Essential Japanese
for Your First Day at Work

The standard morning greeting in any professional setting. Use it the moment you walk through the door until roughly noon. Say it clearly and with a slight bow — even a 5-degree nod shows respect. Saying it quietly or not at all can give the impression that you are unfriendly or arrogant.

Literally "please treat me well again today." Japanese has no direct translation for this feeling — it is an expression of goodwill and readiness to collaborate. Say it right after your morning greeting, especially to your team leader or the first colleague you speak to. It signals that you are motivated and cooperative.

Use this before asking a question or starting any conversation that will take more than a few seconds. お時間 (ojikan) is the polite form of 時間 (time). Saying 今 (ima, "now") is important — it shows you understand they might be busy and gives them a way to say "not right now."

A slightly more formal version. でしょうか (deshō ka) is softer and more indirect than ですか (desu ka), which makes it more respectful toward managers or senior colleagues. Use this when speaking to your 上司 (jōshi, supervisor) or in any formal situation.

すみませんが (sumimasen ga) — "Excuse me, but…" — is a softener that cushions the request before you even make it. こちら (kochira) means "this" but sounds more polite than これ (kore). Use when handing someone a document, task, or question. It is direct enough to be clear, but polite enough for any colleague.

ご確認 (go-kakunin) is the polite prefix ご + 確認 (kakunin, "confirmation / review"). いただけますか is the humble form of "could you please give me…" — one of the most important keigo patterns in daily work life. Use whenever you send a document, email, or completed task to a superior for approval.

The standard thank-you for any completed favour, help, or kind act. In the workplace, ありがとうございます is used far more than the casual ありがとう — always use the full form with people you work with. Accompany it with a brief bow. When thanking someone for something done in the past, say ありがとうございました (past tense).

Literally "I was saved / rescued." This phrase carries more emotional weight than a simple thank-you. It tells the other person that their help made a real difference. Combine it with ありがとうございます for maximum impact: ありがとうございます。本当に助かりました。 ("Thank you. That was a really big help.")

お先に (osaki ni) means "before you / ahead of you." 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) literally means "I am being rude." Together they form a humble apology for leaving while others are still working. Say it to your immediate team and anyone nearby as you prepare to leave. In return, they will usually say お疲れ様でした to you.

One of the most important phrases in the Japanese workplace. お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) acknowledges that the other person worked hard and is tired. Use it when a colleague finishes a task, when someone is leaving, or at the end of the day. It can also be used as a general greeting after midday, similar to "hey" between colleagues who have been working together.