaking to an outsider

Your manager becomes part of your in-group when speaking to outsiders, so you humble their actions to elevate the client.

Reading between the lines in Japanese communication

Phrase	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
検討させていただきます	I’ll consider it	This is unlikely to happen
前向きに考えます	I’ll think positively	I’m interested but need internal discussion
難しいかもしれません	It might be difficult	This won’t work
ちょっと…	A little…	Polite refusal

Japanese people value harmony (和, wa) and avoid direct confrontation. A soft “no” maintains the relationship better than a harsh rejection. Foreign professionals often miss these signals, taking polite deflections as genuine interest.

Protip: Pay attention to hesitation words like ちょっと (chotto, “a little”) and そうですね (sō desu ne, “well…”). When someone says “ちょっと難しいですね” (chotto muzukashii desu ne), they’re politely declining, not asking for solutions to overcome difficulty.

Business card exchange protocol

Step	Action	Cultural Significance
1	Present with both hands, text facing recipient	Shows respect through physical gesture
2	Say よろしくお願いします	Establishes relationship
3	Receive with both hands	Acknowledges the person’s importance
4	Read carefully	Shows genuine interest
5	Place on table during meeting	Keeps hierarchy visible
6	Store respectfully in card case	Final show of respect

Never write on someone’s business card in front of them, fold it, or put it in your back pocket. These actions show disrespect to the person.

Meeting behavior follows structured patterns. Arrive 5-10 minutes early, wait to be seated (with the highest-ranking person furthest from the door), and let senior people speak first unless asked for your opinion.

Gift-giving in business

Occasion	Japanese	When
After trips	お土産 (omiyage)	Return from business travel
Year-end	お歳暮 (oseibo)	December, for important clients
Mid-year	お中元 (ochūgen)	July, for important clients
First visit	手土産 (temiyage)	Visiting someone’s office

Gifts should be nicely wrapped, presented with both hands, and accompanied by humble phrases like “つまらないものですが” (tsumaranai mono desu ga, “It’s nothing special, but…”). This ritual humility is expected even for expensive gifts.

Working hours and dedication expectations

Japanese workplace culture historically valued long hours and visible dedication, though this is gradually changing among younger professionals and foreign companies.

Understanding workplace norms:

• Arriving before your boss shows dedication
• Leaving after your boss shows respect (though becoming less strict)
• Drinking parties (飲み会, nomikai) with colleagues build relationships
• Refusing social invitations harms team dynamics

These expectations vary significantly by company culture and industry. Tech startups and foreign companies in Japan typically have more relaxed approaches than traditional Japanese corporations. When interviewing or joining a company, observe these patterns to understand expectations.

The concept of 空気を読む (kūki wo yomu, “reading the air”) means understanding unspoken expectations and group dynamics. This skill matters as much as language proficiency for success in Japanese workplaces.

Preparing for job interviews in Japanese

Job interviews in Japan follow specific patterns and expectations that differ from Western interview practices. Preparation requires understanding both the language and the cultural scripts that govern these interactions.

Standard interview questions

Question Type	Japanese	What to Prepare
Self-introduction	自己紹介をお願いします	2-minute background summary
Motivation	志望動機は何ですか	Specific reasons for this company
Strengths	長所は何ですか	Examples from past work
Weaknesses	短所は何ですか	Self-awareness + improvement plan
Career goals	将来の目標は何ですか	Long-term commitment to company

Self-introduction opening: “本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。私は[名前]と申します。” (Honjitsu wa o-jikan wo itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu. Watashi wa [name] to mōshimasu.) “Thank you for your time today. My name is [name].”

Follow with brief background on education and experience, keeping it under 2 minutes unless asked to elaborate.

Language proficiency levels

JLPT Level	Business Readiness	Typical Job Requirements
N5-N4	Basic daily conversation only	Not sufficient for work
N3	Simple business tasks with support	Entry-level with training
N2	Most business situations	Standard requirement
N1	Near-native proficiency	Preferred for business roles

JLPT certification helps for initial screening, but practical business Japanese ability matters more in work. An N2 holder who studied business Japanese specifically functions better than an N1 holder who primarily studied academic Japanese.

If you’re just starting your JLPT journey, check out this comprehensive JLPT N5 Study Guide and JLPT N5 Vocabulary to understand the foundational level.

Presenting your experience

When discussing your background and accomplishments, balance confidence with humility. Japanese business culture values modesty, so frame achievements as team efforts rather than personal triumphs.

Approach	Example	Result
Good	チームで協力して、売上を20%向上させることができました “Working together as a team, we increased sales by 20%”	Shows team orientation
Avoid	私が売上を20%向上させました “I increased sales by 20%”	Too self-centered for Japan

This doesn’t mean hiding your contributions, but acknowledging the collaborative context in which you achieved results.

Recommended reading: More Japanese language guides:

• Japanese for Family and Relationships: The Ultimate Guide
• Learn Basic Japanese for Travel: Essential Phrases and Tips

Continuing your business Japanese journey

Learning Japanese for work is a long-term investment that opens career opportunities and deepens cultural understanding. Progress happens through consistent practice, willingness to make mistakes, and regular exposure to workplace situations.

Your journey with business Japanese moves through distinct phases. Initially, focus on core polite expressions and building vocabulary for your specific industry. As confidence grows, incorporate humble and respectful forms into your active usage. Eventually, you’ll handle complex situations, reading subtle cues in Japanese society and adjusting your language naturally based on context.

The most successful Japanese language learners combine multiple approaches: structured lessons with qualified Japanese teachers, regular practice with native speakers, immersion in authentic materials, and real workplace application. Each element reinforces the others, creating a comprehensive learning system.

Professional guidance speeds up this process significantly. While self-study teaches grammar rules, experienced tutors help you understand when to break those rules, why certain phrases sound natural in specific contexts, and how to recover gracefully from mistakes. They bring the cultural insight that textbooks miss.

Ready to advance your business Japanese skills? Learn faster with personal guidance from expert Japanese teachers trusted by over 5 million learners worldwide.

Book a trial lesson today and start practicing real workplace scenarios with teachers who understand professional Japanese contexts.

FAQs

How to learn Japanese for a job?

Start with a qualified Japanese language tutor who has business language experience to build proper foundations in keigo from day one. Combine regular lessons focusing on workplace scenarios with daily practice using business materials like emails and industry publications. Target JLPT N2 level minimum for most professional positions, prioritizing practical speaking and writing skills over test preparation. Most learners need 6-12 months of focused study to reach basic workplace competency with intermediate Japanese, or 2-3 years starting from scratch.

What is the Japanese verb “to work”?

The primary verb is 働く (hataraku), meaning “to work” in general. In professional settings, you’ll more commonly use 勤めています (tsutomete imasu) meaning “I’m employed at [company]” or 勤務しております (kinmu shite orimasu) for a formal, humble version. The verb する (suru) also appears frequently: 仕事をする (shigoto wo suru) means “to do work.”

What does keigo mean in Japanese?

Keigo (敬語) means “respectful language” – the system of specialized vocabulary and grammar that expresses respect, humility, and politeness in Japanese. It has three main categories: respectful form (尊敬語) for elevating others’ actions, humble form (謙譲語) for lowering your own actions, and polite form (丁寧語) for general courtesy. Learning keigo distinguishes basic Japanese speakers from those who function professionally in Japanese workplaces.

What is the difference between keigo and normal Japanese?

Keigo transforms vocabulary and verb forms to show respect, while normal Japanese uses plain dictionary forms without these modifications. For example, “to do” is する (suru) in normal Japanese, but becomes いたします (itashimasu) in humble keigo or なさいます (nasaimasu) in respectful keigo. Normal Japanese works for close friends and casual situations, but keigo is mandatory in business settings to show appropriate respect for colleagues, clients, and superiors.