Japanese Business Vocabulary: Master Keigo, Meetings, and Corporate Language

Q: How important is keigo in Japanese business?

Keigo is essential in Japanese business settings. Using inappropriate formality levels creates immediate negative impressions. It signals either ignorance of Japanese culture or disrespect. However, non-native speakers are held to a lower standard than Japanese natives. Consistent use of polite speech (teineigo or masu-desu forms) plus a few key honorific phrases handles most business interactions successfully. Start with respectful greetings and email openings or closings. Japanese colleagues will appreciate any effort at appropriate keigo and rarely judge non-native speakers as harshly as they would a Japanese person using incorrect formality.

Q: How do Japanese business cards (meishi) work?

Meishi koukan (business card exchange) is a ritualized protocol in Japan. Present your card with both hands, with the Japanese side facing the recipient. Introduce yourself while offering the card. Receive their card with both hands. Read it carefully and make a positive comment about their title or company. Never write on someone's card, place it in your back pocket, or put anything on top of it. During meetings, place received cards on the table in front of you in seating order. After the meeting, store cards respectfully in a meishi ire (card holder). Use this phrase to request a card: Meishi wo choudai itashimasu (May I have your card, humble form).

Q: Is Japanese business language different from everyday Japanese?

Yes, significantly. Business Japanese (bijinesu nihongo) differs from everyday speech in major ways. Business contexts use the keigo three-level honorific system extensively. They follow strict email and phone conventions. They include corporate-specific vocabulary not used in daily life. Everyday polite Japanese (masu-desu forms) provides the foundation. Business contexts add sonkeigo (respectful forms for others' actions) and kenjougo (humble forms for your own actions). The gap resembles the difference between casual English and formal legal or diplomatic language. Same language, but distinct vocabulary, grammar patterns, and social rules.

JapaneseBy FluentFlash Research Team·Updated 2026-04-30

Japanese business vocabulary requires more than just knowing words. You must understand the correct formality level for each situation. Japan's corporate culture relies on hierarchical relationships expressed through keigo (honorific speech), which is the foundation of professional communication.

Keigo has three distinct levels. Sonkeigo (respectful language) elevates others' actions. Kenjougo (humble language) lowers your own actions. Teineigo (polite language) uses standard masu-desu forms. The word "to say" changes at each level: ossharu (respectful), mousu (humble), iimasu (polite).

Many common business verbs require three separate forms instead of one. This means you learn vocabulary in sets rather than single words. The good news: you don't need perfect keigo mastery. Consistent use of teineigo with key sonkeigo and kenjougo phrases covers most situations effectively. Japanese colleagues appreciate any effort toward appropriate formality.

Loading Japanese vocabulary...

Keigo Essentials: The Three Levels of Business Politeness

Understanding Sonkeigo (Respectful Language)

Sonkeigo elevates the actions of clients, superiors, and anyone outside your company. This shows respect for their status.

Common sonkeigo verbs include:

Irassharu (to be, go, come) instead of iru, iku, kuru
Ossharu (to say) instead of iu
Goran ni naru (to see, look) instead of miru
Meshiagaru (to eat, drink) instead of taberu, nomu
O-(verb stem)-ni naru (general respectful pattern)

Learning Kenjougo (Humble Language)

Kenjougo lowers your own actions to show deference. Use this when talking about yourself or your company.

Key kenjougo verbs are:

Mairu (to go, come) instead of iku, kuru
Mousu (to say) instead of iu
Itasu (to do) instead of suru
Itadaku (to receive, eat) instead of morau, taberu
Haiken suru (to look at) instead of miru
O-(verb stem)-suru (general humble pattern)

Using Teineigo as Your Foundation

Teineigo (polite language) uses masu and desu endings. This is the baseline for professional speech. Examples: ikimasu (I go), tabemasu (I eat), desu (is, am, are). In most business situations, consistent teineigo plus a few key sonkeigo and kenjougo phrases will serve you very well.

Business Meetings: Vocabulary and Protocol

Before the Meeting Starts

Prepare using specific vocabulary. Kaigi means meeting. Key phrases include:

Kaigi no shiryo wo junbi shimashita (I have prepared the meeting materials)
Gijisho (agenda, literally discussion items document)
Sankasha (participants or attendees)

Opening and Introductions

Start with proper introductions. Use these essential phrases:

Hajimemashite, (name) to moushimasu (How do you do, my name is...)
(Company name) no (name) desu (I am [name] from [company])
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu (Please treat me favorably, essential phrase for any new professional relationship)

During the Meeting

Use appropriate language when sharing ideas and responding:

Teian ga gozaimasu (I have a proposal, humble/polite form)
Go-iken wo okikase kudasai (Please share your opinion, respectful)
Kentou sasete itadakimasu (Allow me to consider it, often means no indirectly)
Chotto muzukashii desu ne (That's a bit difficult, often means impossible politely)

Ending and Follow-Up

Close meetings with proper vocabulary and understanding:

Giketsusho (minutes or record of decisions)
Tsugi no suteppu (next steps)
Otsukaresama deshita (Good work today, said at end of any shared work activity)

Indirect communication matters in Japanese business. "I'll think about it" and "That's difficult" often mean "no" in business culture. Learn to recognize these polite refusals.

Business Email and Written Communication

Following Email Format Rules

Japanese business emails follow strict formatting. The subject line should be specific and include relevant details. Example: Kaigi no nittei ni tsuite (Regarding the meeting schedule).

Always address the recipient properly. Write the company name, then name with title. Format: (Company) (Name)-sama.

Opening Your Email Correctly

Begin with a seasonal greeting or context phrase. The most common opening is Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu (Thank you for your ongoing support). This phrase appears in nearly every Japanese business email.

Next, state your purpose clearly:

Go-renraku itashimasu (I am contacting you, humble)
Go-soudan ga gozaimasu (I have something to consult you about, humble/polite)
Go-kakunin onegai itashimasu (I request your confirmation)

Making Requests Politely

Soften requests with respectful language. Key phrases include:

Osore irimasu ga... (I'm sorry to trouble you, but... polite softener before any request)
Go-kentou itadakereba saiwai desu (I would be grateful if you could consider this)

Closing Your Email

Use these closing phrases before your signature:

Go-taiou no hodo, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu (Thank you for your kind attention to this matter)
Otetsuki no sai ni go-henshin itadakereba saiwai desu (I would appreciate a reply at your convenience)

Always include your company name, department, full name, and contact information. FluentFlash generates email template decks with these formulas, helping you construct professional emails by combining memorized patterns.

Corporate Terminology and Office Vocabulary

Understanding Company Structure

Navigating a Japanese office requires learning hierarchy and roles. Key terms:

Kaisha (company)
Honsha (headquarters)
Shisha (branch office)
Bucho (department head or general manager)
Kacho (section chief or manager)
Shain (employee)
Shinnyuushain (new employee)
Joushi (supervisor or boss)
Buka (subordinate)
Torihikisaki (business partner or client company)
Kyougyousha (competitor)

Learning Work-Related Activities

Common work vocabulary includes:

Shigoto (work)
Zangyo (overtime, a significant concept in Japanese work culture)
Shutcho (business trip)
Kaigi (meeting)
Happyou or purezenteshon (presentation)
Houkoku (report)
Kikaku (planning or proposal)
Eigyo (sales or business development)
Keiri (accounting)
Jinji (human resources or HR)
Soumubu (general affairs department)

Recognizing English Loanwords (Gairaigo)

Japanese businesses use many English loanwords. Understand these common terms:

Purojekuto (project)
Skejuuru (schedule)
Miitingu (meeting, used alongside kaigi)
Konpuraiansu (compliance)
Kosuto (cost)
Riskku (risk)
Maaketingu (marketing)
Bejetto (budget)
Desukku (desk)
Paatonaa (partner)

Many Japanese professionals code-switch between Japanese and English business terms freely. Tech-oriented and international companies especially use both languages together.

Master Japanese Business Language

AI generates business Japanese flashcards with keigo markers, email templates, and meeting phrases. FSRS scheduling ensures long-term retention.

Create Business Japanese Deck

Frequently Asked Questions

How important is keigo in Japanese business?

Keigo is essential in Japanese business settings. Using inappropriate formality levels creates immediate negative impressions. It signals either ignorance of Japanese culture or disrespect.

However, non-native speakers are held to a lower standard than Japanese natives. Consistent use of polite speech (teineigo or masu-desu forms) plus a few key honorific phrases handles most business interactions successfully.

Start with respectful greetings and email openings or closings. Japanese colleagues will appreciate any effort at appropriate keigo and rarely judge non-native speakers as harshly as they would a Japanese person using incorrect formality.

What Japanese business phrases should I learn first?

Start with these 10 essential phrases for immediate usefulness:

Hajimemashite (How do you do, used at first meeting)
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu (Please treat me favorably, used in every new business interaction)
Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu (Thank you for your support, email or phone opening)
Otsukaresama deshita (Good work today, end of work or meeting)
Shitsurei shimasu (Excuse me, entering or leaving rooms, ending phone calls)
Kentou sasete itadakimasu (Let me consider it)
Osore irimasu ga (I'm sorry to trouble you, but...)
Go-kakunin onegai shimasu (Please confirm)
Moushiwake gozaimasen (I sincerely apologize)
Kansha itashimasu (I am grateful)

These phrases appear frequently in real business interactions and build credibility quickly.

How do Japanese business cards (meishi) work?

Meishi koukan (business card exchange) is a ritualized protocol in Japan. Present your card with both hands, with the Japanese side facing the recipient. Introduce yourself while offering the card.

Receive their card with both hands. Read it carefully and make a positive comment about their title or company. Never write on someone's card, place it in your back pocket, or put anything on top of it.

During meetings, place received cards on the table in front of you in seating order. After the meeting, store cards respectfully in a meishi ire (card holder). Use this phrase to request a card: Meishi wo choudai itashimasu (May I have your card, humble form).

Is Japanese business language different from everyday Japanese?

Yes, significantly. Business Japanese (bijinesu nihongo) differs from everyday speech in major ways.

Business contexts use the keigo three-level honorific system extensively. They follow strict email and phone conventions. They include corporate-specific vocabulary not used in daily life.

Everyday polite Japanese (masu-desu forms) provides the foundation. Business contexts add sonkeigo (respectful forms for others' actions) and kenjougo (humble forms for your own actions). The gap resembles the difference between casual English and formal legal or diplomatic language. Same language, but distinct vocabulary, grammar patterns, and social rules.

How long does it take to learn Japanese business vocabulary?

The timeline depends on your starting level. If you already have intermediate Japanese (JLPT N3-N2 level), build functional business vocabulary in 2-3 months of focused study.

The main additions are keigo verb forms, email and meeting formulas, and corporate terminology. Starting from zero requires 12-18 months of study. Japanese is a Category IV language (2,200 hours to proficiency per the US Foreign Service Institute). Business Japanese adds another complexity layer on top of general proficiency.

FluentFlash generates keigo-focused decks with formality markers, so you systematically learn the correct form for each business context.