If you are planning to work in Japan, or finding a part-time job during your time studying in Japan. The business level Japanese skills are required in most cases. Before you start job hunting in Japan, let’s learn some kanji with our Kanji worksheet.
Our Business Japanese course designed to help you reach Japanese business fluency with an eye towards career advancement.
We’ve already presented the Japanese slang “nanpa” and “gyakunan” to describe flirting with someone – in particular on the street. This time, let’s get more serious and develop important words for dating in Japanese. Whether you live in Japan for a short time or for a few years, you never know what might happen. Who knows, maybe you will have a date with a Japanese friend tomorrow! So, how would you say dating in Japanese?
How to say “do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend” in Japanese?
First thing first, you might want to know if the lucky one is single. How would you ask “if he or she is already in a relationship? or If she has a boyfriend/he has a girlfriend?” in Japanese?
A natural, idiomatic way to say it would be 「つきあっている人がいますか？」”Tsukiatte iru hito ga imasu ka?”. Literally, “Is there someone you are dating?”. The verb “tsukiau” 「つきあう」「付き合う」is pretty much the same meaning as “dating” in English.
Example:
A:「つきあっている人がいますか？」 B: 「彼氏・彼女がいます。」
A: tsuki atte iru hito ga imasu ka B: kareshi / kanojyo ga imasu.
A: Are you dating someone? B: I have a boyfriend / girlfriend.
Boy asking the girl if she is dating someone
How to say “wanna go out with me?” in Japanese?
If he or she is single, you might wonder how to ask, “Will you go out with me?” in Japanese. Once again, the verb “tsukiau” will be one natural way to ask.
A: 「ぼくと／わたしとつきあってもらえませんか？」 A: Boku to / Watashi to tsukiatte moraemasen ka?
However, it is important to be careful with the verb “tsukiau”. While the broad definition is “to socialize,” the meaning changes greatly according to the context. Let’s review two of the most important nuances.
The main one is “to accompany somebody somewhere”, without any romantic involvement. It can be translated as “to be associated with”, “to go around together”, “to keep somebody’s company”.
「今日の帰りに本屋さんに行くんだけど、付き合ってくれない？」
Kyou no kaeri ni honya-san ni iku n da kedo, tsukiatte kurenai?
“I’m going to the bookshop on the way home today. Would you like to come along with me?”
「人と付き合うのを嫌う」
Hito to tsukiau no wo kirau.
To be insociable (to prefer one’s own company).
The second meaning is specific to love, as it means “to be in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.”
「３年付き合ってた彼と別れたばかりで、今付き合ってる人はいません。」
San-nen tsukiatteta kare to wakareta bakari de, ima tsukiatteru hito wa imasen.
I’m not going out with anyone at the moment. I’m just broken up with a guy I was with for three years.
「君達はいつからつきあっているのですか。」
Kimitachi wa itsu kara tsukiatte iru nodesu ka
How long have you been dating?
Another word for dating in Japanese
Another way to talk about dating in Japanese would be through the word “deeto” 「デート」 which derived from the English word “date”. The word was first introduced to the Japanese language at the end of the 19th century and became popular among the young generation of the middle class during the 20th century. It was used to express the day and time a man and a woman decide to meet. The introduction of the American dating culture was a culture shock, as previously, Japanese did not go on dates casually but always with the mindset of marriage.
「デートする」”deeto suru” to go on a date with
「彼氏・かのじょとデートがある」”kareshi/kanojyo to deeto ga aru” = to have a date with your boyfriend/girlfriend”
「デートに行ってくれますか？」”deeto no itte kuremasen ka?” = Will you go on a date with me?
「彼女をデートに誘った。」”kanojyo wo deeto ni sasotta” = I asked her for a date.
You might wonder if there is a difference between “deeto” and “tsukiau”. Well, deeto would be used for a few casual dates with someone, whereas “tsukiau” implies a deeper relationship with that person. How many dates you should have before it’s a relationship is still a mystery!
「付き合うまで何回デートする？」”tsukiau made nan kai deeto suru?” “how many date before being in a relationship?”
Now, that you have learnt how to say dating in Japanese, you are ready to go out asking someone on a date! If that date is successful, how would you ask to meet again?
「今度いつ会えますか。」
Kondo itsu aemasuka?
When can I see you next time?
Boy asks the girl if he can meet her next time
If someone decides to cancel on you last minute, do you know what it’s called in Japanese slang? Find out more here!
Dating Culture in Japan – Valentine’s Day and White Day
Valentine’s Day (バレンタインデー) and White Day (ホワイトデー) are two significant romantic holidays in Japan, each with its unique traditions. Valentine’s Day is on February 14th, and White Day is on March 14th.
Unlike in many Western countries where men and women exchange gifts on February 14th, Valentine’s Day in Japan is primarily a day for women to give chocolates to men. There are different types of chocolates given on this day: “honmei choco” (本命チョコ) is meant for romantic partners, “giri choco” (義理チョコ) is given to colleagues and male friends out of obligation, and sometimes “tomo choco” (友チョコ) is shared among female friends. To read more about this, read our blog here.
Exactly one month later, on March 14th, White Day, men who received chocolates are expected to return the favor with a gift typically valued at two to three times the amount they received. Common gifts on White Day include chocolates, cookies, marshmallows, jewelry, and even plush toys, depending on the nature of the relationship. Usually, reciprocating also means that the man has accepted the woman’s feelings for him, meaning he accepts to become a couple together or start dating!
Valentine’s Day and White Day remain culturally important. They add a structured element to Japanese romantic customs, emphasizing thoughtfulness and reciprocity in relationships.
Dating Sites or Apps in Japan
Online dating in Japan has grown significantly in recent years, with more people turning to dating apps and websites to find relationships. While traditional matchmaking methods like 合コン gokon (group blind dates) and お見合い omiai (arranged meetings for marriage) still exist, dating apps have become a mainstream way to meet potential partners, especially in urban areas.
Regarding using these dating sites or apps in Japan, Japanese users prefer detailed profiles with clear photos and descriptions of hobbies, jobs, and interests, favoring selfies or professional-looking pictures over group photos. Good to note is that many apps nowadays require identity verification to reduce fake accounts. In Japan, messaging your interest tends to start formally (です・ます form) before gradually becoming casual, with users taking time to get to know each other before meeting. If the chat went well, it is about time to meet in person. First dates are usually low-pressure, often at a café, with some preferring group outings first. Most importantly, punctuality and politeness are important, and being too forward can be off-putting.
Most Popular Dating Sites in Japan
There are a couple dating apps and sites that are used widely in Japan, here are a few suggestions:
Pairs (ペアーズ) – This app focuses on long-term relationships.
Omiai (お見合い) – Similar to Pairs, but more marriage-focused.
Tapple (タップル) – More casual and fun, great for younger users.
with (ウィズ) – Uses personality tests to match users.
Tinder – More popular among foreigners and those looking for casual dating.
Bumble – Similar to Tinder.
FAQ
How do I ask someone on a date in Japanese?
デートに行きませんか？ (Dēto ni ikimasen ka?) – “Would you like to go on a date?”
今度、一緒にご飯でもどうですか？ (Kondo, issho ni gohan demo dō desu ka?) – “How about grabbing a meal together sometime?”
How do I ask someone out casually in Japanese, without making it sound too serious?
今度、一緒に遊びに行かない？ (Kondo, issho ni asobi ni ikanai?) – “Want to hang out sometime?”
お茶でもどう？ (Ocha demo dō?) – “How about some tea?” (Casual and light)
What if I want to ask someone out formally or politely in Japanese?
よろしければ、食事に行きませんか？ (Yoroshikereba, shokuji ni ikimasen ka?) – “If you’d like, shall we go for a meal?”
お時間があれば、お茶でもいかがですか？ (Ojikan ga areba, ocha demo ikaga desu ka?) – “If you have time, how about some tea?”
How do I respond if someone asks me out in Japanese?
In this blog series, we will give some critical vocabulary for politics in Japanese.
These vocabulary words are designed to expand your range of words so that you can have more elaborate conversations.
(This will be a regular series and these blogs are primarily designed for intermediate-advanced learners – so for beginner learners we advise that you check out some of our other blogs here! 🙂 )
General Japanese words about Politics
Kanji
Romanized Pronunciation
Meaning
政治
seiji
Politics
政治家
seijika
Politician
政権
seiken
Political power
政党
seitou
Political party
政策
seisaku
Policy
政府
seifu
Government
国政
kokusei
Government, statecraft
行政
gyousei
Administration
内政
naisei
Domestic politics
外政
gaisei
Diplomatic politics (foreign diplomatic policy)
Japanese Politics vocabulary infographic
Japanese words about forms of Government
Kanji
Romanized Pronunciation
Meaning
政体
seitai
Form of Government
民政
minsei
Civilian Government
共和主義
Kyouwa-shugi
Republicanism
立憲主義
rikken-shugi
Constitutionalism
立憲君主制
rikken-kunshu-sei
Constitutional monarchy
民主主義
minshu-shugi
Democracy
独裁主義
dokusai shugi
Despotism, dictatorship
全体主義
zentai-shugi
Totalitarianism
If you are interested in learning Japanese but not sure how to work in Japan, the following information may be useful for you.
Due to the aging population and low birth rate in Japan, the government has relaxed the requirements for its immigration policy to cover for the labour shortage.
Many foreigners have started learning Japanese in Japan or in their home countries and wish to work and live in Japan in the future.
So where to begin? What is the first step towards finding a job in Japan?
Check your eligibility for getting a working visa
Getting a working visa is the norm for working long-term in Japan. There are some requirements for your educational background when acquiring a working visa. It varies depending on the occupation you will be working as.
However, in most cases, a bachelor degree is the least you need. On a case-by-case basis, lower educational levels are accepted with additional qualifications that prove your ability. Other things like prior working experiences may also be needed for certain positions.
You may feel that this is daunting, however, it can be simple. The short cut to searching for jobs is approaching a one-stop recruitment service providers such as Coto Work.
Many recruitment opportunities offered by big companies available on their website. Professional support will be provided at each stage of your application to make job hunting a worry-free process for you.
Prepare for interviews
Employment opportunities are brought to you by a recruitment service provider. Now you have to strive for your own success by doing well for interviews.
Once you get the job offer you wished and are all set to start working in Japan, brushing up on you Japanese will be the last thing to do.
If you are going to work in a Japanese speaking environment, your polite business Japanese must be improved to a point where you can mesh with your teams.
You will be expected to speak business Japanese and practice Japanese business etiquette. The sad truth is that passing certain levels of the JLPT is never enough for this.
To sharpen your Japanese skills, the most effective way is taking up a business Japanese course at a language school while working in Japan. Coto Japanese Academy offers business Japanese courses covering every aspect of business Japanese.
If you wish to learn Japanese in Tokyo, check out our various Japanese courses!
Send us an inquiry below: [contact-form-7 id=”12634″ title=”Inquiry Form_copy”]
“Learn your job by stealing!”
That is what my supervisor told me when I started working over 20 years ago.
日本語「は」こちら
Is this common in your country?
New employees don’t get things explained to them and aren’t allowed to ask lots of questions. They’re supposed to learn their jobs by observing their supervisor and senior employees.
I wasn’t apprenticed to some craftsman.
I was an ordinary company employee. There was no manual, and it was difficult to ask questions.
There was no way to learn the ropes.It’s a really inefficient system, right? Sobs That’s why I hated the idea of learning by stealing.
However, when it comes studying languages, I think that learning by stealing might be viable. I remember when I was taking English classes. I learned a lot by listening to the native teacher.
But, this is what really helped me to improve my conversational skills:Imitating my more advanced classmates.
“Saying this makes you sound really fluent.”
“You use this phrase at times like this.” “I see. I didn’t realize that this phrase existed.” And so on. It’s a lot easier to steal from someone who is closer to your level. If you aren’t confident in your Japanese ability, then speaking with a native Japanese speaker is really difficult.
You might have something to say, but you don’t know the vocabulary. You don’t know how to express your ideas.
Because you’re speaking slowly, the other person switches to English. The conversation doesn’t last very long if you only use Japanese…
So, you end up thinking, “I’ll just speak in English.”
Before that, why not try speaking more with your classmates?
You can relax more than when you’re speaking with a native speaker.
It’s just for practice, so it doesn’t matter if you make mistakes.
Then one day, you can try what you’ve learned with a native speaker to build your confidence.
So, keep on stealing from your classmates to learn more. You can become fluent by effectively using the “Learn by stealing!” principle! About the Author – Yumi Yoshida from Tohoku has 16 years experience as a Japanese Language Teacher. Yumi loves hiking, traveling and drinking Japanese Sake. She thinks that the best way to learn Japanese is from fun and friendly conversation. (さらに…)
日本語はこちらから
In the “E” edition of the “A I U E O” blog, we would like to introduce a Japanese saying.
Have you ever heard of the saying “縁の下の力持ち En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi?”
Example)
A: “What do I do? I’m a wedding planner. I run around doing behind-the-scenes work at
weddings. It’s a dull job but it’s also a hard job.”
B: “Really? But you’re working to help a very special once-in-a-lifetime event happen,
right?
What an amazing job! You’re an “En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi”!”
A: “It sounds nice when you put it that way. It makes my job seem worthwhile.”
“En-no-shita” refers to the space under the floor in Japanese houses in the old days,
and “chikara-mochi” means “a person with strength”. So, the literal meaning of
“En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi” is “Someone supporting the entire house from under the
floor”, which translates to ” a person(or a job), that supports someone/something from
a place where no one is watching.” Such people/jobs are an integral part of a company,
and society in general.
There are many examples of such hardworking people hidden from the limelight,
like people who work backstage at a musical or staff members who support F-1 racers.
If you think about it, only a handful of people are actually in the limelight and
the great majority of people are those who support such people in the background.
The great thing about Japanese society is that these “supporters” are recognized and
appreciated. The term “En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi” is used when praising others or
when one tries to make themselves appealing to others.
*When praising others:
“Needless to say, our leader Yamada-san and his great efforts contributed to the success
of this project. But we cannot forget about Yoshioka-san, who supported us as the
“En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi”.
*Making yourself appealing to others (During a job interview) :
“I was one of the managers of our college’s ice hockey team.
As an “En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi”, I supported them in the background by managing
the players’ health as well as their schedules, while they won 3 national competitions”.
The underlying feeling we have when we talk about others is the feeling of gratitude
we have for them. Let’s not forget to tell these people “Thank you, I’m grateful”
like 本当にありがとうございます。感謝しています。.
Are there any “En-no-shita-no-chikara-mochi”s around you? If you have the chance,
why not express your gratitude to them using this term?
What Are Some Key Questions Asked at a Japanese Job Interview?
The key thing to remember is that the interviewer is more interested in how you answer their question rather than what your actual answers are. If you can deliver an answer with confidence and proper Japanese, this will indicate that you will be able to communicate with your potential future coworkers. However, if your answers are vague or the delivery is not good then it’s more likely that the interviewer will continue to ask more detailed questions which can quickly lead you to an area that you might not be comfortable with. To avoid this practice coming up with detailed answers to the questions below, deliver your answers with confidence and you will stand a good chance of getting the job!
Interviewer: これまでやってきたことを簡単に教えてください The best way to introduce yourself is with a short monologue of your work history and why you came to Japan. Japanese companies like to hear that their employees are enthusiastic about Japan so try to give a few key points about what drew you to working in Japan. Avoid going on to talk about your personal achievements unless the interviewer employer specifically asked for it. This can come off as arrogant for some, which is the last impression you’d like to leave on your interviewer before walking out of the interview room.
Since this is a common question that will be asked at most interviews it is a good idea to practice your answers in advance with a native Japanese speaker. We also offer full training for job interview preparation through our Business Japanese Course.
2. “Why do you want to work here?”
Interviewer: どうしてうちの会社で働きたいんですか This is your chance to show that you have done research on the company. Your answers should demonstrate that not only would you be a good fit for the role but that the company can also benefit from your career objectives. Mentioning some recent updates about the company is also a good strategy to show that you can keep up with Japanese news. The key here would be to try and draw a connection between how the company is performing versus how the economy is performing. From there, offer them some ways in which you can value-add onto their company. Japanese companies do not like to see large gaps in your work history. They also don’t like to see that you have switched companies frequently. If you do have large gaps between jobs or haven’t been able to keep a job for very long, prepare for some very good explanations in Japanese.
This would be since you would come off as someone who lacks commitment or wouldn’t want to commit to a job for very long. In turn, the interviewers may get turned off by the fact that you may not be able to last very long as an employee in their firm either.
3. “Why did you leave your last company?”
Interviewer: どうして前の会社を辞めたんですか This is not a time to bad mouth your previous employer, even if you did leave on undesirable terms. Also, try to avoid lying about your performance or adaptability in the previous company. Your interviewers can simply conduct a background check on you by contacting the previous company and this can make you look bad as an interviewee in general, so keep that in mind! A better strategy, however, would be to use this question to talk positively about the company that you are interviewing with. A safe answer would be that you enjoyed your time at your previous company and learned a lot but you feel that you are ready for your next step in your career and that the new company can offer many more opportunities.
Once again remember that it isn’t so much about what you say but how you say it. If you deliver your answer smoothly and with confidence, the less likely your interviewer would be to ask you more detailed questions.
4. “What do you want to do in your future?”
Interviewer: 将来どんな仕事をしてきたいですか This question is best answered by showing that your future career goals are something that you can build within the company. For example, if you are a back-end engineer, your goal might be towards becoming a full stack engineer and this is something that you can accomplish within the company you are interviewing for. Think of answers that can demonstrate that over time, by developing your skills and becoming a more valuable employee to the company. In short, try to keep your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based.
The key thing to remember when answering these questions is to focus on having a smooth delivery and speaking with confidence. How you speak is as important as what you say when it comes to a Japanese job interview. Also, do remember to conduct a thorough look through on the company you are applying for to get a better understanding of what the company does. Rehearse one day prior to the interview and you should be all set! We wish you all the best in your interviews! :D(Remember to use Formal Japanese(Keigo) during the interview Click to tweet this article and benefit more people!
If you are looking for more training on mastering business level Japanese, check out our business Japanese course which is specifically designed to help bilingual foreigners improve their career opportunities in Japan by improving their business level communication, or fill in the form below and we will contact you back shortly. If you already have a Job in Japan, don’t worry, we also offer part-time Japanese courses to suit to your daily schedule!
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo, find out more about our school by filling out the form below.
Many have heard of the fabled “job hunting visa,” but what is it exactly? It’s a Status of Residence called Designated Activities. The status has been a catch-all term for miscellaneous activities the Ministry of Justice (who is responsible for the Immigration Bureau of Japan) allows foreigners to stay in Japan for such as: staff for a diplomat, take a working holiday, and work as a nurse.
Since late last year, the status now includes foreign students actively seeking employment after graduating from a university or equivalent form of higher education.
This is great news for foreign exchange students as this allows them to continue the job hunt after they have graduated from their school instead of having to go back home. Normally when someone enters Japan under a “student visa,” they are encouraged to leave the country when their studies end since their residence status is in a gray area after they are no longer attending school even if their period of stay is longer than their school term.
Unfortunately, this special status for job hunting only covers individuals who will be fresh graduates of a Japanese university or equivalent educational institution. Those that are in between jobs or wish to change residence statuses will not be granted the Designated Activities due to this prerequisite.
The requirements are outlined below, but make sure to check the official Ministry of Justice website (in Japanese) for the most up to date and accurate information.
Foreign residents who graduate from a university, vocational school, or technical college may be eligible to apply for this change of status, but the requirements differ based on the type of educational institution one graduates from. Applicants must also start job hunting before graduation and will need to prove that they have been doing so. With these in mind, here are some useful phrases to help you out with your interviews! Also, remember to look up some of the key questions asked before you walk into the interview room to show that you are well-prepared ;D University graduates require the following documents:
Recommendation letter from the school
Document to prove that they are currently job hunting
Diploma
Technical college graduates require the following documents:
Same as University graduates
*This category might seem confusing since not all foreign residents have an equivalent type of education in their home country, but this is a hybrid system of high school and technical higher education chosen as an alternative to high school and university.
These schools tend to train individuals in work such as construction, mechanics, electricity, etc. Vocational school graduates require the following documents:
Certificate of completion from the vocational school
Academic transcript
Recommendation letter from the school
Document to prove that they are currently job hunting
Explanation of type of studies and specialization at the school
*Be aware the Ministry of Justice may ask for more documents All applicants must also bring the following documents to Immigration:
Change of Status of Residence application form Photograph Passport Residence card Proof of being able to financially support self while job hunting (bank statements)
Some applicants may need to submit additional documents to prove their identity, such as a family register.
All documents must be translated into Japanese. Documents submitted will not be returned, so please make copies of them. Once the change of status is granted, it is valid for 6 months. We hope this helps clear up any misunderstandings about getting a visa to job hunt in Japan and wish the best of luck to all the new graduates.
If you are looking for a new career change in Japan and would like to improve your current Japanese level, our business course is the best solution for you.
For a limited time we are discounting the course by 30% for all registrants!
Our course is Monday through Friday, 3 hours everyday.
2 weeks – ￥50,000 → ￥35,000
4 weeks – ￥100,000 → ￥70,000
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Click the link to learn more about our Private Japanese Course.
Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.
