I want to work with japanese people (not in Japan but in japanese) to level up my japannese but I don't want to sound dumb by not knowing some work related vocab or by not being polite enough due to not knowing some word that are necessary in a particular situation.
So, what information do you deem necessarry or even just good to know when working with japanese people ?
My level is currently N4-N3. I'm not just interested in necesary informations but information that is "cool to know" : little tips and tricks that can enhance my politeness or just to be seen as a good person by japanese people.
English is not my first language so please forgive my syntaxe.
by LeFrench_DeezNuts
9 comments
よろしくおねがいします and おつかれさまでした are good phrases to use
Read up on Aizuchi! “Interrupting” to say “hai hai” or repeat the person’s words might be seen as rude in some cultures but it’s very valued in Japan.
Wish I knew from the start how to use ‘どうも’
Could’ve saved me a lot of awkwardness
Read up on name suffixes and err on the side of asking a trusted coworker when it comes to politeness
NHK World Japan has a series called “Easy Japanese for Work” where they teach you tips – phrases and expressions which can be helpful for foreigners working in Japan, in different contexts. If you google it it shd come up easily.
I hope it helps!
The biggest mistake I’ve seen people with that level of Japanese make when entering a Japanese office is actually speaking too formally. I think a lot of university Japanese courses stress outdated business manners that have you using sonkeigo/kenjogo with your direct superiors. That’s really not commonly done nowadays. Plus if you’re only at N4/N3 level, no one expects you to know business Japanese anyway. Regular です•ます is fine. I know multiple people who’d had to be sat down by coworkers and asked to stop speaking so formally lol
I consult with CG/VFX studios and work occasionally in Japan. My language skill is survival at best but my advice is Japanese people are not a monolith. Every studio I have been involved with has a different style of communication and interaction. Observe and adjust accordingly.
There is no way to ‘be seen as a good person’ because people are individuals and will judge you according to their own personal bias and interactions with you.
“Difficult” in Japanese means “impossible”.
That they would stop having kids, and Japanese tourism would become an inescapable hellhole of bottom feeding operations fighting over tiny scraps of enyasu cheapskates.
Not that I am bitter or anything!