Business Phrases

Business Phrases - Japanese Firm

• when handing out your business card:
• 'Watashi no namae wa Brown desu' - means 'My name is Brown', if I ever meet the Emperor then this is the one I will use (although there is a much politer more humble version I would be required to use if I were Japanese!).
• 'Brown desu.' - means the same as 'Watashi no name wa Brown desu' but is more colloquial, way less formal, much easier to remember and will not get you into trouble.
• 'Hajimemashite' - means 'Hello, I am pleased to make your acquaintance' and you only use it the very first time you meet unless you want to break the ice by being a comedian.
• General greetings:
• 'Ohayogozaimasu' - means 'Good morning' and is generally used before 10:00am.
• 'Konnichiwa' - means 'Good day' (when meeting) and is used from 10:00am ~ 6:00pm.
• 'Kombanwa' - means 'Good evening' (when meeting) and is generally used after 6:00pm.
• Upon parting:
• 'Domo arigato gozaimashita' - pronounced 'domo aligatogozaimashita' means 'Thank you' (in this case for the event that just occurred) and can be used when parting morning, afternoon or night. Do not use 'Sayonara' (pronounced 'Sayonala') which is more of a final (or long-term) 'farewell'.
• Sorry and excuse me:
• 'Gomen nasai.' means 'Sorry' and can be used when you stand on your customers foot as you both get into an over-crowded late-night train!
• 'Sumimasen.' - means 'Excuse me.' and can be used when excusing yourself from the table or room or when calling a waiter/waitress.
• Please and thank you:
• 'Onegaishimasu' means 'If you please' and can be used for example if you are at dinner with a customer and he/she offers you wine. It can also be used (as by fawning Japanese salespeople and me!) in an expectant way when asking for an order (of the revenue-bearing contract variety)!
• 'Domo arigato gozaimasu' - pronounced 'domo aligato gozaimasu' means 'Thank you' (in this case for the event that is just occurring!) and can be used when thanking a customer for an order or for a meal.
• 'Gochisosama deshita' - means 'Thank you' but only to your host when leaving a restaurant or bar (it literally means 'I was spoiled' as in having received food and drink).
• 'Doitashimashite' - means 'It's my pleasure.' and if a you bought lunch/dinner for a customer and he/she says "Gochisosama deshita'.