Because of the difference culture, sometimes, you will misunderstand when you first come here, especially in the way you communicate - about what Japanese always concern. So, to avoid this misunderstanding and make a good impression on your peers, let’s find out some Japanese office environment vocative with TODAI Japanese!

Let’s begin

When you talk about yourself

Right

Wrong

Meaning

わたくし (watakushi)

わたし／ぼく (watashi/boku)

I

わたくしども (watakushidomo)

わたしたち／ぼくたち (watashitachi/bokutachi)

We

わたくしどもの会社(watakushidomo no kaisha)

わが社／うちの会社(wagash/uchi no kaisha)

My company

 

When you talk about someone

Right

Wrong

Meaning

あなた／あなたさま(anata/anatasama)

あんた (anata)

You

男の方／女の方 (otoko no kata/onna no kata)

男の人／女の人 (otoko no hito/onna no hito)

He/She

ご年配の方 (gonenpai no kata)

年配の人 (nenpai no hito)

The senior

お年を召された方 (otoshi wo mesareta kata)

老人 (rojin)

Old people

お客様 (okyakusama)

お客 (okyaku)

Customer

あの方 (anokata)

あの人 (anohito)

 

That man

こちらさま (kochirasama)

この人 (konohito)

This man

お連れの方 (otsure no kata)

連れの人 (otsure no hito)

The accompanying person

 

When you talk about your relatives 

Your relatives

Someone’s relatives

Meaning

父　(chichi)

お父様 (otosama)

 

Father

母　(haha)

 

お母様 (okasama) 

Mother

ご子息 (goshisoku)

ご令息 (goreisoku)

Son

ご息女 (gosokujo)

ご令嬢 (reijo)

Daughter

祖父

おじいさま (ojiisama)

Grandfather

祖母

おばあさま (obaasama)

Grandmother

In working places

To people in the company: Adding position after their names, for example 田中部長 (manager Tanaka). Depending on each company to change to name+ さん, for example 田中さん.

To people outside: When talking about people in the company, just use the surname and the position, for example 部長は…, 部長の田中は…

Do not use nicknames

When you come to see customers, you should avoid using nicknames. In the working places, it still depends on the company’s culture. In the customer service industry, some restaurants still let their staffs use nicknames.

Those are Japanese office environment vocative, TODAI Japanese hopes these suggestions help you with your works and your peers. Besides, to communicate fluently, Japanese plays an important role. Follow TODAI Japanese, and download TODAI Japanese here to learn Japanese easily!