Polite Japanese Speaking Practice for Office Work and Job Interviews
Move through a Tokyo office day and a job interview, practicing courteous Japanese for greeting colleagues, making requests, following up, and presenting your experience, motivation, and strengths. Guided pronunciation, cultural context, and realistic speaking practice build confidence with formal workplace language while emphasizing clear delivery, truthful examples, and attentive conversation.
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Welcome. Your conversational Japanese gives you a strong foundation for the interview and office work ahead. You’ll use standard Tokyo Japanese as you move through an office day and a job interview, practicing courteous requests and formal responses.
At work in Tokyo, you arrive at the office and greet your colleagues before bringing a file to your manager. Workplace greetings acknowledge shared effort, though their frequency and formality vary between offices. Notice how colleagues greet one another and how they address people outside the team.
You greet the colleagues nearby. おはようございます。 This means “Good morning.” Slowly: おはようございます。 Spelled: おはよう, o, ha, yo, long o, おはよう. Hold the final o sound in the greeting’s first word for two even counts, without adding English-style stress. Use this when greeting colleagues on arrival in the morning. Some workplaces also use it at the start of a shift, so follow the pattern around you.
Your turn — say it: おはようございます…
おはようございます。
You meet a coworker who is already busy. お疲れ様です。 This is a standard workplace greeting, often functioning as “Hello.” Slowly: お疲れ様です。 Spelled: 疲れ, tsu, ka, re, 疲れ. Begin tsu with the consonant sound at the end of “cats,” followed by a short Japanese u. The wording refers to effort and tiredness, but its everyday purpose is to acknowledge a coworker. Within the workplace, it can open a conversation without suggesting that the person looks exhausted.
Your turn — say it: お疲れ様です…
お疲れ様です。
As your team begins the day’s work, you express your readiness to cooperate. 本日もよろしくお願いいたします。 This means “I look forward to working with you today.” Slowly: 本日もよろしくお願いいたします。 Spelled: 本日, ho, n, ji, tsu, 本日. Spelled: 願い, ne, ga, i, 願い. Give the nasal n in the first spelling run its own count, without adding a vowel after it. This formal expression suits a morning team exchange or the beginning of shared work. Its conventional request for goodwill expresses cooperation rather than asking for one particular favor.
Your turn — say it: 本日もよろしくお願いいたします…
本日もよろしくお願いいたします。
You bring your manager the file and indicate the section that needs checking. こちらの件をご確認いただけますか。 This means “Could you please check this matter?” Slowly: こちらの件をご確認いただけますか。 Spelled: 確認, ka, ku, ni, n, 確認. Keep the final nasal n distinct, and let the question ending rise gently rather than sharply. This is a courteous request for your manager or another colleague. Make the matter clear by indicating the relevant document or referring to the task already under discussion.
Your turn — say it: こちらの件をご確認いただけますか…
こちらの件をご確認いただけますか。
Your manager acknowledges the request. 承知しました。 This means “Understood.” Slowly: 承知しました。 Spelled: 承知, sho, long o, chi, 承知. Hold the opening o sound for two counts, continuing the same vowel rather than starting it again. You can use this formal acknowledgment when receiving instructions or accepting a request. It signals that you have understood and accepted what was asked, so use it when you are ready to act on the information.
Your turn — say it: 承知しました…
承知しました。
Your manager asks for an update, and you need to look through the file before answering. 少々お待ちいただけますか。 This means “Could you please wait a moment?” Slowly: 少々お待ちいただけますか。 Spelled: 少々, sho, long o, sho, long o, 少々. Give both o sounds two counts each, keeping the two halves balanced. Use this for a short delay while you retrieve information or check something nearby. If the check will take longer, explain the next step rather than leaving the other person expecting an immediate answer.
Your turn — say it: 少々お待ちいただけますか…
少々お待ちいただけますか。
The ending combines the idea of receiving a favor with a polite question about possibility. That receiving perspective makes the request indirect, and your earlier request to check the matter follows the same pattern.
The answer needs more checking than a brief look at the file. 確認のうえ、改めてご連絡いたします。 This means “I’ll check and get back to you.” Slowly: 確認のうえ、改めてご連絡いたします。 Spelled: 改めて, a, ra, ta, me, te, 改めて. Spelled: 連絡, re, n, ra, ku, 連絡. Give the nasal n its own count before the following r, which uses a light tongue tap rather than an English r. This explains your next step and commits you to following up. It leaves the timing open, so agree on a deadline separately when the other person needs one.
Your turn — say it: 確認のうえ、改めてご連絡いたします…
確認のうえ、改めてご連絡いたします。
At the end of your workday, some colleagues are still working. お先に失礼します。 This means “Excuse me for leaving before you.” Slowly: お先に失礼します。 Spelled: 失礼, shi, small tsu stop, re, i forming a long e, 失礼. Let the final e and i flow together as one sustained e sound. Say this to the colleagues who remain as you leave. The literal apology for going ahead functions as a conventional departure greeting, rather than an admission that leaving is improper.
Your turn — say it: お先に失礼します…
お先に失礼します。
A colleague responds to your departure. お疲れ様でした。 This means “Thank you for your work today.” Slowly: お疲れ様でした。 Spelled: 疲れ, tsu, ka, re, 疲れ. Keep the final three sound units of the full phrase light and even, without strong English stress at the end. This acknowledges the work that has been done, and you can return it naturally. You may also hear the earlier workplace greeting at departures, depending on the office and the exchange.
Your turn — say it: お疲れ様でした…
お疲れ様でした。
You arrive at the office and greet the colleagues near your desk.
Your turn — say it: おはようございます…
You acknowledge a coworker who is already working.
Your turn — say it: お疲れ様です…
You begin the day’s work together and express your readiness to cooperate.
Your turn — say it: 本日もよろしくお願いいたします…
You show your manager the file and request a check.
Your turn — say it: こちらの件をご確認いただけますか…
Your manager acknowledges the request. Give the manager’s response.
Your turn — say it: 承知しました…
Back in your own role, you need a short delay before answering an update question.
Your turn — say it: 少々お待ちいただけますか…
You realize that the answer needs further checking and promise to follow up.
Your turn — say it: 確認のうえ、改めてご連絡いたします…
You leave while colleagues are still working.
Your turn — say it: お先に失礼します…
A colleague acknowledges your departure. Give the colleague’s response.
Your turn — say it: お疲れ様でした…
For your job interview in Tokyo, you enter a meeting room and face the interviewer. A brief bow commonly accompanies opening and closing greetings in a Japanese interview. Keep your words audible rather than speaking toward the floor.
When the opening exchange gives you room to speak, you thank the interviewer. 本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。 This means “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.” Slowly: 本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。 Spelled: 時間, ji, ka, n, 時間. Keep the nasal ending distinct, and give the long o in the expression of thanks two counts. This acknowledges the interviewer’s time at the beginning of the meeting. Fit it into the opening exchange rather than interrupting to deliver it.
Your turn — say it: 本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます…
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
You introduce yourself with your name. 〇〇と申します。 This is a formal way to say “My name is,” with your name at the beginning. Slowly: 〇〇と申します。 Spelled: 申します, mo, long o, shi, ma, su, 申します. Hold the o in the introduction formula for two counts, keeping the following sounds light. Replace the circles with your own name when you speak. This humble introduction suits an interview and provides a courteous opening before you describe your background.
Your turn — say it: 〇〇と申します…
〇〇と申します。
The interviewer asks about your background. これまでのご経験について教えてください。 This means “Please tell me about your experience.” Slowly: これまでのご経験について教えてください。 Spelled: 経験, ke, i forming a long e, ke, n, 経験. Let the opening e and i flow together as a long e sound, while the final n keeps its own count. Recognize this as the interviewer’s invitation to answer. The respectful reference to your experience belongs to the interviewer here; your own answer uses a more neutral description.
Your turn — say it: これまでのご経験について教えてください…
これまでのご経験について教えてください。
You answer by introducing a focused summary. これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします。 This means “I’ll briefly describe my experience.” Slowly: これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします。 Spelled: 簡潔, ka, n, ke, tsu, 簡潔. Give the n a clear count, and keep the final tsu short rather than heavily stressed. This provides a formal opening to your response. Follow it with a truthful summary of relevant work, selecting details that help the interviewer understand your fit for the role.
Your turn — say it: これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします…
これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします。
You connect that background to the contribution you hope to make. これまでの経験を生かして、貢献したいと考えております。 This means “I hope to use my experience to contribute.” Slowly: これまでの経験を生かして、貢献したいと考えております。 Spelled: 貢献, ko, long o, ke, n, 貢献. Spelled: 考えて, ka, n, ga, e, te, 考えて. Keep the opening o in the first spelling run long and its final nasal n separate. This links your background to the work you want to do. A relevant skill or example gives the formal expression substance and makes the connection clear.
Your turn — say it: これまでの経験を生かして、貢献したいと考えております…
これまでの経験を生かして、貢献したいと考えております。
The particle before the thinking expression introduces the content of your thought. The humble-polite ending replaces a more everyday form of “I am thinking,” giving the statement of intention a formal, measured tone.
The interviewer asks why you want the role. 志望理由は、御社の事業に魅力を感じたからです。 This means “I applied because I’m drawn to your company’s work.” Slowly: 志望理由は、御社の事業に魅力を感じたからです。 Spelled: 志望理由, shi, bo, long o, ri, yu, long u, 志望理由. Spelled: 御社, o, n, sha, 御社. Keep the nasal n in the second spelling run distinct before sha, without inserting another vowel. The term for “your company” here is the usual choice in spoken interviews. Follow this opening with what genuinely attracts you to the business, connecting that interest to the position.
Your turn — say it: 志望理由は、御社の事業に魅力を感じたからです…
志望理由は、御社の事業に魅力を感じたからです。
You are asked to describe a strength you can demonstrate. 私の強みは、最後まで責任を持って取り組むことです。 This means “My strength is seeing things through responsibly.” Slowly: 私の強みは、最後まで責任を持って取り組むことです。 Spelled: 責任, se, ki, ni, n, 責任. Spelled: 持って, mo, small tsu stop, te, 持って. For the doubled consonant, hold the tongue closure before t for one count, then release it without inserting a vowel. Use this answer when it accurately describes you. A short example of completing a difficult task makes the claim informative rather than merely complimentary.
Your turn — say it: 私の強みは、最後まで責任を持って取り組むことです…
私の強みは、最後まで責任を持って取り組むことです。
You miss part of the interviewer’s next question and ask to hear it again. 恐れ入りますが、質問をもう一度お聞かせいただけますか。 This means “I’m sorry, but could you please repeat the question?” Slowly: 恐れ入りますが、質問をもう一度お聞かせいただけますか。 Spelled: 恐れ入ります, o, so, re, i, ri, ma, su, 恐れ入ります. Spelled: 聞かせ, ki, ka, se, 聞かせ. Keep the adjacent e and i in the opening expression clear rather than turning them into the English word “eye.” The opening softens the request by acknowledging the trouble you are asking someone to take. Its everyday function is deferential courtesy, despite wording that literally evokes fear.
Your turn — say it: 恐れ入りますが、質問をもう一度お聞かせいただけますか…
恐れ入りますが、質問をもう一度お聞かせいただけますか。
The interviewer repeats the question, and you answer before the conversation moves on. When you are invited to ask questions, the duties still need clarification. 入社後に担当する業務について、教えていただけますか。 This means “Could you tell me about the duties I would handle after joining?” Slowly: 入社後に担当する業務について、教えていただけますか。 Spelled: 入社, nyu, long u, sha, 入社. Spelled: 業務, gyo, long o, mu, 業務. Keep nyu and gyo each together as one sound, then extend the vowel for the additional count. Ask this when the duties have not already been explained. It seeks practical information about the role while leaving the hiring decision open.
Your turn — say it: 入社後に担当する業務について、教えていただけますか…
入社後に担当する業務について、教えていただけますか。
The interviewer explains the responsibilities, and the meeting draws to a close. 本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 This means “Thank you for today. I appreciate your consideration.” Slowly: 本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 Spelled: 願い, ne, ga, i, 願い. Spelled: いたします, i, ta, shi, ma, su, いたします. Give the opening o in the second sentence two counts, and let the final statement settle gently rather than rise like a question. This combines thanks with a conventional expression of continued goodwill. In an interview closing, the final expression conveys a courteous request for favorable consideration.
Your turn — say it: 本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします…
本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
You face the interviewer and thank them for their time.
Your turn — say it: 本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます…
You introduce yourself, putting your name where the circles appear.
Your turn — say it: 〇〇と申します…
The interviewer asks about your background. Give this listening cue from the interviewer’s side.
Your turn — say it: これまでのご経験について教えてください…
Return to your role as the candidate and introduce a concise answer.
Your turn — say it: これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします…
You connect your experience to the contribution you hope to make.
Your turn — say it: これまでの経験を生かして、貢献したいと考えております…
You explain your interest in the company’s work.
Your turn — say it: 志望理由は、御社の事業に魅力を感じたからです…
You state a strength that you can support with an example.
Your turn — say it: 私の強みは、最後まで責任を持って取り組むことです…
You miss the next question and request repetition.
Your turn — say it: 恐れ入りますが、質問をもう一度お聞かせいただけますか…
When invited to ask questions, you ask about the duties.
Your turn — say it: 入社後に担当する業務について、教えていただけますか…
You close with thanks and a request for consideration.
Your turn — say it: 本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします…
“Good morning” is おはようございます。 To acknowledge a coworker with a standard workplace greeting, お疲れ様です。 “I look forward to working with you today” is 本日もよろしくお願いいたします。
“Could you please check this matter?” is こちらの件をご確認いただけますか。 A formal “Understood” is 承知しました。 For a short delay, “Could you please wait a moment?” is 少々お待ちいただけますか。 When further checking is needed, “I’ll check and get back to you” is 確認のうえ、改めてご連絡いたします。
“Excuse me for leaving before you” is お先に失礼します。 To acknowledge the work someone has done, “Thank you for your work today” is お疲れ様でした。
At the interview, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today” is 本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。 For your introduction, put your name at the beginning of 〇〇と申します。 The interviewer’s request, “Please tell me about your experience,” is これまでのご経験について教えてください。
Your response can begin, “I’ll briefly describe my experience.” これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします。 To connect that background to the role, “I hope to use my experience to contribute” is これまでの経験を生かして、貢献したいと考えております。
“I applied because I’m drawn to your company’s work” is 志望理由は、御社の事業に魅力を感じたからです。 “My strength is seeing things through responsibly” is 私の強みは、最後まで責任を持って取り組むことです。 Both answers need details that are true of your experience and interests.
“I’m sorry, but could you please repeat the question?” is 恐れ入りますが、質問をもう一度お聞かせいただけますか。 “Could you tell me about the duties I would handle after joining?” is 入社後に担当する業務について、教えていただけますか。
At the close, “Thank you for today. I appreciate your consideration” is 本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
You hand your manager the file in your Tokyo office. The relevant section is open in front of you. Ask courteously for a check.
Your turn — say it: こちらの件をご確認いただけますか…
こちらの件をご確認いただけますか。
The interviewer asks about your experience. You have chosen the relevant details and one example. Introduce your concise answer.
Your turn — say it: これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします…
これまでの経験について、簡潔にお話しします。
The interview ends, and you prepare to leave. Thank the interviewer for today and express your appreciation for their consideration.
Your turn — say it: 本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします…
本日はありがとうございました。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
You now have courteous expressions for the exchanges you have just practiced. Bring them into your Tokyo office and interview with clear delivery, truthful examples, and attention to the person speaking with you.