Before doing business in Japan or with Japanese companies, you should study at least a little simple Japanese words. If you know some Japanese it will help to create a great start to the meeting and relax your business partners. As well as the simple conversational phrases, take a little time to learn some business phrases and your meeting will be off to a very good start.
When it comes time for introductions, you would say Hajimemashite. This is then followed by Watashi no namae wa ________ desu, where you fill in the blank with your name. This is used the very first time you meet someone and means 'Hello, It's nice to meet you. My name is _____________ After this it is usual to bow and swap your meishi or business cards. Also part of an introduction is the phrases 'Dozo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu'. This is tricky to translate, but essentially means lets have a good relationship.
Important words to know are the basic words to say 'Please', 'Thank-You' and 'You are Welcome'. 'Dozo' is used generally to mean 'Please' as in Please go ahead or Please do something before me. Thank You Very Much is said by the usual phrase Domo arigato gozaimasu. You may wonder how to reply if someone says Domo Arigat o Gozaimasu to you - the best way is to say Doitashimashite, which means you are welcome, no problem.
If you are at a dinner with a customer and he/she offers you a drink, you can say 'Onegaishimasu' which means Thank-You, I would like to accept. Sumimasen and Gomen Nasai are useful phrases to know - they both mean sorry. Gomen Nasai has a stronger meaning than sumimasen.
'Domo arigato gozaimasu' is a phrase that should be used at the end of the meeting. This phrase has the meaning of thank you, but also is a way of saying good-bye. You may think it is customary to say Sayonara to say goodbye but be wary that this phrase is usually used to say goodbye to someone that you are not expecting to see again for some time.
If you do put the time and effort into learning and trying to understand Japanese it will be valued and noticed. It is one sure way to delight and surprise your business partners. It is widely believed in Japan that Japanese is very hard to learn for foreigners and if you do learn and speak some words it will make a enormous difference. Even the most basic words or phrases will be welcomed, such as a thank-you or polite greeting.
Knowledge of Japanese culture is just as important as knowing the language. Knowing and understanding the company structure, social hierarchy and how business is actually conducted in Japan according to the sometimes unwritten rules will be crucial to your successful business relationships. - 30216
When it comes time for introductions, you would say Hajimemashite. This is then followed by Watashi no namae wa ________ desu, where you fill in the blank with your name. This is used the very first time you meet someone and means 'Hello, It's nice to meet you. My name is _____________ After this it is usual to bow and swap your meishi or business cards. Also part of an introduction is the phrases 'Dozo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu'. This is tricky to translate, but essentially means lets have a good relationship.
Important words to know are the basic words to say 'Please', 'Thank-You' and 'You are Welcome'. 'Dozo' is used generally to mean 'Please' as in Please go ahead or Please do something before me. Thank You Very Much is said by the usual phrase Domo arigato gozaimasu. You may wonder how to reply if someone says Domo Arigat o Gozaimasu to you - the best way is to say Doitashimashite, which means you are welcome, no problem.
If you are at a dinner with a customer and he/she offers you a drink, you can say 'Onegaishimasu' which means Thank-You, I would like to accept. Sumimasen and Gomen Nasai are useful phrases to know - they both mean sorry. Gomen Nasai has a stronger meaning than sumimasen.
'Domo arigato gozaimasu' is a phrase that should be used at the end of the meeting. This phrase has the meaning of thank you, but also is a way of saying good-bye. You may think it is customary to say Sayonara to say goodbye but be wary that this phrase is usually used to say goodbye to someone that you are not expecting to see again for some time.
If you do put the time and effort into learning and trying to understand Japanese it will be valued and noticed. It is one sure way to delight and surprise your business partners. It is widely believed in Japan that Japanese is very hard to learn for foreigners and if you do learn and speak some words it will make a enormous difference. Even the most basic words or phrases will be welcomed, such as a thank-you or polite greeting.
Knowledge of Japanese culture is just as important as knowing the language. Knowing and understanding the company structure, social hierarchy and how business is actually conducted in Japan according to the sometimes unwritten rules will be crucial to your successful business relationships. - 30216
About the Author:
Of course you have to actually learn the pronunciation to be able to use these phrases. To learn Japanese words and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com
