Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Business Japanese! Whether you're a foreigner living in Japan, job hunting for positions requiring Japanese proficiency, or looking to enhance your business communication skills, this comprehensive guide will provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to succeed. From understanding the nuances of Business Japanese to preparing for exams and acing job interviews, we've got you covered.
Well, what is business Japanese? Business Japanese is the formal version of Japanese you would use in work settings, meetings, and negotiations. It differs from everyday conversational Japanese in that it places even greater emphasis on politeness and respect towards superiors and clients. In business Japanese, you will often encounter the use of passive voice, indirect expressions, and keigo honorific language as a means to convey humility and deference.
For instance, when running late, you might casually say 遅くなりそうなんだけど、ごめんね！ , or osoku narisou nandakedo, gomen ne! to a friend, meaning: It looks like I'm going to be late, sorry! However, when addressing your boss, a more formal expression such as 丁寧に申し訳ありませんが、予定よりも遅くなる見込みです, or t einei ni mōshiwake arimasen ga, yotei yori mo osoku naru mikomi desu is appropriate, which translates to I sincerely apologize, but it seems I will be later than planned. In both cases, you apologize for the delay, but in the second example, the language used is more formal and complex. By placing the apology at the beginning, it emphasizes taking responsibility and is perceived as more formal and sincere.
But hey, it's not always black and white. Sometimes the line between business Japanese and everyday Japanese gets blurry, and it can vary depending on the situation and the people involved. Still, knowing the main differences can be super helpful in communicating efficiently in a professional setting and navigating through everyday life.
This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning Japanese through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.