Japanese Business Vocabulary: Essential Business Japanese Terms Guide

Are you considering working in a Japanese company? Maybe you've been studying Japanese for a while and feel comfortable ordering food or chatting with friends, but the thought of navigating a Japanese office makes your palms sweat. The workplace in Japan comes with its own linguistic universe. Business vocabulary in Japanese includes specialized terms for everything from greeting your superior to discussing contracts, plus an entire system of honorific language that can make or break your professional reputation.

Why essential business Japanese matters for your career

Did you know that having some business Japanese phrases up your sleeve can work career magic? The Japanese business world values linguistic precision and proper etiquette more than most other cultures. Using the wrong level of politeness can accidentally insult a client or make you seem unprofessional to colleagues.

Japanese companies expect employees to master keigo (), the honorific language system that shows respect through specific verb forms and vocabulary. This goes way beyond adding "desu" (です) and "masu" (ます) to your sentences. We're talking about three distinct levels of politeness that change depending on who you're talking to and what you're talking about.

The good news? Once you learn the core business vocabulary and understand how keigo works, you'll sound professional and earn respect in Japanese workplaces. The patterns repeat themselves across different situations, so your effort pays off quickly.

Understanding keigo: The foundation of Japanese business culture

Before diving into specific vocabulary, you need to understand keigo. This honorific system has three main types:

Mixing these up causes problems. Imagine accidentally using humble language to describe your CEO's actions. You'd basically be insulting them by lowering their status. Yeah, keigo matters.

Learn Japanese business greetings and daily phrases

Every morning in a Japanese office starts with specific greetings. When you arrive, you say "Ohayou gozaimasu" (おはようございます) to everyone, regardless of the time. This literally means "good morning," but Japanese offices use it as the standard greeting when you first see colleagues for the day.

When leaving before others, you say "Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu" (), which roughly translates to "Excuse me for leaving before you." The people staying respond with "Otsukaresama deshita" (), acknowledging your hard work.

Here's a phrase you'll use constantly: "Otsukaresama desu" (). This versatile greeting acknowledges someone's effort and can be used throughout the day when passing colleagues, starting meetings, or ending phone calls. It creates a sense of shared effort and mutual respect.

When asking someone to do something, you'll use "Onegai shimasu" (), which means "please" or "I request this." For thanking someone, "Arigatou gozaimasu" (ありがとうございます) works for most situations, but in very formal contexts, you might say "Kansha moushiagemasu" ().

Company and organizational vocabulary

You need specific terms to talk about companies and organizational structures.

A company is "kaisha" (), but you'll also hear "kigyou" () in more formal contexts. An LLC is called "goudou gaisha" () in Japan, abbreviated as GK, though the more common limited company structure is "kabushiki gaisha" (), abbreviated as KK.

Your workplace is "shokuba" (), and your office is "jimusho" () or "ofisu" ().

The company president is "shachou" (), department heads are "buchou" (), and section chiefs are "kachou" (). Your direct superior might be "jouchou" (), and colleagues are "douryou" ().

When talking about your own company to outsiders, you use "heisha" (), a humble term meaning "our humble company." When referring to another company respectfully, you say "kisha" () in writing or "onsha" () in speech. These distinctions show proper business etiquette and respect for hierarchy.

Employees are "shain" (), and new employees are "shinjin" (). Part-time workers are "arubaito" (アルバイト), often shortened to "baito." Full-time employees are "seishain" (), which carries more prestige and job security in Japanese business culture.

Meeting and presentation vocabulary

Meetings are "kaigi" (), and you'll attend many of them. A conference is "kaigi" () or "kyougikai" () for larger, more formal gatherings. When you want to schedule a meeting, you might say "Kaigi wo settei shitai no desu ga" (), meaning "I'd like to set up a meeting."

The meeting room is "kaigishitsu" (). The agenda is "gidai" () or "ajenda" (アジェンダ). Minutes from the meeting are "gijiroku" (), and someone usually gets assigned to take them.

During presentations, you'll use "happyou" () for the presentation itself, or "purezentēshon" (プレゼンテーション) using the English loanword. To present is "happyou suru" (). When showing slides, you might say "Tsugi no suraido wo goran kudasai" (), meaning "Please look at the next slide."

Common meeting phrases include "Kaigi wo hajimemasu" () to start a meeting, and "Kaigi wo owarimasu" () to end it. When asking for opinions, you'd say "Iken wa arimasu ka" (), and when agreeing, "Sansei desu" () works well.

Business emails and written communication terms

Email is "mēru" (メール) or more formally "denshi mēru" (). The subject line is "ken" () or "kenmei" (). When writing business emails, you start with the recipient's name followed by "sama" (), the most respectful honorific.

A typical email opening is "Osewa ni natte orimasu" (), which acknowledges the ongoing relationship. This phrase appears in basically every business email and roughly means "Thank you for your continued support."

When attaching files, you write "Tenpu shimasu" () or "Tenpu fairu wo goran kudasai" (), meaning "Please see the attached file." To request something, "Onegai itashimasu" () is more formal than the spoken "onegai shimasu."

Closing an email typically involves "Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu" (), a versatile phrase requesting favorable consideration. You might also write "Osaki ni shitsurei itashimasu" () before holidays or when leaving early.

Phone call vocabulary and etiquette

Answering the phone at work requires specific phrases. You typically answer with your company name and your own name: "ABC Kigyou no Tanaka de gozaimasu" (), meaning "This is Tanaka from ABC Company."

When calling someone, you introduce yourself first: "ABC Kigyou no Tanaka to moushimasu" (), using the humble form "moushimasu" () instead of "desu" (です).

To ask if someone is available, you say "Suzuki-san wa irasshaimasu ka" (), using the respectful form for "to be." If you're transferring a call, you might say "Shouhou omachi kudasai" (), meaning "Please wait a moment."

When the person you're calling for is out, you might hear "Tadaima seki wo hazushite orimasu" (), meaning "They're away from their desk right now." To leave a message, you'd say "Dengon wo onegai dekimasu ka" ().

Useful phrases for client and customer interactions

Clients are "kokyaku" () or "torihikisaki" (). When meeting clients, you bow and exchange business cards in a specific ritual called "meishi koukan" (). Business cards are "meishi" (), and you present them with both hands while saying "Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu" ().

When receiving a business card, you also use both hands, study it carefully, and thank them: "Choudai itashimasu" (), a humble way of saying "I receive this." Never write on someone's business card in front of them or put it away immediately. That's terrible business etiquette.

Common client interaction phrases include "Gokigen ikaga desu ka" () as a polite greeting asking how they are, though this sounds quite formal. More commonly, you might use "Osewa ni natte orimasu" () when meeting regular clients.

To apologize for keeping someone waiting, say "Omatase itashimashita" (). When thanking a client for their business, "Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu" (いつもありがとうございます) expresses ongoing gratitude.

Japanese phrases of contract and agreement

Contracts are "keiyaku" (), and to sign a contract is "keiyaku wo musubu" (). An agreement is "goui" () or "doui" (). Terms and conditions are "kiyaku" () or "jouken" ().

A proposal is "teian" (), and to propose something is "teian suru" (). When negotiating, you're doing "koushou" (). The negotiation process might involve discussing the "kakaku" () or price, "shiharaihouhou" () or payment method, and "nōki" () or delivery date.

To approve something, you use "shounin suru" (), while to reject is "kyohi suru" (). A deadline is "shimekiri" (), and you definitely want to meet those in Japanese business culture.

Job interview vocabulary of Japanese companies

Are you trying to learn Japanese but having trouble speaking in interview situations? Interviews are "mensetsu" (), and the interviewer is "mensetsukansha" (). Your resume is "rirekisho" (), a standardized form in Japan, while your CV with more detail is "shokumu keirekisho" ().

When introducing yourself, you'd say "Watakushi wa (name) to moushimasu" (), using the humble "watakushi" () for "I" instead of casual forms. To describe your strengths, you might say "Watakushi no tsuyomi wa..." (...), meaning "My strength is..."

Common interview questions include "Shigoto no keiken ni tsuite oshiete kudasai" (), asking about your work experience, and "Naze kono kaisha wo erabimashita ka" (), asking why you chose this company.

Japanese business etiquette, techniques, and culture

What is the Japanese technique in business?

Japanese business culture emphasizes several unique approaches. "Kaizen" () means continuous improvement, where companies constantly refine processes. "Hou-ren-sou" () is a communication principle combining "houkoku" () for reporting, "renraku" () for informing, and "soudan" () for consulting. This technique ensures everyone stays informed and aligned.

Japanese companies also practice "nemawashi" (), informal consensus-building before official meetings. Decisions get discussed privately with stakeholders beforehand, so the actual meeting confirms what's already been agreed upon. This avoids public disagreement and maintains harmony, a core value in Japanese culture.

Making business Japanese work for you

Learning business Japanese takes time, but you can start using these terms immediately in professional contexts. The key is understanding the cultural context behind the language. Japanese business vocabulary reflects values like respect for hierarchy, group harmony, and attention to detail.

Anyway, if you want to actually practice these terms with real Japanese content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up business vocabulary instantly while reading Japanese news articles or watching business-focused shows. You can save terms directly to your flashcard decks and review them with spaced repetition. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

FAQs

This post only covers a tip of the iceberg of the business vocabulary...

Are you up for the captivating world of the Japanese language? Business Japanese opens doors to career opportunities and a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. The formality might seem overwhelming at first, but once you grasp the patterns, you'll navigate professional situations with confidence. However, before reaching that stage, you need to consume media extensively, especially in the specific field you're interested in!

The business scenario is tense, but trust yourself!