「マギー先生、ちょっと質問があるんですが..」

(“Maggie sensei, chotto shitsumon ga arun desu ga…)

Ms. Maggie, I have a little question to ask…

「う〜ん…今、ちょっと…」

(=Uun… ima chotto…)

Umm …. now??

Today’s key word is ちょっと(=chotto)!!

You might say “I know that! It is eeeeasy!!”

Note :ちょっとした(=chotto shita) ：adjective

Ex. ちょっとしたことだけど、すごく嬉しい。

(=Chotto shita koto dakedo sugoku ureshii)

It’s a small thing but I am very happy!

Ex. 私の父はちょっとした会社の社長だ。

(=Watashi no chichi wa chotto shita kaisha no shachou da)

My father is a president of a quite big/well-known company.

(It hints that the company is big or famous.)

Ex. 彼の作品ってちょっとしたもんだね。

(=Kare no sakuhin tte chotto shita monda ne.)

His work is not bad at all!

(もん(=mon) is a casual way of saying 物(=mono) things.

ちょっとした物(=Chotto shita mono) could be a small something as its literal meaning but sometimes we use it as “pretty good“)

More 曖昧(=aimai) ambiguous & 遠回し(=toumawashi) round-about, expressions.

•「う〜ん…今、ちょっと…」

(=Uun…ima chotto…)

Umm…. now???

今ちょっと忙しいです。(=Ima chotto isogashii desu.) I am busy right now.

<How to decline using ちょっと(=chotto)>

•「明日、暇？」(=Ashita hima?) Are you free tomorrow?

X「明日は暇だけどあなたとつきあいたくはありません。」

(=Ashita wa hima dakedo anata to tsukiaitaku wa arimasen.)

I am free tomorrow, but I don’t want to go out with you!

(This answer is toooo straight! )

•明日は用事があるのでだめです。

（=Ashita wa youji ga aru node dame desu.)

I have plans tomorrow, so I can’t go out with you.

(We do say this but it sounds still a bit too straight.)

•「明日はちょっと用事があって…」

(=Ashita wa chotto youji ga atte)

I have something to do tomorrow so….

•「明日はちょっと忙しくって…」

(=Ashita wa chotto isogashikutte.)

I am busy tomorrow so….

•「明日はちょっと都合が悪くって…」

(=Ashita wa chotto tsugou ga warukutte .)

I am not available tomorrow so….

「明日はちょっと…」（＝Ashita wa chotto) Tomorrow is….(not convenient)

We don’t finish the sentence to make it sound softer. We have to read between the lines which is expressed with “…” = 点点点 or てんてんてん (=ten ten ten) dot dot dot part.

•「週末、引っ越しの手伝いしてくれる？」

(=Shuumatsu hikkoshi no tetsudai shite kureru?)

Can you help me move this weekend?

•「週末は忙しいから手伝えません。」

(=Shuumatsu wa isogashii kara tetsudaemasen.)

I am busy this weekend, so I can’t help you. (too direct.)

•「週末はちょっと忙しいです。」

(=Shuumatsu wa chotto isogashii desu.)

I am a bit busy this weekend.

•「ごめんなさい。週末はちょっと…」

(=Gomennasai. Shuumatsu wa chotto)

I am sorry but this weekend is…(→not good for me.)

「彼と付き合ってみない？」

(=Kare to tsukiatte minai?)　

Do you want to go out with him?

「付き合いたくありません。」

(=tsukiaitaku arimasen.)

I don’t want to go out with him! (too straight.)

Instead you can say

•「う〜ん、ちょっと遠慮しておく。」

(=Uun chotto enryo shite oku.)

No, thank you! (casual)

•「ちょっとタイプと違うから…。」

(=Chotto taipu to wa chigau kara….)

He is not my type so…

•「う〜ん、ちょっと…」

(=Uun chotto…)

I am sorry but…

Note : Of course, there are girls who are very straight forward!

•「ムリ！ムリ！！」

(=muri! muri!!) No way! Impossible! (very colloquial)

•「ムリだから！」

(=Muri dakara!)

No way! That’s not happening! (very colloquial)

•ムリ=無理 = impossible

•〜（だ）から(=~dakara) very colloquial

•「来週の金曜日に合コンやるんだけど、どう？」

(=Raishuu no kinyoubi ni goukon yarundakedo dou?)

”We are going to have a matchmaking party. Do you wanna come?”

その日は、(=Sono hiwa) that day (is)

→忙しいです。

(=isogashii desu.)

busy

→都合が悪いです。

(=tsugou ga warui desu.)

not convenient

→難しいです。

(=muzukashii desu.)

it’s difficult

•「その日は、ちょっと」

(=Sono hi wa chotto…)

That day is … → (I am not available on that day…)

•「残念ながらその日は、ちょっと…」

(=Zannen nagara sono hi wa chotto…)

Unfortunately that day is…→I am sorry, but I am not available on that day.

「ごめんなさい、その日は、ちょっと…」

(=Gomennasai sono hi wa chotto…)

I am sorry but I am not available on that day…

「その日は、ちょっと無理！」

(=Sono hi wa chotto muri)

I can’t make it that day!

Note : ちょっと(=chotto) a bit + 無理(=muri) impossible might sound strange. Although it isn’t grammatically correct we do hear this phrase often.

•「飲み会がありますが、来ませんか？」(=Nomikai ga arimasu ga kimasen ka?)

Would like to join us for drinks?

(飲み会= nomikai= a drinking party?

•「行きたくありません。」

(=Ikitaku arimasen.)

I don’t want to go.

•「都合が悪いです。」

(=tsugou ga warui desu.)

I am not available.

•「今回はちょっと遠慮しておきます。」

(=Konkai wa chotto enryo shite okimasu.)

I’m sorry, but I ‘m going to have to pass this time.

•「今回はちょっと遠慮させて下さい。」

(=Konkai wa chotto enryo sasete kudasai.)

I’m sorry, but let me a pass this time.

•「今回はちょっと遠慮しておくよ。」

(=Konkai wa chotto enryo shite okuyo) for men (casual)

I’ll pass this time.

Note : The ending with ~おくよ(~okuyo) is for man. The ending with ~しておくわ(~shite okuwa) is for women.

•「ごめん！今回はちょっと勘弁して！」

(=Gomen! Konkai wa chotto kanben shite!)

I’ll pass this time. Let me pass this time. (casual)

And you apologize,

•ごめんなさい。(=gomennasai) I am sorry

•すみません。(=sumimasen) I am sorry

•ごめん！(=gomen) Sorry! (casual)

Then you can follow up :

•「またの機会にお願いします。」

(=Mata no kikai ni onegai shimasu.)

Please ask me again, Next time, Give me a rain check!

•「またの機会に！」

(=Mata no kikai ni!)

Next time!

•「また誘って下さい。」

(=Mata sasotte kudasai.)

Please invite me again.

•「また誘って！」

(=Mata sasotte!)

Invite me again! (casual)

This is the typical “procedure” of declining someone’s invitation.

<How to receive annoying phone call for sales.>

•「今、ちょっと手が離せないので…」（=Ima chotto te ga hanasenai node.)

I am tied up right now so…

Extra Information : In a romantic situation

When you ask a girl for a date :

•「日曜日、ドライブにいかない？」

(=Nichiyoubi doraibu ni ikanai?)

Do you want to take a drive this Sunday?

•「今度の休み、どこか遊びに行かない？」

(=Kondo no yasumi dokoka asobini ikanai?)

Do you wanna go out with me next holiday?

and if she says

•「皆と一緒だったら…」

(=minna to issho dattara…)

If it is in a group…(→I prefer to go out in a group.)

That means she is not comfortable being alone with you, and there is less chance for a romantic relationship (yet).

Also when you ask her for a second date and she says

•「今度は皆で行きましょ！」

(=Kondo wa minna de ikimasho!)

Why don’t we go out in a group next time!

Again, this probably means the romantic outlook is… not sunny. Sorry! ;-)

<How to avoid giving people your personal information>

When you don’t want to say anything personal you can also use ちょっと(=chotto)

•「どちらへお出かけですか？」

(=Dochira e odekake desu ka?)

Where are you going?

「ちょっとそこまで」

(=Chotto soko made)

I will just go somewhere around here.

Note : You don’t have to specify the place you are going.

•「どうかしたの？」

(=Dou ka shita no?)

What is wrong?

「ちょっといろいろあって…」

(=Chotto iroiro atte)

Many things happened so…. / I had some problems so.. / for many reasons

「ちょっとごたごたしていて」

(=Chotto gotagota shite ite.)

I have been busy for many things so…. / I have been having some problems so..

Also when you don’t want to ask all the personal details,

•いろいろ大変でしたね。

(=Iroiro taihen deshita ne.)

I feel sorry that you have been through many things

Please go check 労るレッスン(=Itawaru ressun)

In the lesson, I mentioned a line which you can say to a person who has just lost their family

•(この度は、)ご愁傷様でした。(=goshuushou sama deshita.) 　Sorry for your loss. My condolences.

You could also just say,

•この度は…（＝Kono tabi wa…)

Note : この度(=konotabi) means “this time“

Because Japanese language is 曖昧(=aimai) ambiguous and we use 遠回しな言い方(=toomawashi na iikata ) round about expressions, sometimes it causes misunderstanding with people who are not familiar with this custom.

For example, you made some business proposal to a company and they say :

•考えておきます。

(=kangaete okimasu)

We’ll think about it.

•少し考えさせて下さい。

（=Sukoshi kangae sasete kudasai.)

Let me(us) think a little. Give us some time to think about it.

•検討させて下さい。

(=Kentou sasete kudasai.)

Let us review/go over this.

As many of language resources might say, it doesn’t always mean they actually think about it, and it could be indirect way of saying “No!” or at least that there is not much of a chance.

We try to avoid saying “No!” to people immediately face to face and tell them we will think about it.

But there are cases when we actually need time to take matters into consideration and say these quotes. So it depends on the situation. I guess we have to observe the speaker’s facial expressions and everything.

Note : Sometimes we add 前向きに(=Maemukini) positively to add more possibility.

•前向きに検討いたします。

（＝Maemuki ni kentou itashimasu.)

We will think about this (and see if we can make this work out).

We also hear the followings in a business situation:

•善処致します。

(=Zensho itashimasu.)

We’ll see what we can do./We will try to deal with the matter in an appropriate manner.

•努力致します。

(=Doryoku itashimasu.)　

We will do our best.

•努力したいと思います。

(=Doryoku shitai to omoimasu.)

We will try to do our best.

OK, after buying some time to decline, finally they may say,

•いろいろ検討したのですが、…

(=Iroiro kentou shita nodesu ga…)

After reviewing ..

•考えさせて頂いたのですが、…

(=Kangaesasete itadaita no desu ga…)

We thought about this but..

•考えたんだけど(=Kangaetan dake do)

I thought about this but… (casual)

They might say things s little bit more clearly,

•やはり今回は難しいという結論に至りました。

(=Yahari konkai wa muzukashii toiu ketsuron ni itarimashita.)

As we had expected, we came to a conclusion that it would be very hard to do/accept this time.

(=This means “NO!“)

You can also finish in the middle of the sentence ;

•大変申し上げにくいのですが、...

(=Taihen moushiagenikui no desu ga)

It is very difficult to tell you but…(=It means “NO!“)

<How to response when you disagree>

It is all matter of intonation.

•そうですねえ…（＝Soudesunee…) Well….

•おっしゃることはわかるのですが…（＝Ossharu koto wa wakaru no desuga…)

I know what you mean but…

If you really want to say it is really difficult to achieve, you can say,

•それはちょっと厳しいですねえ。(=Sore wa chotto kibishii desunee…)

It seems a bit difficult/tight.

<Other 曖昧+ぼかし表現(=aimai +bokashi hyougen) +Ambiguous + obscure expressions>

There are many more words that make our statements purposely ambiguous. I will teach you some of them here and include very slangy expressions.

*こちら／そちら／あちら(=kochira/sochira/achira) I, we, our side/you, they/they

We sometimes omit pronouns and substitute them with こちら(=kochira)/こっち(=kocchi) I, we, our side, more casual, そちら(=sochira)／そっち(=socchi) you, they, more casual, and あちら(=achira)/あっち(=acchi) they more casual

•あちらさんもいろいろ大変みたいですね。

(=Achira san mo iroiro taihen mitai desune.)

They seem to have a lots of problems…

•こちらもちょっと忙しくって…。

(=Kochiramo chotto isogashikutte….)

We(I) have been a bit busy as well and…

•こっちはいいけどそっちはどうなのよ？

(=Kocchi wa iikedo socchi wa dounano?)

We (My side is/I am ) are OK but how about you(them)?

*〜程(~=hodo) Even if you know the precise number, you add 程(=hodo) and make it sound vague.

•一週間旅行に行きました。(=ishuukan ryokou ni ikimashita.)

一週間程旅行に行ってきました。(=isshukan hodo ryokou ni itte kimashita.)

I went traveling for a week.

*〜でも（=~demo)

•お茶を一緒に飲まない？(=Ocha wo issho ni nomanai?)

Do you want to have a cup of tea with me? (=Do you want to go to a coffee shop or something?)

お茶でもどう？(=Ocha demo dou?)

How about having a cup of tea?

•映画に一緒に行きませんか？(=Eiga ni issho ni ikimasenka?) Do you wan to go see a movie with me?

映画でもどう？(=Eiga demo dou?) How about going to see a movie?

〜でも（=~demo) makes your suggestion sound very light.

:h: More colloquial expressions :

The following expressions are very colloquial and many of them are all grammatically wrong but you will hear these often in daily conversation especially among young people.

*〜とか(=~toka) (colloquial)

•彼とデートした？

(=Kare to deito shita?) 

Did you go out with him?

 彼とデートとかした？

(=Kare to deito toka shita?)

So? Did you go out with him or something?

•ドライブに行きませんか？

(=Doraibu ni ikimasen ka?)

Do you want to take a drive somewhere?

ドライブとか行く？

(=Doraibu toka iku?)

How about taking a drive somewhere?

•明日は暇ですか？

(=Ashita wa hima desuka?)

Are you free tomorrow?

明日とか暇？(=Ashita toka hima?) Are you free tomorrow or…?

Usually 〜とか(=~toka) means “etc.”. We use this to make it sound like there are other choices.

You can also use it when you suggest something.

•この方法でやってみるとか(したら？）…(=Kono houhou de yatte miru toka(shitara)…)

How about giving this (way) a try..?

or tell someone what you have assumed.

•この時間は銀行やっていないとか…(=Kono jikan wa ginkou yatteinai toka…)

I have a feeling that the banks are closed around this time…

*〜の方/ほう(=~no hou) (colloquial)

You can hear this at a convenience store or restaurant as well as their way of “formal” Japanese.

•お料理はもうお持ちしてもいいですか？

(=Oryouri wa mou omochi shitemo ii desu ka?)

お料理の方は、もうお持ちしてもいいですか？

(=Oryouri no hou wa mou omochi shite mo ii desu ka?)

May I bring out your dishes now/already?

•お弁当は温めますか？

(=Obentou wa atatame masu ka?)

お弁当のほう、温めますか？(=Obentou no hou atatame masu ka?)

Do you want us to warm up your lunch (food)?

(Please check the coffee shop conversation lesson!)

•結婚生活は上手くいっていますか？

(=Kekkon seikatsu wa umaku itte imasuka.)

結婚生活の方は上手くいっていますか？

(=Kekkon seikatsu no hou wa umaku itte imasuka?)

How is married life?

*的には(=tekiniwa) very colloquial

•私はそう思います。

(=Watashi wa sou omoimasu.)

That’s what I think.

私的にはそう思います。

(=Watashi teki niwa sou omoimasu.)

That’s just what I think.

*マギーはどう思うの？

(=Maggie wa dou omou no?)

What do you think, Maggie?

マギー的にはどう思うの？

(=Maggie teki niwa dou omou no?)

What about you, what do you think, Maggie?

You add 的には(=tekiniwa) to the subject to make it sound softer.

*っていうか(=tte iuka) /つーか(=tsuuka) /てか(=teka) actually very colloquial

•実際のところマギー先生はいい先生なの？

(=Jissai no tokoro maggie sensei wa ii sensei nano?)

Is Ms. Maggie actually a good teacher?

「っていうかさあ、マギー先生はいい先生なの？」

(=Tteiuka saaMaggie sensei wa ii sensei nano?) )

Is Ms.Maggie actually a good teacher? (very casual)

(っ)ていうか(=(t)tteiuka) ／つーか(=tsuuka) てか(=teka) are originally from というか(=toiuka) or rather / rather to say. We use this when we want to take back our words and rephrase them, add something, or deny what someone has just said.

Also we start a sentence with this when we want to explain something,

“What I mean is..”/ ”I mean..”/ “I know what you mean but..”/ “You know..”

or simply when you change the subject like

それはいいけど(=Sore wa iikedo) / それはおいといて..（＝Sore wa oitoite)

I know what you mean but／be that as it may

Ex.っていうか明日どうすんの？

(=tte iuka ashita dousunno?)

That’s fine, but what are you going to do tomorrow?

Ex. 明日、っていうかこれからどうするの？

(=Ashita, tte iuka korekara dousuru no?)

What are you going to do tomorrow, I mean now (that we’ve just talked, etc.)?

*〜みたいな….。(=~mitaina…) like, I think… very colloquial

•彼ももうちょっとがんばればよかったのに..、みたいな…。

(=Kare mo mouchotto ganbareba yokatta noni..mitaina…?)

I mean like..he should have tried a little harder or something…..

(You say this after you express your opinion or feeling and add 〜みたいな….。(=~mitaina…)and finish the sentence.)

マギー先生より(=Maggie sensei yori) From Maggie-sensei

このレッスンの方、どうでしたか？

(=Kono ressun no hou doudeshitaka?)

How did you like this lesson?

「ちょっと」というテーマでしたが、ちっとも「ちょっと」ではなかったですね。

(=”Chotto” toiu teema deshitaga chittomo “chotto” dewa nakatta desune.)

The theme was “Chotto” but it was not “chotto” at all , huh?

私的にはとっても役に立つと思うんだけど…(=Watashi teki niwa tottemo yaku ni tatsu to omoundakedo…)

I personally think it is very useful but…

日本人の話し方の奥深さがわかるみたいな…（=Nihonjin no hanashikata no okufukasa ga wakaru mitainana..)

Like you know..it could help you to understand the depth of the way Japanese people speak..

→自分でも書いていたらちょっとイラっとしてきちゃった...(=Jibun demo kaite itara chotto iratto sihte kichatta..) Umm…somehow I’m getting annoyed by writing this…

「みんな、いつもこのサイトに来てくれて有り難う！」

Minna itsumo kono saito ni kite kurete arigatou!

Thank you, everyone, for always coming to this site!

Today’s lesson is about 有り難う / ありがとう（=arigatou),Thank you!

It is one of my favorite words! :razz:  In this lesson, I will teach you how to express our appreciation properly in Japanese.

****************************************
Let’s check the kanji first.
有り難う

•有る(=aru) means to exist
•難い(=katai/gatai) means to be difficult

So it originally means it is rare or difficult to have something or exist.So not to take it for granted to receive kindness or gifts because it is rare and appreciate it!

Ex. 有り難き幸せ(=arigataki shiawase) (Classic Japanese) To be grateful for you happiness.

→I am very grateful for my happiness.

Adjective : 有り難い(=arigatai)
Let’s see other expression of using 有り難い(=arigatai)

Ex.「有り難い（です）！」

(=Arigatai (desu.)!)

It helped me a lot.

Ex.「有り難いことです。」

（=Arigatai koto desu.)

It was a great help for me. I really appreciate it.

Ex.  有り難いお言葉

(=arigatai okotoba)

thoughtful words

Ex.「お言葉は有り難いのですが…」

(=Okotoba wa arigatai no desu ga..)(set phrase)

I appreciate your thoughtful words but….

•~は有り難い。(=~ wa arigatai) = help me a lot. ~ is a great help for me. I appreciate ~.

Ex. 雨の中、駅まで迎えに来てもらえるのは有り難い。

(=Ame no naka eki made mukae ni kite moraeru nowa arigatai.)_

I appreciate them picking me up at the station in this rainy weather.

•有り難く思う。

(=arigataku omou.)

to appreciate something

•有り難いと思う。

(=arigatai to omou.)

to appreciate something

Ex.  このご時世、仕事があるだけでも有り難く(or 有り難いと)思わなくてはいけない。

(=Kono gojisei, shigoto ga aru dake demo arigataku (arigataito) omowanakuete wa ikenai)

We have to appreciate just being employed these days.

•有り難いことに (=Arigatai koto ni) Thankfully…/Fortunately/Luckily..

Ex. 有り難いことに明日は日曜日だ。

（=Arigatai koto ni ashita wa nichiyoubi da.)

Thanks God, it’s Sunday tomorrow!

Ex. 有り難いことにその時間(に）、まだ銀行がやっていた。

(=Arigatai koto ni sono jikan(ni)  mada ginkou ga yatteita.)

Fortunately, the bank was still open at that time.

The opposite of 有り難い(=arigatai) is

•有り難くない(=arigataku nai.) Not favorable

Ex. こんなものをもらっても有り難くない。

(=Konna mono wo moratte mo arigataku nai.)

It’s hard to feel grateful for a gift like this.

There is also a word, ありがた迷惑(=arigata meiwaku) unwelcome favor, intrusive kindness

Ex. 一人暮らしなのにこんなに一杯の食べ物をもらってもありがた迷惑だ。

(=Hitori gurashi nanoni konnani ippai no tabemono wo moratte mo arigata meiwaku da.)

I live alone and so it’s actually hard to feel grateful for getting all this unwanted food. (Thanks for nothing!)

****************************************

OK, now we will lean how to say thank you in Japanese.

•有り難う / ありがとう(=Arigatou) Thank you!

You can use both kanji and hiragana.

More polite:
「有り難うございます。」

(=Arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you so much.

The past tense for 有り難うございます。(=Arigatou gozaimasu.) is 有り難うございました。(=Arigatou gozaimashita.)

Ex.先日は、有り難うございました。

(=Senjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you very much for the other day.

But let’s imagine you are invited to a party and you want to thank the host at the entrance before the party starts, what would you say?

In this case you can say either,

Ex. 今日は、お招き頂き有り難うございます。

(=Kyou wa omaneki itadaki arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for inviting me today.

or

Ex. 今日は、お招き頂き有り難うございました。

(=Kyou wa omaneki itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for having invited me today.

When you leave the party, you should say ~ございました。(=gozaimashita.)

ありがとう/有り難う(=Arigatou) can be used both for the present and past situation.

Ex. この間は、ありがとう。(=Kono aida wa arigatou)

Thanks for the other day!

Ex. この間は、ありがと（う）ね。(=Kono aida wa arigato(u)ne.)

Thanks for the other day!

Thank you,too! in Japanese is:

•こちらこそ！(=Kochirakoso) Thank you,too!

•こちらこそ、有り難う！(=Kochirakoso arigatou)

Thank you, too!

******************************************
Basic pattern

*Thank you for +(giving me/us)+  object

*object (tangible/intangible) + をくれて, etc.+ 有り難う/有り難うございます。(=object +wo kurete+  arigatou/arigatougozaimasu.)

*object (tangible/intangible) + を下さって/頂き, etc + 有り難うございました。(=object+ wo kudasatte／itadaki, etc. + arigatou gozaimashita.) past tense

Ex. 素敵なプレゼントを下さって有り難うございます。

=Sutekina purezento  wo kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.

=Thank you for giving me  the nice present!

Ex 貴重なお時間を頂き／さいて頂き有り難うございました。

=Kichou na ojikan wo itadaki/saite itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.(formal)
Thank you for giving us(or sharing us) your precious time.

Ex. 先日は、貴重なもの*を頂き、どうも有り難うございました。

(=Senjitsu wa kichou na mono wo itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)
Thank you for giving me the precious things the other day.

*Variation :

•珍しいもの(=mezurashii mono) something rare

•美味しいもの(=oishii mono)  something delicious

•結構なもの(=kekkou na mono) something really nice

Note : A lot of time we omit  an object particle “を(=wo) ＋the main verb ” such as くれる(=kureru), 頂く(= itadaku), etc. in conversation.

Ex. 応援、ありがとう

= Ouen arigatou!

= Thank you for your support!

Omitting the particles often happen in conversation. But some just leave を(=wo)  in the sentence and omit  the main verb , くれる(=kureru) 頂く(=itadaku)= giving etc..

object + を+ ありがとう(=wo + arigatou) “Thank you for (something) ”

Ex. 美味しいケーキをありがとう。

= Oishii keiki wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the delicious cake!

(originally)

美味しいケーキをくれてありがとう。

= Oishii keiki wo kurete arigatou.

= Thank you for giving me the delicious cake.

This を(=wo) is an object marker for the main verb(くれる=kureru) and not the object for Thank you.

Ex. 素敵なプレゼントをありがとう

=Sutekina purezento (wo) arigatou

= Thank you for the wonderful present.

(originally)

素敵なプレゼントを頂き or 下さって、ありがとう

=Sutekina purezento (wo) itadaki or kudasatte arigatou

= Thank you for giving me the wonderful present.

Ex. 貴重なお時間をありがとうございました。

= Kichou na ojikan wo arigatougozaimashita.

= Thank you for your valuable time.

(originally)

Ex. 貴重なお時間を頂き or さいて頂き、有り難うございました

=Kichou na ojikan wo itadaki, or saite itadaki arigatougozaimashtia.

= Thank you for sharing your valuable time.

Since you omit the main verb, just leaving the particle を(=wo) in the sentence is considered to be grammatically wrong. Still we use this sentence pattern often to emphasize the object.

However  you need to be careful because sometimes it sounds unnatural.

!BUBU! Not natural!  これをありがとう

= Kore wo arigatou

これ（をくれて）ありがとう

= Kore (wo kurete) arigatou!

When not to omit を(=wo) :

You might have seen these types of dramatic lines from the titles of songs or advertisements after big  events such as sports events, concert, etc.

(A lot of times, they are talking abut intangible objects here.)

Ex. 夢(or 感動）をありがとう！

= Yume (or kandou) wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the dreams (moving us) .

(orig) 夢を与えてくれてありがとう！

= Yume wo ataete kurete arigatou!

= Thank you for giving us dreams.

Ex.いい思い出をありがとう！

= Ii omoide wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the  nice memories!

(orig) いい思い出を作ってくれてありがとう！

= Thank you for making the nice memories.

= Ii omoide wo tsukutte kurete arigatou!

Ex. すてきな時間をありがとう！

= Sutekina jikan wo arigatou!

= Thank you for the wonderful time!

(orig) すてきな時間を作ってくれてありがとう！

= Sutekina jikan wo tsukutte kurete arigatou!

= Thank you for creating wonderful time!

It would be strange if you omit を(=wo) in these types of phrases.

*Verb + くれて＋ありがとう(=verb + kurete+ arigatou)

•来る(=kuru) to come→来て(=kite)

→来てくれてありがとう。(=Kite kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for coming.

•教える(=oshieru) to teach→教えて(=oshiete)

→教えてくれてありがとう。(=Oshiete kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for teaching (me).

•手伝う(=tetsudau) to help →手伝って(=tetsudatte)

→手伝ってくれてありがとう。(=Tetsudatte kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for helping (me).

•誘う(=sasou) to invite →誘って(=sasotte)

→誘ってくれ てありがとう。(=Sasotte kurete arigatou.)

Thank you for inviting.

Note : Typical mistake

Ex. Incorrect 美味しい料理を作ってもらってありがとう。

(=Oishii ryouri wo tsukutte moratte arigatou.)

Correct 美味しい料理を作ってくれて有り難う。(=Oishii ryouri wo tsukutte kurete arigatou)
Thank you for making delicious meal!

Please check the くれる lesson for more!

More formal:

Verb + 下さって+ありがとうございます。(=verb + kudasatte+arigatou gozaimasu.)

•教える(=oshiete) to teach→教えて(=oshiete)

→教えて下さってありがとうございます。

(=Oshiete kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.)

Thank you so much for teaching (me).

•作る(=tsukuru) to make →作って(=tsukutte)

→作って下さって有り難うございます。

(=Tsukutte kudasatte arigatougozaimasu.)

Thank you so much for making (it for me.)

Another formal pattern:

verb + し/て+頂きありがとうございます。

(=verb+sh/te + itadaki+arigatou gozaimasu.)

•来る(=kuru) to come→(polite form) お越し(=okoshi)

→お越し頂き有り難うございます。

(=Okoshi itadaki arigatougozaimasu.)

Thank you for coming.

Note: We also say いらして下さって(=irashite kudasatte)

Ex. お足元が悪い中、わざわざお超し頂き有り難うございました。

(=Oashi moto ga warui naka wazawaza okoshi itadaki arigatougozaimashita.) very formal
Thank you so much for coming in this bad weather.

Note : 足元が悪い(=Ashimoto ga warui) 　足元(=ashimoto) means under foot which means ground. When it rains, the ground gets wet and muddy and makes it hard to walk.
So this expression shows appreciation towards a person who has come a long way in bad weather.

•買う(=kau) to buy →買い上げする(=Okaiage suru) to buy out

→お買い上げ頂く(=Okaiage itadaku) to buy (very formal)

→お買い上げ頂き有り難うございました。

（＝Okaiage itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for buying.

Ex. 本製品をお買い上げ頂きまして誠にありがとうございました。

(=Honseihin wo okaiage itadakimashite makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.)
You will see this phrase in any instruction manual for products you’ve bought.

Other formal set phrases which use 頂く(=itadaku) :

Ex. ご来店頂きまして、誠にありがとうございます。

(=Goraiten itadakimashite makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu.) formal
Thank you for coming to our store.
(You will hear this announcement in big department stores.)

Ex. 御配慮頂きまして有り難うございました。

(=Gohairyo itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita) very polite

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
(We hear or see this phrase in a formal or business situations.)

Ex. お骨折り頂きまして有り難うございました。

(=Ohoneori itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita.) very polite

Thank you very much for your hard work.

Note : 骨折る(=honeoru) literally means to break one’s bone. Conversationally it means to trouble, to do hard and tough work.

********************************
To emphasize thank you, you add, どうも(=doumo)、本当に(-hontouni)、心から(=kokorokara) in front.

Thank you very much.

•どうも有り難う。

(=Doumo arigatou.)  casual

•どうも有り難うございます。

(=Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.)  polite

•どうも有り難うございました。

(=Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you very much.

•本当にありがとう。

(=Hontou ni arigatou.) casual

•本当にありがとうございます。

(=Hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu.) polite

•本当にありがとうございました。

(=Hontou ni arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you for everything.

•いろいろ有り難う。

(=Iroiro arigatou.) casual

•いろいろ有り難うございます。

(=Iroiro arigatou gozaimasu.)  polite

•いろいろ有り難うございました。

(=Iroiro arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you for your kindness.

•ご親切に有り難うございます。

(=Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.)  polite

•ご親切に有り難うございました。

(=Goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimashita.) polite in past tense

Thank you for the other day

•先日は有り難うございました。

(=Senjitsu wa arigatougozaimashita.) polite

•その節は有り難うございました。

(=Sono setsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.) polite

Culture note : If you have receive a gift, it is considered to be polite to say thank you to the person who gave it to you the next time you see them as well.

If you really appreciate it, you can combine them.

Ex. 本当にいろいろ有り難うございました。

(=Hontou ni iroiro arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you so much for everything.

Ex. ご親切にどうも有り難うございました。

(=Goshinsetsu ni doumo arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you so much for your kindness.

<感謝>（=kansha) appreciation

verb : 感謝する(=kansha suru) to appreciate

I appreciate 〜)

•(〜に)感謝しています。(=(~ ni) kansha shite imasu.)

•(〜に)感謝しております。(=(~ ni) kansha shite ori imasu.) more polite

You can add 本当に(=hontouni) very much, truly , 心から(=kokoro kara) sincerely, 深く(=fukaku) deeply in front to emphasize your appreciation.

Ex. この度のことは、本当に感謝しております。

（=Konotabi no koto wa hontou ni kansha shite orimasu.)

I really appreciate you regarding this issue.

Ex.感謝の気持ちで一杯です。

(=Kansha no kimochi de ippai desu.)

I feel very grateful.

Ex.(〜に)深く感謝しています/おります。

（=(~ni) fukaku kansha shite imasu/orimasu.)

I deeply appreciate it.

*I appreciate sincerely (for…)

Ex.心より（or から）感謝しています。/おります。

(=kokoro yori/kara kansha shite imasu./orimasu)  polite

Ex. ご親切、心から感謝しております。

(=Goshinsetsu kokoro kara kansha shite orimasu.)

I sincerely appreciate your kindness.

Ex. 御好意 に、心より感謝しております。

(=Gokoui ni kokoro yori  kansha shite orimasu.)

I sincerely appreciate your doing me a favor.

There is also a word, 深謝（=shinsha) deep appreciation (very formal)

verb form:深謝する(=shinsha suru)

Ex. この件では、ご尽力を頂き深謝しております。

（Konoken dewa gojinryoku wo itadaki shinsha shite orimasu.)
I truly appreciate your had work for this matter.

Ex.感謝の言葉もありません。（=Kansha no kotoba mo arimasen.) “I can’t thank enough.”

<御礼>（=orei)

Ex.心より（or 心から）御礼申し上げます。

(=kokoro yori/kara orei moushiagemasu.) very polite (You will hear or see this in public speeches or formal letters.)
I would like to thank you from the the bottom of my heart.

Ex.「何と御礼を申し上げたらいいやら。」

(=Nanto orei wo moushiagete iiyara)

I don’t know how to thank you.

<How to say thank you in special occasions.>

*When someone treats you, you say,

•御馳走様でした。(=Gochisou sama deshita.)

Thank you for the meal.

•御馳走様でした。美味しかったです。

(=Gochisou sama deshita. Oishikatta desu.)

Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.

Also if you receive some food, you can tell them how yummy it was later.

Ex. この間頂いた、ケーキ、本当に美味しかったです。御馳走様でした。
(=Kono aida itadaita keiki hontou ni oishikatta desu. Gochisou sama deshita.

Thank you for the cake the other day. It was delicious!

*If someone took care of you, you say,

•お世話になりました。(=Osewani narimashita.)

Note : We say お世話になります。(=Osewani narimasu.) before you anticipate someone will do you a favor or take care of you. Thank you in advance.

Also we say:

•宜しくお願いします。

（=Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.) polite

•宜しくお願い致します。

(=Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.) more polite

•よろしくね。

(=Yoroshiku ne) casual

*If someone comes all the way to your place (from somewhere fairly faraway) you can say,

Ex.わざわざお越し頂き、有り難うございました。

(=Wazawaza okoshi itadaki arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you for coming all the way.

Ex. ご足労をおかけ致しました。

(=Gosokurou wo okake itashimashita.)

Thank you for coming despite all the trouble.

*If you trouble someone or make someone work for you, you say;

Ex. お手数をおかけしました。

(=Otesuu wo okake shimashita.)

Sorry for your trouble.

<Formal occasions, formal letters, business situation,etc.>

In a very formal situation or formal business letter:

Ex.毎度お引き立て有り難うございます。

(=Maido ohikitate arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for your loyal patronage.

Ex.まことに有り難うございました。

(=Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.)

Thank you very much.

真に／誠に→まことに In business letters, we are supposed to use hiragana.

Ex.平素は格別のご愛顧を賜り厚く御礼申し上げます。

(=Heiso wa kakubetsu no goaiko wo tamawari atsuku orei moushiagemasu.)
We would like to express our gratitude for yourloyal patronage and support .(formal business letter)

<Simple way to say thank you besides saying ありがとう(=arigatou)>

We often say “I’m sorry” instead of saying “Thank you.” in Japanese to show that we feel bad about receiving.

*すみません。(=Sumimasen) I am sorry. →Thank you.

Ex. 「いつもすみません。」

(=Itsumo sumimasen.)

I am sorry to trouble you all the time. →Thank you always!

Ex.どうもすみません。

(=Doumo sumimasen.)

I am very sorry. →Thank you so much. (I feel bad..)

*申し訳ないです。(=Moushiwake nai) I am so sorry. I feel terrible.

Ex. いつも頂くばかりで申し訳ないです。

(=Itsumo itadaku bakari de moushiwake nai desu.)

I really feel bad for always receiving things from you.

When someone does something for you or give you something, you receive it saying,

Ex. 恐れいります。(=Osore irimasu.)

Thank you. I am grateful. (Sounds very humble)

Ex. 恐縮です。(=Kyoushuku desu.)

Thank you. I am grateful. (Sounds very humble)

You can also say these when someone give you compliments instead of saying Thank you.

Go check my 恐れいります(=osore irimasu) lesson.

<Bring up a person who does a favor for you.>

•ご親切に(=Goshinsetsu ni)You are so sweet. That’s very nice of you.

Ex.  それは、ご親切に有り難うございます。

(=Sorewa goshinsetsu ni arigatou gozaimasu.)

That’s very nice of you. Thank you!

•御丁寧に  You are so polite

Ex.御丁寧に有り難うございます。

(=Goteinei ni arigatou gozaimasu.)

Thank you for your politeness/courtesy.

•お陰様で。(=Okage sama de)

Thanks to God,thanks to yo.

(In many cases, it has nothing to do with you but they say that anyway to be polite.)

Ex. 「もうお体よくなられたんですか？」

(=Mou okarada yoku nararetan desu ka?)

You feel better now?

「はい、お陰様で。」

(=Hai, okage sama de)

Yes, thanks to you.(Or Thanks to God!)

Ex. A:「御結婚、おめでとうございます。」

(=Gokekon omedetou gozaimasu.)

Congratulations on the wedding.

B:「お陰様で、ありがとうございます。」

(=Okage sama de arigatou ogzaimasu.)

Thanks to you! (or Thanks to God!)

Ex.おかげさまで合格致しました。有り難うございます。

(=Okage sama de goukaku itashimashita.)

Thanks to you (or God) I got passed the exam.

Ex.お陰様で無事に退院することが出来ました。本当に有り難うございました。

(=Okagesama de buji ni taiin suru koto ga dekimashita. Hontou ni arigatougozaimahista.)

Thanks to you (God), I (or someone in my family) was discharged from the hospital without any problems.

I really appreciate it.

Ex. 私がここまでやってこられましたのも皆様のご尽力があってこそです。

(=Watashi ga koko made yatte koraremashita o mo  minasama no gojinryoku ga atte koso desu.)

I would really appreciate all the help and support everyone has provided so far. (I owe you a lot.)

  ＜御礼＞(=orei) Thank you

•御礼を言う(=orei wo iu) to say thank you

Ex.お世話になった人に御礼を言いたい。

(=Osewani natta hito ni orei wo iitai.)

I would like to express my appreciation to a person who has taken care of me.

•御礼を申し上げる(=Orei wo moushiageru) To say thank you. (polite)

Ex. 皆様の御協力に心から御礼申し上げます。

(=Minasama no gokyouryoku ni kokoro kara orei moushiagemasu.)

We are sincerely grateful for all your cooperation.

Ex. 重ねて御礼申し上げます。

(=Kasanete orei moushiagemasu.)

We would like to say thank you again.

Ex. 厚く御礼申し上げます。

(=Atsuku moushiagemasu.)

We are extremely grateful.

Cultural note: Thank you gift is also called 御礼(=orei)

In some occasions we give a present to a person who did a favor for us to show our appreciation.
In casual situation we don’t put any label but if it is formal, we put a label which says 御礼(=orei)
If you give some money, put the money in a white envelope and write 御礼(=orei) .
We sometimes put thanks money, including some lesson fee in an envelope marked as 御礼(=orei).

<How to receive gifts or favor>

In many cases you can just say thank you and receive a gift but there is a certain case that you should be more polite. Here’s how.

If someone offers you a gift, you can reject it once lightly as a formality,

Ex.いえいえ、そんなことをして頂いたら（困ります。）

(=Ieie, sonna koto wo shite itadaitara komarimasu.)

Oh no.no…I would be in trouble if you do such a thing.→You don’t need to do that.

Ex.その様なご心配はもうなさらないで下さい。

(=Sonoyou na goshinnpai wa mou nasaranai de kudasai.)

Please don’t worry about that.

Ex.もうそんなことは(なさらないで下さい。）

(=Mou sonnna koto wa (nasaranai de kudasai.))

Please don’t do such a thing.

Ex.もうそんなご心配は（なさらないで下さい。）

(=Mou sonnna goshinpai wa (nasaranai de kudasai.)

Please don’t worry about that.

Ex.その様なことをして頂いたら却って申し訳ないです。

(=Sonoyou na koto wo shite itadaitara kaette moushiwake nai desu.)

I would feel terrible if you did that.

OK, enough! Now you take it!! But be polite! :D

Ex.そうですか？それではお言葉に甘えて…

(=Soudesu ka? Soredewa okotoba ni amaete..)

If you insist, well, then I will allow myself to accept…

Ex.それでは遠慮なく頂戴致します。申し訳ありません。

(Sorede wa enryo naku choudai itashimasu. Mushiwake arimasen.)

OK, in that case, I will take it without any hesitation. Thank you so much.

Ex. いつも頂くばかりですみません。

(=Itsumo itadaku bakari de sumimasen.)

I feel bad because I always receive things from  you.

Note : If you really are the one who’s always taking, go check お返し(=okaeshi) culture in my Valentine’s lesson!

The simple way to say thank you is, just express your happiness.

•「嬉しい！！」(=Ureshii)

I’m so happy!(casual)

•「嬉しいです。」(=Ureshii desu.)

I’m so happy! (more polite)

•「こんなの欲しかったの！」(=Konnano hoshikattano!)

I was just looking for a thing like this. It’s perfect! (casual)

•「丁度、こういうのが欲しかったのです。」

(=Choudo kouiu no ga shoshikatta nodesu.)

I just wanted a thing like this. It’s perfect! (more polite)

•「助かるなあ。」(=Tasukaru naa)

It’s a great help! (casual)

•「助かるわ。」(=Tasukaru wa)

It’s a great help! (casual/ for women)

•「助かります。」(=Tasukarimasu.)

It’s a great help. (more polite.)

And, of course, don’t forget to say 「ありがとう！」 （＝arigatou) Thank you! It’s a magic word!

<How do you response when someone says thank you to you>

•どういたしまして。

(=Douitashimashite.)

You’re welcome!

•いえいえ、とんでもない（です）。

(=Ieie tondemo nai(desu))

Don’t mention it. You don’t need to thank me.

•いいえ、お互い様です。

(=Iie otagai sama desu.)

The feeling (of thanks) is mutual.

•お役に立てれば嬉しいです。

(=Oyaku ni tatereba ureshii desu.)

I will be happy to be of service to you.

•お役に立てて 嬉しいです。

(=Oyaku ni tatereba ureshii desu.)

I am glad to be of service to you.

•いいえ、こちらこそいつもお世話になってばかりで..。

(=Iie kochirakoso itsumo osewa ni natte bakari de…)

I’m the one who should be thanking you. (I owe you a lot.)

•いいえ、少しだけですが。

(=Iie sukoshi dake desu ga..)

No, it is just a small token.

•つまらないものですが。

(=Tsumaranai mono desu ga)

This is small something.

•気持だけです。

(=Kimochi dake desu.)

It’s just small thing.

•ほんの気持です。

（=Honno kimochi desu.)

It’s just small thing.

You have to be modest. For further information, Go check 謙遜レッスン！

From the pic. above.

「みんな、いつもこのサイトに来てくれてありがとう！」

(=Minna itsumo kono saito ni kite kurete arigatou!)

Thank you, everyone, for always coming to this site!

 マギー先生より(=Maggie sensei yori) From Maggie-Sensei

みなさん、このブログを支えてくれて有り難う！(=Minasan kono burogu wo sasaete kurete

arigatou!) Thank you, everyone, for supporting this blog!

皆が、時々コメントに書いてくれる「ありがとう」の一言が本当に嬉しくて続けています。

(=Minaga tokidoki komento ni kaite kureru “Arigatou” no hitokoto ga hontou ni ureshikute tsuzukte imasu.)

Your “Thank you” message in a comment would make me very happy and I’ll be able to happily continue these lessons!

今日はマギーから一杯のありがとう！！(=Kyou wa Maggie kara ippai no arigatou!)

Today I will send you lots of “Thank you!”

「あなたの特技はなんですか？」

=Anata no tokugi wa nan desu ka?

=So what are you good at?

!ase! 「ええと..、犬の散歩です。」

=Eeto…, inu no sanpo desu.

=Well… walking dogs.

Hi, everyone!! It has been a long time since I posted a long lesson on here, but I have been busy posting Mini Lessons almost everyday. Hope you’ve been checking them out!

OK, today’s lesson is about 就活=shukatsu. Job hunting!

It’s an abbreviation of 就職活動=shushoku katsudou, job hunting, job searching. Shortening words is a common practice here.

(Note : Remember I taught you this word before?

婚活=konkatsu? If not, go check 婚活Lesson! )

*就=しゅう／つくshuu/tsuku: to move in, to fill (the job)

*職=しょく shoku : job

就職： to be employed

*活=かつ／いかす、いきる,katsu/ikasu, ikiru：to move actively

*動=どう／うごく,dou/ugoku：to move

活動=katsudou ：activity

就活, shuu katsu

<The verb form>

*就活をする=shuukatsu wo suru(colloquial)

→就職活動をする=shuushoku katsudou wo suru,

=to look for a job

*就活に入る=shukatsu ni hairu (colloquial)

→就職活動に入る=shuushoku katsudou ni hairu

=to begin the process of looking for a job (usually while still in school)

<The reason why I wanted to make this lesson>

Unlike many other countries, there are lots of complicated formalities in Japan to go through the procedure of job hunting.

We have received resumes from all over the world and had interviewed some of them in the past. I’ve been very surprised at the resumes and interviews we’ve had. For example, many people sent us very casual snapshots attached to their resumes — a snapshot of themselves that they took at Disney Land, smiling, making the peace sign, dressed all too casually in a t-shirt and jeans or even tank top, etc. Some of the pictures used were originally taken with their friends or sweethearts. They just cut out their face and used that section. Pictures like these are unheard of on Japanese resumes.

Another thing that struck me was that many of them asked about such things as salaries, holidays or vacations almost as soon as the interview started! That is a definite no-no in Japan! That’s one of the many taboos in the Japanese job hunting world.

In this lesson, we’ll examine the most common aspects of the job hunting process, including proper manners and useful language.

Although foreigners in Japan often get their jobs in different ways and use different routes, it is always considered a plus to be polite, and first impressions matter much more than you might think in Japan.

If you are thinking about trying to get a job, at least keep some of the things you’ve learned here in mind. And for those of you who do not plan on getting a job in Japan, we hope it will be a good cultural and language study!

Here we go!

<When and how to get a job in Japan>

A lot of companies hire young people who have just graduated from the school as permanent employees.

There are actually more chances to get a proper job while you are in school. So, many University students start

就活=shuukatsu, job hunting activities in their junior year. More important to Japanese companies than experience is a young recruit’s youth, freshness and potential.

•新卒=shinsotsu, recently graduated

⇔既卒=kisotsu, already graduated

→新卒採用=shinsotsu saiyou, hiring of new graduates

*採用=saiyou=hiring

→今年は採用ゼロ=kotoshi wa saiyou zero=to have no plans to hire anybody this year

(It has been getting very tough for students to find a job.)

Note: Many companies also hire mid-career employees,

中途採用=chuuto saiyou＝mid-career employment, intermediary recruitment

In this case, their experiences and abilities do matter, 経験/能力重視=keiken/nouryoku juushi, to value one’s experiences and abilities.

Now back to the job hunting by students. Each University has 就職課=shuushokuka, a section to support their students providing a guidance to get a job, employment bureau.

We have to decide more or less which direction we want to go in or what line of work we want while we are still students.

•メーカー=meeka, makers

•業界=gyoukai, market, business world

•金融業=kinyou, finance business, bank business

•製造業=seizou gyou, manufacturing industry

•サービス業=saabisugyou, service industry

•公務員=koumuin, government servant

•マスコミ=masukomi=media

•商社=shousha=commercial firm, trading company

Then, after we decide, we visit a company that is recruiting personnel. Many companies offer a,

会社説明会=kaisha setsumei kai, employment-explanation meetings

Students visit the companies they are interested in,

会社(or 企業）訪問=kaisha(or kigyou) houmon,

to visit a company (firm, enterprise) where you are interested in working

and collect information about that company to narrow down their choices.

会社案内=kaisha annai=company brochures

or they visit their 先輩=senpai, seniors

OB、OG訪問=OB, OG houmon

→ OB=old boys, OG=old girls

→訪問＝houmon=visiting

to visit the students who have graduated from the same school and work for the company you are interested in.

After you visit the company or your 先輩=senpai, “seniors“, do not to forget to send them, a “thank-you” note to thank them for their time.

御礼状=oreijou, thank you letter

When you visit a company, you have to dress appropriately

リクルートファッション=rikuruuto fasshion, business suits for job hunting

→就活スーツ(colloquial) =shuukatsu suutsu

Basically you should wear nice business suits. The color should be either, black, dark blue, or gray.

Some students change their hair color from their dyed 茶髪 (=chapatsu) brown hair to 黒髪(=kurokami), black hair, just for the job interview. If you dye your hair blond like Honda or Nakata (well known soccer players) they may doubt your seriousness. :h:

After getting over the standard hurdles of job interviews and tests, a company may want to hire you. If so, they’ll give you,

内定=naitei=informal job offer

→内定が決まる/内定をもらう

=naitei ga kimaru/naitei wo morau

=to get an informal job offer

(The translation is “informal” but it’s actually almost an official offer)

•就職が決まる

=shushoku ga kimaru

=to get a job officially

If you are lucky, you will get more than one or two offers from different companies. Not getting any 内定=naitei, informal job offer, is called

→内定ゼロ

=naitei zero

=“Zero” job offer→no job offer

Recently due to the recession, even if you think a job is in the bag, you shouldn’t count your proverbial chickens yet. Some companies may end up turning you down at the last minute! This is called,

内定取り消し

=naitei torikeshi

=cancellation of the job offer.

Since there are more chances to get a job while you are still a student, some students who get 内定ゼロ=naitei zero (no job offers) intentionally fail school and wait one more year in the hope their luck will improve the following year.

→就職留年

=shuushoku ryuunen

And those who graduate from the school without getting a job are called ,

→就職浪人

=shuushoku rounin,

= graduated into unemployment

If you’re not a student and are looking for a job or looking to change jobs, we say you are,

•就職先を探す

=shuushoku saki wo sagasu,

to look for a job

•転職先を探す

=tenshoku saki wo sagasu,

to look to change one’s current job

•転職（する）

=tenshoku(suru),

to change the job

To do this you check,

求人広告=kyuujin koukoku, the classified ads.

求人情報=kyuujin jyouhou, the classified ads information

(求人=kyuujinn, want personnel →employment offers)

in 新聞(=shinbun) newspaper or 雑誌=zasshi, magazines, インターネット=intaanetto, internet, or go to

職業安定所=shokugyou anteijyo, employment security office to get information.

(→(abbreviations) 職安=shokuan or , ハローワーク=harou waaku, now.)

Or go to

人材派遣会社=jinzai haken gaisha=temporary-employment agency, staffing company and register.

*人材派遣=jinzai haken, temporary staff company

*派遣社員=haken shain, temp staff

→(colloquial) ハケン=haken, temp staff.

Ex.　私はハケンです。=Watashi wa haken desu. ,I’m a temp staff.

*派遣に登録する = haken ni touroku suru, to register

**********************************************************

Here is a list of basic “job hunting” vocabulary.

<Basic Vocabulary>

•会社=kaisha, company

•企業=kigyou, firm, enterprise

•人材募集=jinzai boshuu, seeking personnel, recruitment of personnel

•～求む=~motomu, seeking~, looking for~

•リクルーター=rikuruutaa, recruiter, a person who are in charge of hiring new people

•リクルート=rikuruuto=recruit

Note : There is a company called リクルート=rikuruuto who publishes トラバーユ=torabaayu, a major job searching magazine. (The magazine name came from a French word, travail, work. You might have heard a verb とらばーゆする/トラバーユする=torabaayu suru, for changing career in past. It is a bit old fashioned now.

;-) Click here to see this “とらばーゆ” video by Heeton (a guest sensei on Gimmeaflakeman’s “Japanese for Morons” series.) sing with him and come back!

•最終学歴(=saishuu gakureki) the latest/the last academic academic credential that you have.

•大卒=daisotsu←大学卒業=daigaku sotsugyou, a college graduate

•高卒=kousotsu←高校卒業=koukou sotsugyou, a high school graduate

•中卒=chuusotsu←中学卒業=koukou sotsugyou, a junior high graduate

They used to indicate the age limit on the ads, but it’s illegal to do that now.

Also it is prohibited to specify the gender by 男女雇用機会均等法=danjo koyou kikai kinotuhou, Law for Equal Employment Opportunity of Men and Women.

•雇用形態=koyou keitai, employment system

•社員=shain, company staff

•正社員=seishain, permanent employee

•契約社員=keiyaku shain, contract employee

•終身雇用, shushin koyou, life employment

•フルタイム=furu taimu, full time

•パートタイム=paato taimu, part time

•アルバイト=arubaito, part time (job)

(We use the word, フリーター =furiitaa, to refer job-hopping part-timers)

•条件=jouken, conditions

•給与=kyuuyo, salary

•基本給=kihonkyuu, basic salary

•月給=gekyuu, monthly salary

•日給=nikyuu, daily wage

•時給=jikyuu, per-hour wages

•賞与=shouyo, bonus

•税引(き)前=zeibiki mae, before (reducing) tax

•税引(き)後=zeibiki go, after (reducing) tax

•福利厚生=fukuri kousei, benefit package, welfare program

•~手当=teate, perquisite, allowance

•時間外勤務手当=jikangai kinmu teate, pay for the hour of overtime duties

•残業手当=zangyou teate, overtime pay, extra payment for overtime

•住宅手当=jyutaku teate, housing allowance

•家族手当=kazoku teate, dependent family allowance

•特別手当=tokubetsu teate, special allowance

•教育制度=kyouiku seido, education system

•社員旅行=shain ryokou, company trip

•休暇=kyuuka, work holiday

•育児休暇=ikuji kyuuka, maternity leave

•休日出勤=kyuujitu shukkin, work on holidays

•有給休暇=yuukyuu kyuuka, paid holiday

•交通費支給=koutuuhi shikyuu, pay for the transportation

•交通費込み=koutsuuhi komi, includes transportation fee

Note : You might see these words with the conditions

有り/有（=ari), with

無し/無 (=nashi), without, No ~

込み（=komi), included

•フレックスタイム制度=furekusu taimu seido, flexible working hours system

•入社試験=nyuusha shiken, employment exam

(入社(する）=nyuusha(suru), to join a company

•新人社員研修=shinyuu shain kenshuu, training of new company staff

•退職金=taishoku, retirement allowance

•失業保険=shitsugyou, unemployment compensation insurance

•勤務時間=kinmu jikan, working hours

•勤務地=kinmuchi, work location

•転勤=tenkin, job relocation

•職種=shokushu, types of job

•事務職=jimu shoku, clerical staff/job

•一般職=ippan shoku, general office employee

•管理職=kanri shoku, administrative position

•総合職=sougou shoku, main career track

•仕事内容=shigoto naiyou, description of job

•経理=keiri, accounting

•営業=eigyou, sales

•総務=soumu, general affairs

•人事=jinji, personnel

•販売/営業=hanbai/eigyou, sales

**********************************************************

When you apply for a job, you have to prepare,

履歴書=rirekisho, resume

<How to write 履歴書=rirekisho, resume>

We have specific formats for resume. So you have to fill them out nicely by hand.

You can buy these resume forms at stationary stores.

Since you have to fill them out by hand, you have to write carefully so as to not make mistakes. I use blue ink but use black ink, and avoid using white-out!

(Again this information is to tell you how the typical Japanese job hunting procedure works so this is just for your information. The application procedure may differ from company to company. Language schools or companies who are actively looking to hire foreigners don’t expect you to do follow the Japanese way. They will most likely attempt to adopt the Western way.)

Here is my example resume. The information in my sample resume below is usually something considered super confidential, but for you, my loyal readers, I am willing to make sacrifices and share it with you today. :D

(Don’t copy the blue letters! They only work for me! )

Picture:

As I mentioned above, your picture tells them what kind of person you are. If you use a casual picture, they will think you are not a serious applicant for the job. If you are a man, wear a suit and necktie. If you are woman, wear suit or plain blouse and skirt. If you are a dog, make sure to visit the dog salon first and get nice and groomed. :D And no tank tops! We usually don’t use pictures of ourselves smiling for resume pics. Avoid using instant pictures. The picture should be of the upper part of your body and head against a solid background. Write your name on the back before you seal it on the resume.

Years :

平成１８年(=heisei juuhachi nen )

和暦 A Japanese calendar based on the imperial year

２００７年(=nisen nana nen)

西暦 Western calendar

FYI 2010年(=nisen juunen) is 平成２２年(=heisei nijuu ni nen) !

Click here to convert your birth year to the Japanese system!

The order of information:

You have to write your personal data in chronological order.

学歴=gakureki, academic credentials

Write the name of the school you went to, including the year + the month you (entered and) graduated from. Some people write their elementary school name as well. I omitted the year and month I entered school but some suggested that you should write them from high school and up to your latest school.

△△大学卒業=△△daigaku sotsugyou, Graduated from △△ University

職歴=shokureki, employment history

The name of the company and the section where you worked including the year and the month you joined or left. Also briefly describe what kind of work you were responsible for.

•入社=nyuusha, to join the company

•退社=taisha, to leave the company

•一身上の都合で退社=isshin jou no tsugou de taisha, to quit a job for personal reasons

→very convenient phrase used to keep the reason you left an company vague like I actually left the company because I had a big fight with a cat.

If you leave a company too soon (like me!) or you have been changing  job too much, they may think you are not responsible person.

資格=shikaku, qualifications, certifications

Typical Japanese qualifications:

•簿記=boki, bookkeeping

→Ex. 日本商工会議所主催商業簿記検定試験~級,

Nihon shoukou kaigisho shusai shougyou boki kentei shiken ~ kyuu

•英検〜級=eiken〜kyuu　←実用英語技能検定~級,jitsuyou eigo ginou kentei〜kyuu,

STEP test ~ grade＝Society for Testing English Proficiency

(Pretty common exam in Japan to certify one’s English ability)

•漢字検定〜級=kanji kentei〜kyu, kanji test〜grade

免許=menkyo, license

•中型自動車第一種運転免許=chuugata jidousha daiisshu unten menkyo,

driving license for a mid-sized car

→Having a driver’s license is a job qualification in Japan!

Note : You add 取得=shutoku, received after the license or certification’s name.

Ex. ~免許＝~menkyo, license, 〜資格=~shikaku, certification+ 取得=shutoku, acquired, received

Having an impressive or interesting skill or hobby like mine, is a good chance to attract an interviewer’s attention.

志望の動機= shibou no douki, The reason I apply for this job.

In this section, you can write what you like about the company or job you are applying for and express how suitable you think you are for that job — referring to any experiences and/or abilities that you acquired in your previous job. Be sure to express how motivated you are!

本人希望記入欄(=honnin kibou kinyuu ran)

In this section you can write your desires or job expectations. Technically you could write your desired salary, work location, and whether you want to be transferred or not, etc. But unless there are special circumstances (for example, you have to take care of you sick family member, etc.), I wouldn’t recommend you write anything too demanding.

If you decided not to write anything here (although you have tons of wishes ;-) ), you can write something like like I did.

貴社規定に従います。=kisha kitei ni shitagaimasu, I will conform to this company’s regulations.

貴社=kisha, is another honorific way to refer the company as 御社=onsha.

(Note: By the way, when speaking with clients you should refer to your own company as 当社=tousha or 弊社=heisha, our company, to be humble. You should not say 御社=onsha, or 貴社=kisha.)

:rrrr:This section is not that hard to fill out. They’ll want to know how much time it will take for you to get to the office and also they can calculate how much money they have to pay for your transportation. They’ll also want to know if you have any dependent family members or not.

Note:

There used to be a section where you would write about 家族構成=kazoku kousei, family information, with their names, ages, occupations, etc. of all of your family members. But I haven’t seen that kind of form for quite a while.

Traditionally many companies prefer to hire people who have been introduced by someone who was powerful or good connections with executive officers in that company or . So having a good コネ, kone, connection used to be a strength. Also many people have gotten their jobs through nepotism. I would say there are still lots of companies who hire people who have these kinds of connections.

→コネがある=kone ga aru, to have pull,コネがない=kone ga nai not to have pull

When you send or hand in your resume, you should attach a cover letter.

Some company requires you to enclose,

エントリーシート(=entorii shiito), the specific cover letter for each company to apply for the job.

You have to fill out,

志望動機(=shibou douki) statement of purpose

自己PR(=jiko biiaaru) a self introduction designed to sell you to the company

(PR=public relations, but this is “Japanese English”)

<How to send or hand out the resume.>

When you buy the forms of 履歴書=rirekisho, resume, they usually come with a plain white envelope that says

履歴書在中=rirekicho zaichuu, enclosed resume

in a frame. (If it is not already written on the envelope, you can just write it in by hand.)

Write the company name and 人事部御中=jinjibu onchuu = to personnel department

If you know the name of 人事採用担当者=jinji saiyou tantousha, the recruitment officer, write their name with 様=sama, Mr./Mrs.. When you write their name, do not write 御中 after the name of the department above.

Note: 御中=onchu.

It is a written honorific expression for the company (or department). It means “in /inside of (the company/department)“

When we write the address of a company and we mail it to certain company or company section (not a specific person) we write 御中(=onchuu)  right after the name of the company or section. We don’t use it with a person’s name.

Ex. ポップコーン株式会社御中

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha (Company name)+ onchuu

Ex.ポップコーン株式会社 人事部御中

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha(Company name)jinjibu, personnel dept. (department/section name) + onchuu

Ex. ポップコーン株式会社 人事部   山田マギー様

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha(Company name) jinjibu, personnel dept. (department/section name) Yamada Maggie (person’s name) + sama

Ex.ポップコーン株式会社 人事部 山田マギー部長

=Popcorn kabushikigaisha(Company name)+jinjibu , personnel dept. (department/section name) +Yamada Maggie (person’s family name)+buchou, department director (job title )

→When you write a job title, you don’t need to put 様=sama after the person’s name in the end)

•We write the address and names vertically on the envelopes because it is a formal letter.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

This is the first step.→第一次審査=daiichiji shinsa

If they like your resume, they will contact you.

Some companies may ask you to take various exams to see if you are a qualified candidate or not.

•採用試験=Saiyou shiken, employment test

•筆記試験=hikki shiken, written test

•常識問題=joushiki mondai, general knowledge test

(Note : In this test, they test your knowledge of kanji, history, current news, politics, math, etc.)

•性格テスト=seikaku tesuto, personality test

•適正検査=tekisei kensa, aptitude test

<Job interview>

*面接=mensetsu, interview

There are mainly two kinds of interviews in Japan.

*グループ面接=guruupu mensetsu, interview in a group

*個人面接=kojin mensetsu, individual interview

個人面接の受け方(=kojin mensetsu no uketakata), how to have an individual job interview:

I consulted various manuals on interviews in Japan. This is pretty common procedure, but, of course, it varies depending on the company and even expert opinions vary. But I think I’ve gathered enough information for you to be able to get a general idea of how the process goes.

OK, let’s get into the interview room!

1) Knock the door twice lightly. (Some suggests knocking three times.)

2) When they say, 「どうぞ」(=douzo), Please come in!, you open the door a little and look at the interviewer’s eyes and say 「失礼します。or 失礼致します。」(=Shitsurei shimasu./Shitsurei itashimasu.) “Please allow me to come in.” and come in the room. Don’t show your back to the interviewer when you close the door.

3) Bow lightly to the interviewer and say 「宜しくお願い致します。」(=Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.)

(*This is one of the many “set phrases” in Japanese that are hard to translate. This one means something like “Thank you for your time / your work/ this opportunity in advance.)

4) Go right next to the chair where you are supposed to sit. (Do not sit down yet!)

5) When they ask your name (and university name) you say,

「～大学、～学部～学科の（your name)と申します。宜しくお願い致します。」

＝～daigaku, ~ gakubu, ~gakka no (your name) to moushimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

=I am (your name) from ~university, ~faculty, ~department. Thank you for your time. (Thank you for this interview..)

6) When they say 「どうぞお掛け下さい」, douzo okake kudasai, “Please sit down”, you should say 「失礼致します」=shiturei itashimasu, “Thank you.” and sit down.

7) When you sit down, don’t sit back. Don’t cross your legs. Lay your hands on your lap lightly.

8) When they ask you questions, try to answer clearly and make eye contact with the interviewer.

9) When they say「以上で終わります。」ijou de owarimasu, “That’s all”, you say 「本日は有り難うございました。」, honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita.,“Thank you you so much.” and stand up next to the chair and bow lightly. Then you say 「失礼致します。」“Excuse me.” “Thank you.” and leave the room.

10) Right before you leave the room, bow to the interviewer one last time.

Oh, my GOD….Does that sound like too much?

Good luck! !Vsain!

<How to appeal yourself>

第一印象=daiichi inshou, the first impression is very important in any interview. Some say they can tell if they want to hire you or not in the first three seconds when they see you.

Remember

*to show how much you want to work for the company and show how motivated you are.

*to answer questions or ask questions clearly and briskly.

*to look into 面接官=mensetsukan, interviewer‘s eyes.

(Many Japanese people tend to avoid direct eye contact because traditionally it is considered to be aggressive to stare at someone’s eyes.)

*Japanese companies value team work. So show how much you can cooperative and like to work as a team player by bringing up your experiences and extracurricular activity.

*to show how responsible you are.

*to sell yourself. You have a short window of time to sell yourself, but at the same time try not to sound like you’re bragging. If they think you are overly confident, they may think you are cocky.

*Be sure to use proper 敬語=keigo, honorific expressions. When you refer to the company, you always use 御社=onsha, your company

<Taboos!>

As I mentioned above, avoid asking about salary,vacation or overtime work right away. It is considered to be very rude and will give them the impression that you are JUST thinking about the benefits. Usually you can see the basic salary in the classified ad.

（基本給=kihonkyuu, basic salary, 賞与-shouyo, bonus)

You may be surprised to hear but there are lots of people who decided to work without knowing exactly how much is the salary until their first paycheck. If you really want to know, do not ask them not in the beginning. Wait for the best time. Or wait until when they ask you if you have any questions at the end of the interview.

<Typical questions to be asked>

Q :志望理由は何ですか？

=Shibou riyuu wa nan desu ka?　

=Why did you apply for this job?

Q : 当社を選んだ理由についてお話し下さい。

=Tousha wo eranda riyuu ni tsuite ohanashi kudasai.

=Please tell us why you chose our company.

Q :当社のことをどこで知りましたか？

=Tousha no koto wo doko de shirimashita ka?

=How did you hear about our company?

Q :学生時代に力を注いだことは何ですか？

=Gakusei jidai ni chikara wo sosoida koto nan desu wa?

=What did you put most effort into at school?

Q :卒論(卒業論文）はどういうことを書きましたか？

=Sotsuron(sotsugyou ronbun) wa douiu koto wo kakimashitaka?

=What is the theme of your graduation thesis?

Q :自己PR／自己紹介して下さい。

=Jiko piiaaru/jikoshoukai shite kudasai.

=Please introduce yourself. (try to sell yourself.)

Q :趣味はなんですか？

=Shumi wa nan desu ka?

=What do you like to do?

Q :当社でやってみたいことはなんですか？

=Tousha de yatte mita koto wa nan desu ka?

=What would like to do at our company?

Q :他にどんな企業を廻っていますか？

=Hoka ni donna kigyou wo mawatte imasu ka?

=What kind of companies are you visiting besides us?

Q :当社に入ったらどんな仕事を希望しますか？

=Tousha ni haittara donna shigoto wo kibou shimasu ka?

=What kind of job would you want if you join us?

Q :あなたの短所と長所を教えて下さい。

=Anata no tansho to chousho wo oshiete kudasai.

=What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Q :(歴史上)一番尊敬する人は誰ですか?

=(Rekishijou) Ichibansonkei suru hito wa dare desu ka?

=Who do you respect the most (in history)?

Q :最近のニュースで気になることはありますか？

=Saikin no nyuusu de kini naru koto wa arimasu ka?

=Is there any news which has caught your attention lately?

Q :部活、サークル活動は何かやっていましたか?

=Bukatsu saakuru katsudou wa nai ka yatte imashita ka?

=Have you been involved in any extracurricular activities or group activities?

Q :バイトはどんな仕事をしていましたか？

=Baito wa donnna shigoto wo shite imashita ka?

=What kind of part time job did you have?

Q :当社の製品についてどう思いますか?

=Tousha no seihin ni tsuite dou omoimasu ka?

=What do you think about our products?

Q :人生の目標は?

=Jinsei no mokuhou wa?

=What is life goal/purpose?

Q :〜年後のビジョンを教えて下さい。

=〜 nen go no bijon wo oshiete kudasai.

=Please tell us your vision in 〜 years.

Q :給与はどの位希望されますか？

=Kyuuyo wa dono kurai kibou saremasu ka?

=How much salary would you want?

<前職について> zenshoku ni tsuite, about your previous job

Q :どうして退職したのですか？

=Doushite taishoku shita no desu ka?

=Why did you leave the previous job?

Q :最後に質問はありますか？

=saigo ni shitsumon wa arimasu ka?

=Finally, do you have any questions for us?

******************************************************************

From the picture above:

「あなたの特技はなんですか？」

=Anata no tokugi wa nan desu ka?

=So what are you good at?

特技=tokugi=speciality, something you are good at, special skill

!ase! 「ええと..、犬の散歩です。」

=Eeto…, inu no sanpo desu.

=Well… walking dogs.

マギー先生より=Maggie sensei yori, From Maggie sensei

基本的にもし私の会社で働きたかったら、服装や能力よりも、どれだけ美味しいものを私にくれるか、お散歩にきちんと連れていってくれるかが大切です！

=Kihonteki ni moshi watashi no kaisha de hatarakitakattara fukusou ya nouryoku yorimo doredake oishii mono wo watshi ni kureru ka, osanpo ni kichinto tsurete itte kueru ka ga taisetsu desu.

Basically if you want to work for me, more than how you dress or your ability, I value whether you will feed me yummy food or take me for a walk regularly or not.

みんな、がんばって応募してね。

=Minna gannbatte oubo shitene.

Apply for the post! Good luck everyone!

「ポイント貯めてる？」

=Pointo tameteru?

=Have you been accumulating points?

This is a request lesson about how to sign up for a store member’s card in Japan.

I made a shopping lesson a while ago. One thing that I didn’t cover wasメンバーズカード(=menbaazu kaado) member’s card or　ポイントカード(=pointo caad) “point card”

Many shops, such as drug stores, CD shops, massage parlors, cosmetic stores, home electronics stores, beauty salons, spas, etc. try to lure their customers back with メンバーズカード(=menbaazu kaado) members card or ポイントカード(=pointo caad) “point card”=a reward card with lots of benefits.

The system is very simple. Once you sign up for a membership card or point card, you can get a discount,

会員割引=kaiin waribki=discount for members

or if you become a frequent customer, you can ポイントを貯める=pointo wo tameru, accumulate points, and you will get a prize or bigger discount. The store’s hope being that once we become members, we become their loyal customers and will come back again and again for the points.

Since the procedure is very easy, we make a member’s card here and there and end up having loooots of cards in our wallets. Look at my bulging wallet!

(* Some store demand annual fee 年会費=nenkaihi to be their privileged member.)

You don’t actually need to talk so much in order to get a card made but you need to understand what they are talking about.

Here’s a typical conversation at a store. Usually when you pay for your purchase they ask,

「当店のポイントカード(or メンバーズカード）はもうお持ちですか？」

=Touten no point caado wa mou omochi desu ka?

=Do you already have our “point-card”?

If you do, you just say,

「はい、持っています。」

=Hai motte imasu.

=Yes, I do.

and take it out. How simple is that!?

If you get a certain amount of points, they’ll say,

ポイントが＊＊(Ex. 100) 点になりましたのでこちらを差し上げます。/今日は￥***(Ex. ¥2,000)にさせて頂きます。

=Pointo ga **(Ex. hyaku en) ten ni narimashita node kochira wo sashiagemasu./Kyouwa ¥*** (Ex. nisen en)ni sasete itadakimasu.

=You reached ** points so here’s your present. / It will be only ¥*** for you.

But if you don’t have one, you say,

「いいえ、持っていません。」

=Iie motte imasen.

=No, I don’t.

If you don’t need one, just say,

「いえ、結構です。」

=Ie kekkou desu.

=No thank you.

「今、ちょっと時間がないのでまたにします。」

=Ima chotto jikan ga nai node mata ni shimasu.

=I’m in a hurry now so maybe next time.

「こちらの方に(は)あまり来ないので…（いいです。/結構です。）」

=Kochira no hou ni (wa) amari konai node..(iidesu/kekkou desu.)

=(Sorry but) I don’t come to this area so often so… (No thank you.)

If you show interest in becoming a member,they will explain HOW GREAT to be their members.

「そうですか。只今、当店のメンバーにご登録して頂きますと..

=Soudesuka. Tadaima touten no menbaa ni gotouroku shite itadakimasuto..

=OK, then if you become our member now, you will…

•只今=tadaima=now

•当店=touten=our store

•登録する=to be a member, to register

•ご登録して頂くと..

=gotouroku shite itadaku to

=if you become a member (polite)

****という特典がございます。」

=****toiu tokuten ga gozaimasu. (polite)

=You can get **** as benefit.

•特典=tokuten=a perk, benefit, special service

Ex. 当店でのお買い物がサービス品以外５％引きになります。

=Touten deno okaimono saabisu hin igai go paasento biki ni narimasu.

=You can get 5% off from all your purchases at our store not including sales items.

Ex.１０回のご来店で次の１回分が無料となります。

=Jukkai no goraiten de ikkai bun muryou to narimasu.

=If you come to our store ten times, the next visit will be free.)

Ex. ポイントが一杯になりますと粗品を差し上げます。

=Pointo ga ippai ni narimasu to soshina wo sashiagemasu.

=If you fill all the card, we will give you a present.

•一杯になる=Ippai ni naru=to be filled

•粗品=soshina=a present (humble expression of gift. The direct translation is poor article.)

After they explain how beneficial it is to be a member, they will ask you,

「簡単に出来ますので今、お作りしてもよろしいでしょうか？」

=Kantan ni dekimasu node ima otsukuri shite mo yoroshii deshouka?

=It will be done so easily so could I make one for you now?

「お時間、３分程でできますのでお作りしても宜しいでしょうか？」

=Ojikan sanpun hodo de dekimasu node otsukuri shite mo yoroshii deshouka?

=It will only take three minutes so could I make one for you?

Do you want one? Then say,

「はい、じゃあお願いします。」

=Hai jaa onegai shimasu.

=Yes, please.

Then they will bring you a form,

「それではこちらにご記入頂けますでしょうか？」

=Soredewa kochira ni gokinyuu itadakemasu de shou ka?

=Could you fill this out, please?

•記入する=kinyuu suru→(more polite)ご記入する=gokinyu suru=to fill out

＜How to fill the form> 記入方法=kinyuu houhou

★お名前=Onamae=name

★氏名=shimei =name

★名字=myouji=family name

★名前=namae=name or first name

★ふりがな=in hiragana or katakana (Some kanji have two or three possible readings so we always have to write the furigana so we know how to read your name and addresses.)

★生年月日=seinen gappi=birth year/ month/date

★年齢=nenrei=age

★性別=seibetsu=gender

You mark one of them!?

→男=otoko=a man

→女=onna=a woman

★御職業=goshokugyou=your job

★会社名=kaishamei=company name

★御住所=gojuusho=your address

★メールアドレス=meiru adoresu=email address

★当店よりセール等のDM、ご案内をお送りしても宜しいでしょうか？

=Touten yori seeru tou no diiemu, goannai wo ookuri shite mo yoroshii deshouka?

=Can we send advertisements or updated information to your address (or email)?

→はい=hai=Yes

→いいえ=iie=No

Usually they don’t expect you to fill out the whole thing. If you don’t want to write certain things, just leave them in blank.

Then show it to them saying,

•「これでいいですか？」

=Kore de ii desu ka?

=Is this all right?/Did I do it right?

•「ここは書かなくてもいいですか？」

=Koko wa kakanakute mo ii desu ka?

=Is it OK if I don’t fill out this part?

•「全部書かなければいけませんか？」

=Zenbu kakanakereba ikemasen ka?

=Do I have to fill out everything?

Then they will tell you what they need filled in.

Ex.「いえ、お名前とお電話番号だけで結構です。」

=Ie onamae to odenwa bangou dake de kekkou desu.

=That’s OK. Just give us your name and your phone number, please.

If it is OK, they will say,

「はい、結構です。」

=Hai kekkou desu.

=Yes, no problem

They will ask you to sign in the form.

「こちらの方にご署名下さい。」

=Kochira no hou ni goshomei kudasai.

=Please sign here.

（Note : Handling 個人情報=kojin jouhou=personal information has been very strict in Japan.  So they may ask you to read through an agreement to let them use your personal information for their customer list and ask you to sign the paper.)

Once they make the new card, they’ll hand it to you saying

「それではこちらのカードをお渡し致します。本日から１年間有効となります。」

=Soredewa kochira no kaado wo owatshi itashitaimasu. Honjitsu kara ichinen kan yuukou to narimasu.

=Here’s your card. It will expire a year from today.

•有効=yuukou=valid

•本日＝honjitsu=this day (a bit formal than 今日=kyou=today)

or

•「有効期限は本日から１年間となっております。」

=Yuukou kigen wa honjitsu kara ichinenkan to natte orimasu.

=The expiration date is a year starting from today.

•「本日から早速ご利用頂けます。」

=Honjitsu kara sassoku goriyou itadakemasu.

=You can use it from today.

•早速=sassoku=soon

•利用=riyou=to use →(polite) ご利用＝goriyou

They might ask you to sign up from your mobile phone.

•携帯サイトからご登録下さい。

=Keitai saito kara gotouroku kudasai.

=Please register from our website for mobile phone.

Culture note:

Companies offer point cards or members’ cards to improve customer loyalty and we love to get discounts and prizes so it is a very convenient system. It’s like frequent flier miles.

Not just stores but most of credit card companies offer ポイントサービス(=pointo saabisu).

Using credit card customers are also often rewarded for using their credit cards with points and prizes.

 マギー先生より=Maggie sensei yori, From Maggie Sensei

このサイトに一日に１回来たら１ポイントあげます。1000ポイント貯まったらキスしてあげる！

=Kono saito ni ichinichi ni ikkai kitara ichipointo agemasu. Sen pointo tamattara kissu shite ageru.

If you come to this site once a day, I will give you one point. If you get 1,000 points I will give you a big kiss! :D

I made this lesson for my loyal student, Top-san! Hope it helps

「航空便でラブレターが届いたの 」
= Koukuubin de raburetaa ga todoita no.
=I got this love letter by airmail♥

Today’s mini lesson is about 郵便 = ゆうびん = yuubin =postal mail

I will teach you some basic postal service related words.

★郵便局 = yuubinkyoku = post office

★郵便で = by mail

Ex. 郵便で送る = yuubin de okuru = to send something by postal mail

•送る = okuru = to send, to mail

(Note :  We also say 郵送する = yusou suru)

★郵便貯金 = yuubinchokin = post-office savings

(I’m not sure if it is only in Japan but they have a bank service at a post office in Japan. How about in your country?)

★( 郵便 )ポスト = ( yuubin ) posuto = post box

Ex. ポストに投函して下さい。

= Posuto ni toukan shite kudasai.
= Please put a letter in the post-box.

★葉書 = はがき = ハガキ = hagaki = postcard （絵はがき = ehagaki = picture postcard)

官製葉書, はがき, ハガキ = kansei hagaki = official postal card(The stamp is printed on the card.)

★郵便番号 = yuubin bangou = postal code, zip code

★（郵便）切手 = (yuubin ) kitte = postal stamps

Ex. ５０円切手を１０枚下さい。

= Gojuu en kitte wo juumai kudasai.
= Ten 80 yen stamps, please.

Ex. 80円切手を貼って下さい。

= Hachijyuuen kitte wo hatte kudasai.
= Please put a 80 yen stamp on.

記念切手 = kinen kitte = commemorative postage stamp (Usually they sell them by the sheet.)
If you have a chance to stop by a Japanese post office, go check these 記念切手=kinen kitte. Sometimes you can find beautiful stamps and you can also buy animation character-stamps such as NARUTO, etc.

★消印 = keshiin  = postmark

Ex. 消印を押す = keshiin wo osu = to mark a stamp, to obliterate

★航空便 = koukuu bin = airmail

★船便 = funabin = sea mail

Ex. すみません、これ航空便で送るといくらぐらいかかりますか？

= Sumimasen, kore koukuubin de okuruto ikura gurai kakarimasuka ?
= Excuse me. How much would it cost to send this by airmail?

Ex. それなら船便にして下さい。

= Sorenara funabin ni shite kudasai.
= Then please send this by sea mail.

Ex. 船便ならどの位、時間がかかりますか？

= Funabin nara dono kurai(also pronounced “gurai”) jikan ga kakarimasu ka?
= About how long does it take (to arrive) by sea mail?

★速達 = sokutatsu = express mail

★書留 = kakitome = certificate mail

★普通郵便 = futsuu yuubin = regular mail

～で送る = ~ de okuru = to send (something) by ～

Ex. これ、速達で送りたいのですが..

=Kore sokutatsu de okuritai no desuga…
=  I would like to mail this by express.

Ex. これ、書留にして下さい。

= Kore kakitome ni shite kudasai.
= Please send this by certificate.

Ex. 普通（郵便）でいいですか？

=Futsuu (yuubin ) de ii desuka?
=Do you want to send this by regular mail?

Ex. はい、普通（郵便）でいいです。

= Futsuu （yuubin） de iidesu.
= Regular mail will be fine.

★郵便小包 = yuubin kozutumi = postal service small package

Note : There is a specific name for postal service package →ゆうパック = yuu pakku =specific name for a postal service package

Ex. 「郵便小包を出したいのですが。」

= Yuubin kozutsumi wo dashitai no desu ga.
=I would like to send a package by mail.

Ex. 「ゆうパックでお願いします。」

= Yuupakku de onegai shimasu.
= By postal package service, please.

Other related expressions.

Ex. 「こちらの用紙にご記入下さい。」
= Kochira no youshi ni gokinyuu kudasai.
= Please fill out this form.

•おところ= otokoro = address

• おなまえ = onamae = name

• 電話 =でんわ = denwa = telephone

•お届け先 = otodoke saki = recipient

• ご依頼主 = goirainushi = sender

•壊れ物 = こわれもの = kowaremono = fragile goods

• 割れ物 = われもの = waremono = breakables

• 生もの = なまもの= namamono = perishables (mainly food)

Ex. 「中にお手紙は入っていますか？」

= Naka ni otegami wa haitte imasuka?
= Is there a letter inside?
(Sometimes they charge more if there is a letter inside of a package.)

Ex. 「ゆうパックとEMSと(では）どちらが早く着きますか？」

=Yuupakku to EMS to (dewa) dochiraga hayaku tsukimasu ka?
= Which is faster, yuupakku or EMS　(*express service for International mail) ?

Ex. 配達日のご希望はありますか？

= Haitatsubi no gokibou wa arimasu ka?
= Do you have preference as to what day you want it delivered?

Ex. 中に何が入っていますか？

= Naka ni nani ga haitte imasuka?
= What’s inside it (the package)?

Note : You can chose 配達日 = haitatsubi = delivery date and 配達時間 = haitatsu jikan = delivery time to send a postal package.

The symbol of Japanese postal service= 郵便マーク=yuubin maaku is,

〒

マギー先生より=Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

で、みんなのラブレターはいつ届くのかしら？

=De minna no raburetaa wa itsu todoku no kashira?

So, when can I get your love letters?

「ご予約は何名様ですか？。」

= Goyoyaku wa nanmei sama desu ka?

= How many people in your party?

「4匹です！」

= Yonhiki desu.

= Four “dogs” !

Hi everyone! It’s been a long time! I was on vacation, but I am finally back!

For a change, let’s study something very practical instead of one of my usual grammar based lessons.

Today, you will learn how to make reservations in Japanese.

予約 =よやく= yoyaku = reservation

verb : 予約をする= yoyaku wo suru = to make a reservation, to book

If you stay in Japan, you may need to make a reservation for a room at a hotel, a table at a restaurant, a haircut at a beauty salon, etc.

You might be scared to make a reservation because a lot of times you have to do it over the phone in Japanese.

I completely understand! Japanese people have trouble making reservations over the phone when we go abroad too, so I hope this lesson helps you feel more comfortable making phone calls in Japanese.

(I added lots of sound files this time. Also our friend, Victor made a follow up video for this lesson. Go check the video and play it while you go throught the vocab.  He will show you how to study my lessons in that video.)

Restaurants :

Whenever I go abroad, I always want to go to the restaurants where the local people go — not the tourists where I can enjoy the atmosphere and their local food.

You may bring a nice guidebook written in your language when you visit Japan, and it should give you a lot of good restaurant information and those places might be safer for you because there is a good chance that they’ll speak English there. But try some of the more popular local restaurants.

So how do you find them?

As for me, I always search for new places using the Internet or タウン誌 (= taunshi) local town magazines besides, of course, the word of mouths from my friends.

If you know enough Japanese, I would suggest that you should use some restaurant information sites in Japan such as 食べログ(=taberogu) , グルナビ(gurunabi) etc. Sites such as グルナビ(=Gurunabi) have pages written in English, Korean and Chinese, but when I checked them, they are not the same as Japanese.

Of course, those sites are not for people who don’t care about other people’s opinions.

But at least you’ll get an idea of what kind of restaurants there are in Japan.

Actually one of you asked me to make a lesson on how to use these sites, so let’s start with some basic vocabulary.

レストラン検索 = resutoran kensaku = Searching restaurants

Useful vocabulary for searching for a restaurant.

*エリア名= eria mei = name of the areas

*ジャンル、店名、TEL = janru, tenmei, TEL = types of food, name of the place, telephone.

You don’t need to know them. You can narrow down where you want to go by checking the following.

*予算= yosan = budget

Type of food :

*洋食 = youshoku = Western Cuisine

Note : The translation is “Western food” but it might be different from what you might expect because sometimes 洋食(=youshoku)

refers to the old style of western cuisine adapted in the Meiji Era.

*フレンチ= Furenchi = French food

*イタリアン = Italian = Italian food

*中華料理= chuuka ryouri = Chinese food

*韓国料理= kankokuryouri = Korean food

*和食 = Washoku = Japanese food

*ラーメン = raamen = ramen noodles

*焼き肉= yakiniku = Korean BBQ

*鍋= nabe = Japanese style hot pot dish (if you come to Japan in winter, it is highly recommended.)

*居酒屋 = Izakaya = Japanese style bar (This is one of Japan’s favorite hang outs and usually are very casual. You can try many different Japanese dishes here, but they are kind of loud. If you want to eat in a quiet atmosphere, they may not be suitable.)

Other key words :

*食べ放題 = tabehoudai = all you can eat

*飲み放題 = nomihoudai = all you can drink

*宴会 = enkai = party, banquet, drinking party

*女子会= joshikai = female gathering (Check my related lesson 女子会)

*指定なし= shiteinashi = none specified

And you can search restaurants by the popularity ranking.

*昼のランキング= hiru no ranking = ranking for lunch

*夜のランキング = yoru no ranking = ranking for dinner

If you pick a restaurant and click it, it shows

*お店情報= omise jouhou = the restaurant information

*写真ギャラリー ＝shashin gyarariii = Photo Galleries = Some people who have been there posted pictures.

*口コミ = kuchikomi = words of mouth

*評価= hyouka = reviews

*平均予算= heikin yosan = average cost

*メニュー= menyuu = menu

Note: Remember that in Japanese the word メニュー(= menyuu) can also refer to an actual dish. For example, 今日のメニュー (=

kyou no menyuu） could be today’s special. On this site, however, it just means a list of what they offer.

*お品書き = oshinagaki = menu (This term is usually used for Japanese style restaurants.)

*地図 = chizu = map

*クーポン= cuupon = coupon

Many people use these coupons quite often.

If you send the information to your cell phone or print the coupon, you can get a good discount.

Ex.飲食代金より10%OFF

= inshoku daikin yori juppasento ofu

= 10% discount from your bill.

Ex. デザートにアイスクリームプレゼント

= Dezaato ni aisukuriimu purezento

= free ice cream for dessert

**********

Some restaurants accept Internet reservations if you book ahead of time. But today we will learn how to book a table over the phone.

So let’s say you pick one restaurant that you are interested in.

R : 「はい、”居酒屋飲み助”です。」

= Hai “Izakaya Nomisuke” desu.

= Hello, “Izakaya Nomisuke”. May I help you?

You :「すみません、予約をお願いしたいんですが。」

= Sumimasen. Yoyaku wo onegai shitain desu ga.

= Hi, I would like to make a reservation.

R : 「はい、いつがよろしいでしょうか？」

= Hai, itsu ga yoroshii deshouka?

= Sure, when is it for?

You :「明日の夜です。」

= Ashita no yoru desu.

= For tomorrow evening.

If you don’t specify lunch time or dinner time, they will ask you

R :「お昼ですか？夜ですか？」

= Ohiru desuka? Yoru desu ka?

= For lunch or for dinner?

or

R :「ランチですか？夕食ですか？」

= Ranchi desu ka? Yuushoku desuka?

= For lunch or for dinner?

Then you tell them

You :「夜です。」

= Yoru desu.

= For dinner.

R :「何時ぐらいからでしょうか？」

= Nanji gurai kara deshou ka?

= What time is good for you?

or

R : 「何時がよろしかったでしょうか？」

= Nanji ga yoroshikatta deshouka?

= What time is good for you?

(Note : You often here よろしかったでしょうか？(=yoroshikatta deshouka) in  convenience stores, family restaurants.etc.
Since this lesson’s purpose is to show you a practical Japanese but if you want to learn grammatically correct Japanese, it should be

よろしいでしょうか？= Yoroshii deshouka?)

You :「７時からお願いします。」

= Hichiji kara onegai shimasu.

= At 7:00 please.

They will ask you the number of people in your party.

R :「はい、何名様ですか？」

= Hai, nanmei sama desu ka?

= OK, how many people in your party?

You :「２名です。」

= Nimei desu.

= For two people

You :「全部で８名です。」

= Zenbu de hachimei desu.

= Eight people in total.

Note : You can also say 一人(=hitori)= one person、二人(=futari) = two people、三人(=sannin) = three people, etc.

I am a dog so I can use 匹(= hiki, biki, piki) as in the picture above but it only applies to animals, OK?

Then they will ask your seating preference.

R :「テーブル席ですか？それともお座敷ですか？」

= Teiburu seki desu ka? Soretomo ozashiki desu ka?

= Do you prefer a table or zashiki room?

You :「テーブル席でお願いします。」

= Teiburu seki de onegai shimasu.

=A table please.

!lotsofhearts! Vocabulary :

＊座敷= zashiki = Japanese tatami mat room (You have to take off your shoes)

＊掘りごたつ= horigotatsu = The table is on tatammi mats. But there is a sunken space underneath of the table for your legs so it is more comfortable to sit in than a regular tamtami room.

＊テーブル席= teiburu seki = a table (seats at a table)

＊カウンター席= kauntaa seki = at a counter (seats at a counter)

＊個室 = koshitsu = private room

They may ask you what kind of course you want.

R :「コースはお決まりですか？」

= Koosu wa okimari desuka?

= Have you decided what course you are going to have?

If you want to decide when you get there tell them

You :「そちらに行ってから決めます。」

= Sochirani itte kara kimemasu.

= We will decide when we get there.

R :「それではお名前とお電話番号をお願い致します。」

= Sorede wa oname to odenwa bangou wo onegai itashimasu.

= Now may I have your name and telephone number, please?

You :「はい、マギー•ポップコーンです。」

= Hai, Maggie Poppucoon desu.

= Yes, Maggie Popcorn.

Note : You should pronounce your name clearly and slowly. Otherwise they will have difficulty understanding your name.)

If they don’t get it, they will ask you

Ex. 綴りを教えて頂けますか？

= Tsuzuri wo oshiete itadakemasu ka?

= How do you spell your name?

綴り(= tsuzuri) = スペル= superu = spelling

You :「今、携帯がないので滞在先の”わんわんホテル”の電話番号をお伝えします。~~~~」

= Ima keitai ga nai node taizaisaki no “Wanwan hoteru” no denwa banngou wo otsutae shimasu.

= I don’t have a cell phone so, here is the phone number of Wanwan hotel where I am staying.

R :「はい、それでは復唱させていただきます。」

= Hai, soredewa fukushou sasete itadakimasu.

= OK, let me repeat your reservation.

R :「明日の８月３０日、７：００からマギー•ポップコーン様で２名様、テーブル席でのご予約。」

= Asu no hachigatsu sanjuunichi shichiji kara Maggie Poppukoon sama de nimei sama. Teiburuseki deno goyoyaku.

= A table for two under the name, Maggie Popcorn at 7:00 tomorrow.

R :「お電話番号は~~~~~でよろしかったでしょうか？」

=Odenwa bangou wa ~~ de yoroshikatta deshouka?

= Your telephone number is ~~~~, is that correct?

You :「はい、よろしくお願い致します。」

= Hai, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

= Yes, thank you.

R :「それではお待ちしております。」

= Soredewa omachi shiteorimasu.

= We will be waiting for you tomorrow then.

When you arrive at the restaurant, you’ll say

You :「予約をしたマギー•ポップコーンです。」

= Yoyaku wo shita Maggie Poppukoon desu.

= I have a reservation under Maggie Popcorn.

or

You :「7時から２名で予約をしたマギー•ポップコーンです。」

= Hichiji kara nimei de yoyaku wo shita Maggie Poppukoon desu.

= I have a reservation for two at 7:00 under the name Maggie Popcorn.

******

Variation :

A lots of western style restaurants have anniversary service so that if you want to celebrate your family or friends’s birthday you could ask

You :「友達のバースデーなんですが、そちらではなにかそういったサービスはありますか？」

= Tomodachi no baasudei nandesuga sochira dewa nanika souitta saabisu wa arimasu ka?

= It’s my friend’s birthday. Do you have any special service for that?

R :「はい、デザートのバースデープレートのご用意ができます。」

= Hai, dezaato no baasudei pureito no goyoui ga dekimasu.

= Yes, we can arrange a birthday dessert.

バースデープレート=”Birthday Plate” is a special dessert plate arranged for a birthday.

Usually they’ll prepare a dessert with candles and write the name of the birthday person on it.

Some place do that free of charge, some charges extra depending on the place.

You :「それではお願いします。」

= Soredewa onegai shimasu.

= Then please arrange it.

R :「お友達のお名前をお知らせ下さい。」

= Otomodachi no oname wo oshirase kudasai.

= Please tell me your friend’s name.

You :「Max です。」

= Makkusu desu.

= It’s Max.

*****

If they can’t take your reservation they say

You :「あいにくその日はもう予約で一杯になっております。」

= Ainiku sono hi wa mou yoyaku de ippai ninatte orimasu

= I am sorry but all the tables are all booked.

If you want to change the date, you say

You :「それでは、あさっての８月３１日の夜はどうでしょうか？」

= Soredewa asatte no hachigatsu sanjuuichinichi no yoru wa doudeshouka?

= Then how about the day after tomorrow, night of Aug.31st?

If they still say,

R :「満席です。」or「あいにく、満席となっております。」

= Manseki desu.or Ainiku manseki to natte orimasu.

= We’re full. / We are very sorry but we are full.

and you want to give up you say

You :「それではまたにします。」

= Soredewa matani shimasu.

= OK, then I will visit you some other time.

They will say

R :「申し訳ございません。また宜しくお願い致します。」

= Moushiwake gozaimasen. Mata yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

= We are very sorry. Please visit us another time.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

Hair salons,etc.:

Now let’s try to make reservation for a beauty salon.

!lotsofhearts! Vocabulary

*カット= katto = haircut

* 前髪カット= maegami katto = just getting bangs cut

*シャンプー = shanpuu = shampoo

*ブロー = brow = hair dry