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The word keigo (敬語) is written with the kanji that means “to respect” (敬) or “to admire” and the kanji for “language” (語). Japanese society has always cared for hierarchy to the point that honorific speech seems to be a whole other language. If you’re planning to build a fulfilling career in Japan, knowing business Japanese will help you stand out during your job search.

Whatever the reason you are studying Japanese, we believe you are having fun. You enjoyed writing your first hiragana and katakana. Gradually, you were able to express yourself and hold a steady casual conversation in Japanese. Or, at least, that was at the beginning.

As you reach the intermediate step, the fun fades away, and you are shaking your head in despair as you try to understand Japanese honorific speech.

So in this article, we’re guiding you through all the nooks and crannies of Japanese keigo, from the viewpoint of a non-native. We’ll discuss the honorific forms, humble forms, conjugations, and phrases.

Want to boost your career in Japan? Coto Academy’s 3-month Business Japanese Course is designed to help you master keigo (business Japanese) and improve workplace communication skills. Gain the confidence to speak professionally with colleagues and clients, navigate meetings, and open up new career opportunities!

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Introduction to Japanese Keigo

Do you know that Japan had a caste system in the past? Until the Meiji restoration, people in different castes would not speak the same Japanese as a form of respect for social ranks. Despite the disappearance of the caste system, honorific speech is still used to mark the degree of intimacy or social standing between people.

To use keigo is to show your consideration and respect for a person older than you or someone with a higher social standing. Age isn’t the only factor. It can be based on a different position or experience in a company, like your senpai (someone who’s more senior). Your speech will differ accordingly to the person in front of you: a friend, a colleague, a chief, or a client; and to whom you a referring to yourself, your friend, colleague, or client.

But don’t believe keigo speech is easier for native speakers, too. Japanese kids learn keigo the hard way, as they enter junior high school and are confronted with the Japanese hierarchy. Suddenly, they have to mark the difference between 先輩 (elder students) and 後輩 (junior students).

If the thought of learning a whole new style of speaking Japanese sounds scary, then you are not alone. Memorizing keigo is a challenge for even Japanese people so it’s good to know that we’re all in the same position. Very often, Japanese people will not learn keigo in school, but during intensive training sessions before they start their first job.

The Concept of Uchi and Soto

To better understand respectful speech, take a peek into the Japanese concept of uchi and soto, or “in-out” (内-外). The idea might seem simple: uchi (内) literally means “inside”, while soto (外) means “outside”. But both words aren’t just about the physical position. They’re used to describe social distance, too.

The concept of uchi and soto shapes Japan’s culture. In sociology and social psychology, there is the concept of “in-group” and “out-group”, and the Japanese society takes this matter more seriously — so seriously, in fact, that it plays a significant role in its language.

Basically, an in-group is the social group that you identify as a member of. Out-group, on the other hand, is a group that doesn’t fall into the in-group.

In Japanese, 内 means home. As a concept, uchi (内) reflects in-group and refers to all the people you know inside a specific social circle: your family, your company and your club. For example, inside the 内, family members may drop the title.

In Japanese, soto (外) is the culture’s equivalent of an out-group. As a concept, 外 refers to all the people who are not inside your specific social circle. For example, another company’s employee or team rival.

So why are these concepts important in Japanese keigo? Japan, like many Eastern countries that tend to be collectivist, follows the rough idea that conformity in society is more important, the opposite of the more individualistic views of Western culture.

In other words, being part of a group is an important element in Japan. Japanese speech differs depending on the social context of what you define as your in-group at the moment.

In-group can go as small as your family and span a country. Think of the concept of “us” and “them”. This dynamic concept affects social interactions and is reflected in the Japanese language. So keep in mind that you will not use honorific words when speaking about insiders (people from your social circles) to outsiders.

Japanese Keigo for Beginners

Before you actually dive into keigo, you will probably learn the polite verb forms, otherwise known as teinei (丁寧/ていねい). This consists of the stem of a verb and what is called the ~ます form. For example, the verb “to see”, 見（み）る, becomes 見（み）ます.

Keigo covers both humble form, kenjougo (謙譲語), and polite form, sonkeigo (尊敬語), with various levels of vocabulary and expressions. This written Japanese offers even more complexity.

When you start to have a good command of Japanese, you will realize that politeness in Japanese is of great importance when dealing with elders or working in a professional environment. You will learn to adjust your speech depending on whether you have a certain intimacy with someone or to emphasize the social rank disparity if you are in a higher position.

ご飯を食べます。
Gohan o tabemasu.

映画をみます。
Eiga o mimasu.

But what if you want to show even more respect to someone? After all, humility is a big part of Japanese culture, in work or social life. Take a look at the table below to see three different levels of “politeness”.

CasualFormalKeigo
お土産をもらった。
Omiyage o moratta		お土産をもらいました。
Omiyage o moraimashita		お土産をいただきました。
Omiyage o itadakimashita.

One of our students joked that a good rule of thumb is this: the longer the sentence becomes, the more polite and formal it is. We don’t know if it’s entirely true, but that’s the pattern we see.

Now, you’re most likely to use the casual Japanese form with your in-group, with whom you have an equal or casual relationship. This can be your classmates who you know very well, your close friends, siblings, or even parents.

Going up a notch, the formal form is typically used for someone who has more social distance from you: your teachers, coworkers, or strangers.

You use the utmost polite Japanese keigo to someone you deem to sit in a much higher social hierarchy. This demographic falls to people like your managers, boss, and, yes, customers or clients.

But remember the “in-group” and “out-group” concepts again? Japanese people, especially women, have a tendency to use keigo even to a stranger, so don’t be surprised if they talk to you in a very humble and honorific language.

Basic Rules of Keigo

Now that we’ve gotten over who we can use keigo and the concept of uchi and soto, we can deal with the real keigo rules. The Japanese language is actually divided into three groups: the polite style, the humble style, and the honorific style.

When using keigo, some words can be substituted for a more respectful version. For example, the word あした (tomorrow) and ひと (person) will become あす and かた, respectively. This form of speech is called Aratamatta iikata (改まった言い方): formal speech.

The second thing to know is that Japanese honorific prefixes o or go can be added to certain nouns and verbs. The easiest examples is certainly tea, ch,a which becomes “o-cha” and family, 家族, which becomes ご家族. 

The adjunction of honorifics after names is also a part of respectful speech. The polite さん, like Tanaka-san (田中さん) becomes Tanaka-sama (田中様).

1. Polite Japanese: Teineigo (丁寧語)

The polite style is the easiest form of keigo, ruled by regular grammar with a structure similar to casual speech. Thus, it is the first form of keigo taught to Japanese language learners. So when you are using です and ます instead of the dictionary form, a considerate and formal tone of Japanese, you are already using keigo.

As a reminder, the copula です comes after nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, generally, at the end of a sentence, while the suffix ます is added at the end of a verb.

EnglishRegular丁寧語
I am going to buy a book.本を買いに行く。
Hono kaini iku.		本を買いに行きます。
Hono kaini ikimasu.
The phone is broken.携帯(けいたい)が壊(こわ)れた。
Keitaiga kowareta.		携帯が壊れました。　
Keitaiga kowaremashita.
What is this?これは何だ 。
Korewa nan da.		こちらは何ですか。
Kochirawa nandesuka.

2. Honorific Japanese: Sonkeigo (尊敬語)

This style is to show respect to someone of a higher position, like a superior or a customer, when speaking to them. You should never use 尊敬語 form to refer to yourself. The usage of 尊敬語 is difficult to understand and characterized by lengthy polite sentences. Whereby, common verbs will change to more polite ones, and some will even change into a respectful form.

EnglishRegularHonorofic Form
Is Mr. Tanaka here?すみません、田中先生はいますか。
Sumimasen, tanaka-sensei wa imasuka		すみません、田中先生はいらっしゃいますか
Sumimasen, tanaka-sensei wa irasshaimasuka
How was the interview?面接はどうでしたか。
Mensetsu wa dou deshitaka		面接はいかがでしたか。
Mensetsu wa ikaga deshitaka

Humble Keigo: 謙譲語

In the table above, you will find the honorific and humble styles’ special set expressions, along with the polite and casual speech forms.

The following humble set-expressions おります, 参ります, いたします, いただきます, もうします, 存じでおります are part of a third category called 丁重語. This courteous form of keigo is not often referred to and is used when your action does not directly involve the listener, but most likely the person you are talking to is someone to whom you want to be very polite.

EnglishRegular謙譲語
I am Sakura. 私はさくらです。
Watashi wa sakura desu.		私はさくらと申します。
Watashi wa sakura to moushimasu.
The phone is broken.携帯(けいたい)が壊(こわ)れた。
Keitaiga kowareta.		携帯が壊れました。　
Keitaiga kowaremashita.
I read the bookこの本を読みました。
Kono hon o yomimashita.		こちらの本を拝読しました。
Kochira no hon haitokushimashita.

When referring to yourself, you should be humble. When referring to someone in your inner circle, you should humble them too — because the concept of “in-group” stipulates that they’re part of you too.

The kenjougo (謙譲語) is used to lower your social status when speaking about yourself. It should be used when you are speaking to someone of higher social rank when describing the actions of you or someone in your circle. Like for 尊敬語, the 謙譲語 substitutes verbs with other forms. Nouns may also change: the word 人, previously mentioned, will become 者.

This is particularly important in the Japanese work environment. When you’re speaking directly to your manager, you will probably address them in honorific form — because they’re socially higher than you. Easy, right?

Now, what about when you’re talking to your company’s clients, and suddenly need to mention your managers? To refer to them directly, do you use the humble or honorific form?

The answer is humble form. This is because in that moment, your manager is part of your in-group (uchi) and the client is your soto. An important thing to know is that you “raise” people from your out-group while you lower the people in your in-group, regardless of the individual’s status from the beginning.

Japanese Keigo Conjugation

For both honorific and humble styles, as seen previously, certain verbs have set expressions. For the verbs without such set expressions, they obey keigo conjugations. The first rule is the adjunction of the polite prefix “o” to the stem of the verb.

We often focus on verb constructions and the social relations between a speaker and a listener, but keigo covers more than set expressions and situational examples. In particular, the Japanese language uses honorific prefixes. Most of you might know that the Japanese honorific prefixes お (o) or ご (go) can be added to some nouns and verbs.

When used with a noun, it is preceded by either お (o) or ご (go), but is limited to only nouns which indicate actions (suru verbs). For a verb, erase the ます and add になる.

EnglishHonorific Form
Verbお + Verb ます (stem form) + になる
Nounお/ご + Noun + になる

部長はいつ海外からお戻りになりますか。

課長はお変えになりました。

You can essentially add お (o) or ご (go) to any nouns to transform them into honorific form, but be careful. Adding too many prefixes will make your sentences sound awkward — we don’t want you trying too hard, and there are other ways to talk in keigo without putting お before every object.

However, you’ll most likely encounter these words without realizing that they are nouns with honorific prefixes.

EnglishHonorific JapaneseRomaji
Teaお茶Ocha
Waterお水Omizu
Alcoholお酒Osake
Mealご飯Gohan
Orderご注文Gochuumon
Sweetsお菓子Okashi
Timeお時間Ojikan

For the humble style, the construction of the verb will be as follows: お/ご + stem of the verb + する. You have certainly heard it before in お+願い+します(“please”).

The honorific style can also be expressed with what is called the “easy keigo,” with verbs used in the passive form れる or られる. Although said to be easier, this form of keigo can be confused with the passive voice and should be used with care.

29 Useful Japanese Keigo Phrases for Work

The first step is understanding that some kanji readings and some words are different depending on whether you are casual or polite. The easiest example is the word “tomorrow”. You’ll learn 明日 is read あした, but as you progress in your Japanese studies, you’ll quickly encounter the reading あす.

EnglishCasual JapaneseKeigo words for work
Tomorrow明日（あした）明日（あす）
After tomorrow明後日（あさって）明後日（みょうごにち）
Last night昨日の夜昨夜 （さくや）
Tomorrow morning 明日の朝明朝 （みょうちょう）
From tomorrow明日以降後日 （ごじつ）
This year今年本年 （ほんねん）
The other dayこの間先日 （せんじつ）
On that day その日当日 （とうじつ）
Last year: 去年（きょねん）去年（さくねん）
Year before last 一昨年（おととし）一昨年（いっさくねん）
Soon, shortlyもうすぐまもなく
Nowいまただいま
Earlier前に以前 （いぜん）
Later あとで後ほど （あとほど）
Immediatelyすぐにさっそく
This time, now今度このたび
Just nowさっき先ほど （さきほど）
Whereどこどちら
This wayこっちこちら
That wayあっちあちら
Over thereそっちそちら
Which one どっちどちら
Just a minute ちょっと少々 （しょうしょう）
Very, terriblyとても大変 （たいへん）
Very, greatlyすごく非常に （ひじょうに）
How many, how muchどのくらいいかほど
A few, a little: 少し些少（さしょう）
Considerable 多い多大 （ただい）
About, approximately～ぐらい～ほど

When Should I Use Japanese Keigo?

Well, respectful language should be used toward older people, toward distinguished people, and in the workplace. Of course, exceptions exist, and that is why keigo is as difficult for native speakers as for learners.

The respectful language can be strictly applied in one company or more loosely in another. Foreigners often get slack from the Japanese as they do not expect a non-native to master this speech.

The difficulty also resides in the unknown: a gathering of people you do not know, and here you are at a loss, not knowing who is eminent, who is your age, and who is younger. In some contexts, casual speech is preferred as an icebreaker while Keigo would be considered too distant.

Speaking Keigo As a Foreigner in Japan

While native speakers are expected to use proper keigo (and if they do not, they are seen as unprofessional and will be frowned upon), the same is not always true for non-native speakers. Foreigners are often forgiven for their misuse of keigo and are excused for not having a good command of that high level of Japanese.

That being said, you should do your best to try and learn Japanese keigo. And the best way to master the Japanese honorific is to learn slowly but surely all the ins and outs of respectful speech.

Learn business Japanese with Coto Academy!

Want to thrive in your career in Japan or make a successful job switch? As Japan becomes increasingly international, mastering Japanese is more important than ever to boost your professional opportunities.

One of the best ways to advance is by learning proper business Japanese at top language schools like Coto Academy. Our bespoke Business Japanese classes cover essential workplace etiquette, keigo (honorific language), and professional manners tailored for the Japanese work environment.

What sets us apart? We keep classes small — just 8 students per group — so you get plenty of speaking practice and personalized attention. Most of our students are expats or Tokyo residents with work experience in Japan, making it a great opportunity to build your network and connect with a supportive community.

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FAQ

What is Keigo?

Keigo is the Japanese system of honorific language used to show respect, politeness, and humility depending on the social context.

Why is Keigo important in Japanese?

It reflects respect for hierarchy and social relationships. Using keigo correctly is essential in formal situations like work, customer service, and meeting new people.

What are the main types of Keigo?

  • Teineigo (丁寧語): Polite language using -masu/-desu endings.
  • Sonkeigo (尊敬語): Respectful language for elevating others.
  • Kenjōgo (謙譲語): Humble language to lower yourself or your in-group.

When should I use Sonkeigo?

When referring to the actions of someone above you in status, like a boss, customer, or teacher.

When should I use Kenjougo?

When talking about your own actions in a formal setting, especially in service roles or business.

Is Teineigo enough for daily conversations?

Yes! Teineigo is perfectly fine for general polite conversations, especially if you’re a learner or in casual-professional settings.

Do native speakers always use Keigo perfectly?

Not always. Even native speakers adjust based on context and may sometimes mix forms casually.

How can I practice Keigo?

Listen to real conversations (like in dramas or customer service), mimic phrases, and study common verb transformations for each keigo type.

Is Keigo only for business?

No—while it’s crucial in business, it’s also used in schools, public services, formal events, and when meeting someone for the first time.

Want to work in Japan? You might like related content like:

Living in Japan, I’ve always faced the uncertainty of speaking keigo and “casual” Japanese (tameguchi). Beyond social hierarchy (as in who’s higher than you), the degree of intimacy and relationship plays a big role in how you should communicate. It’s not just the literal word that conveys the meaning, but the delivery and tone of speech that reveals your intentions. 

This won’t be a full breakdown of keigo, as we have a very thorough section dedicated to helping you understand the formal Japanese language (like knowing Japanese honorifics). This won’t also be a list of Japanese slang or swear words. Instead, this will be a more generic guide on the difference between using Keigo and tameguchi. 

Sometimes, people use a mix of keigo and tameguchi. If you’re starting out, you might be so conflicted on which form to use that you end up switching one with the other. This is completely fine — as fine as a common Japanese language mistake all learners make, of course.

Jump to:

Keigo (敬語) vs Tameguchi (タメ口)

Going back to the first sentence, I’ve faced a bunch of awkward conversations in the konbini where I would bounce between speaking in keigo and tameguchi with the employee. Here’s an example:

袋がいらないだけど。レシートをいただけますか？
Fukuro ga iranai da. Reshiito o itadakemasuka?
I don’t need a plastic bag, but can I get the receipt?

In the first sentence, I’m (involuntarily) using tameguchi: using da instead of desu. This makes my statement feels blunter. The second sentence uses the basic keigo rule: replacing morau (to receive) with its most humble form itadaku. 

Meaning-wise, you can bet that you get the message across, but imagining you’re talking with a mix of old, Victorian-era English with Gen-Z lingo. Yikes. 

Generally, keigo Japanese shows respect and politeness to strangers, but when you’re using it in every conversation with store staff and employees, you can sound as if you’re trying too hard — which, frankly, you are. At the same time, using a too-casual form can easily make someone frown. The easiest way is to stick with formal Japanese. 

However, as you get more comfortable with speaking Japanese, you may want to ‘upgrade’ said skill. After all, how can you prove you’re advanced in speaking the language when you don’t speak like a native?

What’s Keigo? Teineigo, Sonkeigo and Kenjougo 

Keigo is the Japanese polite form used when you meet someone for the first time or strangers, elders, people who have higher social status than you — and, often dismissed, when you’re talking to an out-group. 

The first three groups are pretty self-explanatory, and most of you probably know about this when you’re just starting to learn Japanese. If you go to luxury department stores, supermarkets or konbini, the staff will always speak in keigo.

いらっしゃいませ！
Irrashaimase!
Welcome!

When you’re talking to your boss and clients, you will also use the same keigo form. To address yourself and your own actions, you will use the Japanese humble form, kenjougo (謙譲語), in front of them.

However, when referring to someone in your inner circle, you should humble them too. What does that mean? For example, while you might use kenjougo to refer to yourself in front of your boss and clients, what happens when you’re out with your boss together to have a meeting with your client?

When this happens, you represent both the company and your boss. The concept of “in-group” stipulates that they’re part of you too, so even though your manager. An important thing to know is that you “raise” people from your out-group while you lower the peope in your in-group, regardless of the individual’s status from the beginning.

The other type of Japanese keigo is 尊敬語 (sonkeigo). Think of kenjougo as an honorific form that humbles the person who’s talking. Referring to yourself in the most humble way “raises” the status listener. Sonkeigo, on the other hand, “elevates” and shows respect for superiors, out-groups and people in a higher position. 

Keep in mind that Japanese keigo (polite form) is different from formal Japanese, also known as teineigo. For everyday interactions with strangers, standard teineigo (丁寧語) will do just fine. For example:

私の名前はコトです。
Watashi no namae wa koto desu.
My name is Coto. 

私はコトと申します。
Watashi wa koto to moushimasu.
My name is Coto. 

The first sentence uses formal Japanese, while the second uses the most humble form of “~ to say”. Although both means “My name is (name)”, these sentences carry a different nuance and will present you in a different way. 

When You Shouldn’t Use Keigo

While it is okay to use keigo to strangers who might be younger than you, if you are an adult talking to an obvious kid in keigo, you’ll get a few raised eyebrows. They’ll probably understand (although some younger Japanese children may not know keigo yet), but they will feel strange. 

The most important thing is to not use exaggerated keigo speech you hear and read in Japanese pop culture: anime, manga or historical movies. Remember that the Japanese used in these media are totally different than the ones in real life. You don’t want to sound like a low-caste farmer talking to a feudal lord during the samurai era. 

What’s Tameguchi? Casual Japanese Form

Tameguchi is a form of Japanese language used to refer to speaking to someone else as an equal — without using humble, honorific or even formal language. Tameguchi” means a way of talking that doesn’t contain polite expressions in Japanese conversation. 

The ため in this word was originally a gambling term, referring to when a pair of dice landed on the same number. The word “guchi” comes from the kanji kuchi (口), which means mouth or way of talking. The other name for tameguchi is tamego (タメ語) — 語 meaning “language”. 

Tameguchi is casual and, if used in the wrong scenario, impolite. One of the easiest ways to spot the difference between polite, formal and casual Japanese is the length. 

やっば〜！宿題忘れちゃった！
Yabbaa! Shukudai wasurechatta!
Oh no! I forgot my homework! 

Tameguchi, or casual Japanese, tend to be shorter compared to keigo. Let’s take a look at a scenario where you are asking someone to pass you the salt.

お塩を回していただけますでしょうか。(Keigo)
Oshio o mawashite itadakemashouka?

塩ちょうだい。(Tameguchi)
Shio choudai.

Notice the first sentence is way longer than the second? This is because it incorporates all the basic rules of keigo: adding the honorific prefixes of o (お) or go (ご) and いただく.

Another example is written below. 

大阪へはどうやっていけますか？(Teineigo)
Oosaka e wa dou yatte ikemasuka?
How do you get to Osaka?

大阪へはどうやって行くの? (Tameguchi)
Oosaka e wa dou yatte iku no?

When Can You Use Tameguchi?

When you’re talking to someone younger, it’s usually okay to use casual Japanese — even if you are meeting them for the first time. Remember that seniority plays a big part in Japanese society. Elders will use it when they’re talking to kids. It is, however, a big red flag when you reverse the situation. You should never use tameguchi to someone you’re trying to show respect to.  

Japanese people adopt a high-context culture, which means there are many factors taken into consideration in communication: status, social relationships, social environment, formality, non-verbal gestures and even silence. Because of this, you might come across a few trials and errors before you can discern the appropriate time to use tameguchi and keigo.

When you are not sure, formal Japanese is probably the best form of the Japanese language. 

When Should You Not Use Tameguchi?

If you have just met a person and they talk to you as if they’ve known you all their life, you might feel a bit uncomfortable. 

In Western culture, ‘casual’ language is a great way to break down the ice and help relax the mood. However, you don’t want to present yourself as ‘too friendly’ in front of a stranger. There’s not really an exact point when you can use tameguchi, but generally, you both need to establish a good, intimate relationship. 

Where to Learn — and Not to Learn — Tameguchi

The same thing goes for tameguchi. You wouldn’t want to imitate the slang and way of talking from anime or manga — particularly if it’s shounen (young boy’s) genre.

Think of anime dialogue as the sort of dialogue you’d hear among 12-year-olds at recess, where they’re just shouting “Baka!” While some shows do take place in business seating and incorporate more polite, realistic characters, most of them tilt towards one extremity: super polite or super rude.

In most cases, dialogue in anime is very direct. Used outside the context of anime, it comes off as coarse, insulting, and even derogatory. The easiest way to look at it is this: even anime voice actors don’t speak like that. Instead, they often overexaggerate the words and manipulate the tone of their voice depending on the character’s personality. 

Learning Japanese from anime might make you more comfortable with the language and its structure, but taken by itself, it can really throw off your progress. The last thing you want to do is default your Japanese speaking skill to super-casual. 

Learning Japanese casual forms is a bit more tricky than learning keigo as there are seldom formal lessons about it. JLPT N2 and N1 examine your ability to use Japanese in the business setting, so keigo is usually part of the curriculum of many JLPT prep courses and advanced-level classes. 

However, tameguchi is not often taught in classroom lessons as often as in formal forms. Your best bet is to learn from comics, social media — and Japanese people. Try listening to your Japanese friends when they’re talking to one another. Slowly, you’ll start to adopt a few informal Japanese and obtain enough fluency to interact with them on a more personal, casual level. This is what’s known as immersion-based learning, where you learn a new language in the most natural way by interacting directly in the environment.  

Conclusion

Some people use tameguchi when they speak to foreigners because it’s simple and straightforward, while keigo relies on a lot of implications. 

However, Japanese people are more tolerant when non-native speakers use tameguchi in the wrong setting. Using over-enunciated street slang or super-casual Japanese isn’t seen as ignorance, but rather “beginner errors” in the use of language. 

What is tameguchi?

Tameguchi is a form of Japanese language used to refer to speaking to someone else as an equal — without using humble, honorific or even formal Japanese expressions.

What is keigo?

Keigo refers to words, phrases, and conjugations in the Japanese language that are used in formal or official situations.

When should we use keigo?

You use keigo when you’re talking to someone who is older than you or has a higher social status. You may also use them when you are talking to a stranger.

Learning the Japanese language that you can actually use in real life can be tricky. What you learn in textbooks may not always be used in real life. Coto Academy has excellent teachers and lessons that can take you from beginner to advanced. We also offer programs to improve your business Japanese and understanding of Japanese culture. If you are interested in learning with us, contact us here.

Introduction
Rules of Japanese Honorific Prefixes
Frequent Expressions

Japanese Polite Prefixes

When learning the Japanese respectful speech called Keigo, the attention is often focused on verbs construction and the social relations between a speaker and a listener. However, Keigo covers more than set expressions and situational examples, and in particular Japanese uses Honorific Prefixes.
Most of you might know that the Japanese honorific prefixes お (O) or ご (Go) can be added to some nouns.
お水（みず）
Water
ご家族（かぞく）
Family
Among all rules of Keigo, there is a special one that deserves all our attention. Despite being often reduced to 2 or 3 lines in textbooks, learners are often deprived of the ability to enjoy the concept and explanation of the said rule. Have you ever heard of its the name and what we can consider a subdivision of Keigo?
美化語（びかご）
Beautified Speech
The word beautification is the art of making words more polite by adding Japanese Honorific Prefixes to noun or to the Polite Form of Verbs. In the ears of Japanese people, the adjunction of “O” and “Go” adds beauty to one’s words and manner.

However, for Japanese learners, this construction can be a bit tricky.

Rules of Japanese Honorific Prefixes

In general, the difficulty resides in knowing when to correctly and consistently use the Japanese Honorific Prefixes. In order to correctly place お or ご, it is necessary to understand the distinction between 音読（おんよ）み, the Chinese reading, as well as 訓読（くんよ）み, the Japanese reading.

  • Before a native Japanese word, you should place an お. The prefix お can be attached to a noun but can also be attached to a verb stem for the grammatical construction of Keigo.
  • Before a Sino-Japanese word, you should place ご. The tough part comes in when you have to figure which words comes from China.
  • However, note that there are exceptions whereby a Sino-Japanese Word has an お attached to it instead of a ご:
      • Tea: “o-cha” (お茶ちゃ)
    • Get well: “o-daijini” (お大事だいじに)

Frequent Expressions

To further understand the readings and origins of the Japanese vocabulary is not an easy task. Our best advice would be to actively listen to natives speaking Japanese and thereafter memorize which words come with お and which words come with ご.
The set expressions frequently heard when in Japan are easy to remember.

  • お願いします (please)
  • お待たせしました (sorry for keeping you waiting)
  • ご協力をお願いします (we ask for your cooperation)

One important group that you can easily remember is the family vocabulary. When referring to somebody else’s family, you should try to place an お before the noun. This in turn changes the reading of the kanji at the same time:

Your Family Somebody else’s Family
Father 父（ちち） お父（とう）さん
Mother 母（はは） お母（かあ）さん
Older Sister 姉（あね） お姉さん
Older Brother 兄（あに） お兄さん

Although creating a list of all the existing combination of nouns with the prefixes would be quite a challenge, you may find the ones below very common:

  • お菓子（かし）: sweets
  • お水（みず）: water
  • お薬（くすり）: medicine
  • お野菜（やさい）: vegetable
  • お魚（さかな）: fish
  • お卵（たまご）: egg
  • ご飯（はん）: rice, meal
  • お酒（さけ）: alcohol
  • お財布（さいふ）: wallet
  • お帽子（ぼうし）: hat
  • お写真（しゃしん）: picture
  • お車（くるま）: car
  • お手紙（てがみ）: letter
  • お時間（じかん）: time

As you may have noticed, the Japanese honorific prefixes are only attached to native Japanese words or words borrowed from Chinese. As a general rule, katakana words – loan words from other languages, are excluded. However, do not be surprised, if you hear some Japanese saying おビール (beer) or おトイレ (toilet), おタバコ (tobacco).
Also, if you are looking to address someone else, here are some honorific titles such as San, Sama, Kun and Chan you can use!

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Passive language may sound like something you want to avoid since it’s frowned upon in English, but did you know it’s far more common in Japanese? Japanese passive verb, or られる form, is used all the time. As you start to advance your Japanese abilities, passive voice will become very useful for understanding how natives speak and for you to express yourself more naturally in Japanese. 

So, what is the passive form in Japanese, and is it different from English? We will cover everything you need to know about passive language, from what it is, how to use it naturally, and how to easily conjugate verbs so you can start using passive Japanese right away!

What is the Passive Voice in Japanese?

Passive language in Japanese is called 受身系 (ukemikei), and it’s a form of communication that emphasizes how an action is affecting you or somebody rather than focusing on who is doing the action. It is considered an indirect form of communicating. 

The passive form is characterized by verb conjugations. In Japanese, you conjugate the verbs into passive form by replacing the suffix or verb endings with れる(reru) or られる(rareru). 

EnglishEnglish Passive FormJapanese Dictionary FormJapanese Passive Form
To eatEaten食べる (taberu)食べられる (taberareru)

When you conjugate verbs into this form, you are saying the subject was acted upon, not the actions of the subject. For example, by saying 果物はありに食べられた (kudamono wa ari ni taberareta) “the fruit was eaten by ants”, you are emphasizing how the subject was affected. 

The passive voice in Japanese is used for various reasons.  One reason is that both the Japanese language and Japanese culture are very indirect. As a result, the passive voice is more frequently used in Japan than in some other countries.  When speaking keigo, it is often more polite to use the passive, or even potential-form, in many circumstances.

Before you continue, make sure that you have at least learned some basic Japanese verbs. 

Why is Passive Voice So Common in Japanese?

In English, we were taught to speak and write with directness. For instance, rather than saying “forks are used by Americans”, we were taught that saying “Americans use forks” is better. But, even in English, there is still a good reason to use the passive form. 

For example, if you want to emphasize that the food at a party was a crowd pleaser, you might say something like “the food was very popular” and then follow with a passive statement, “it was eaten very quickly”. Passive is clearly the better option to emphasize the subject, which is food, and its popularity since people at the party were eating it all up.  

In Japanese, the passive language is used in the same way, but it’s even more common, so why is that? The passive voice is used for a variety of other purposes, making passive language more frequent in Japanese. 

Culture is one of the biggest factors. In Japan, indirectness is seen as polite and unconfrontational. As a result, the passive voice is more frequently used due to being an indirect form of communication, shifting the focus away from the subject. It also communicates respect and consideration for the listener. This is part of what makes Japanese culture and language so high-context.

In Japanese, the passive voice is also used when the speaker wants to inject the sentence with emotion.  For example, Japanese speakers often use the passive voice in situations where they want to convey a sense that they are a “victim”.  In other words, they use the passive voice to describe when something bad has happened to them. Another use for the passive voice in Japanese is when talking about inanimate objects.  For example, sentences such as “that bridge was built in 1990.”

あの橋は1990年に造られた.
Ano hashi wa 1990 nen ni taterareta.

In these sentences, the speaker is describing something about an inanimate object.  For this, we use passive voice both in English and in Japanese.
Culture is one of the biggest factors. In Japan, indirectness is seen as polite and unconfrontational. As a result, the passive voice is more frequently used due to being an indirect form of communication, shifting the focus away from the subject. It also communicates respect and consideration for the listener. This is part of what makes Japanese culture and language so high-context.

Conjugating Passive Form in Japanese

The way you would conjugate verbs into passive form in Japanese depends on the verb groups. Generally, verbs in Japanese grammar are categorized based on their suffixes, or endings. There are three types of verbs.

If a verb (in dictionary form) ends in う (u), they are called a U-verb. If they end in る(ru), they are Ru-verbs; and verbs that don’t follow the conjugation rules of U-verbs or Ru-verbs are known as irregular verbs. 

We will break down how to conjugate Japanese verbs into passive form based on the following groups: U-verbs, Ru-verbs, and Irregular verbs.

Group 1: U-verb Conjugation

This group has the most variations of the Japanese verb groups.  These are verbs that end in the う sound that aren’t る (with a few exceptions). So, to conjugate, you must change the う to あ followed by れる(reru). For example, here is how to conjugate the verb 引く(hiku), or to pull:

ひく　→ 　ひか　＋　れる　＝　引かれる (hikareru)

We won’t be able to cover all of the verbs, but let’s look at a few to get the feel for how to conjugate these verbs intuitively.

Plain verbPassive formEnglish meaning
買う (kau)買われる (kawareru)“to buy”, passive form
飲む (nomu)飲まれる (nomareru)“to drink”, passive form
行く (iku)行かれる (ikareru)“to go”, passive form
泳ぐ (oyogu)泳がれる (oyogareru)“to swim”, passive form
押す (osu)押される (osareru)“to push”, passive form
帰る (kaeru)帰られる (kaerareru)“to go home”, passive form

Note that 買う(kau) doesn’t conjugate like you would think; rather than conjugating う to あ, you would conjugate う to わ. Let’s break it down:

買う(kau)　≠　買あ(kaa) 

買う(kau)　→　買わ(kawa)　＋　れる(reru)　＝　買われる(kawareru)

Group 2: Ru-verb Conjugations

Ru-verbs are arguably the easiest to conjugate! All you have to do is drop the る and add られる (rareru) at the end to make it passive. Pretty easy, right? So, Ru-verbs consist of any verbs that end in る (ru), which is the only part that changes. The root of the word remains the same, for example, the word 食べる (taberu), the root is 食べ(tabe).
These are verbs like 食たべる (to eat) and 見みる (to see).  Let’s look at the conjugations, and then we can look at some example sentences!
To conjugate 食べる (taberu), you just drop the る and add られる, which changes it into a passive form:

食べる　ー　る　＋　られる　＝　食べらる (eaten)

Here are some group 2 verbs in the chart below.

Plain verbPassive formEnglish meaning
食べる (taberu)食べられる (taberareru)“to eat”, passive form
見る (miru)見られる (mirareru)“to see”, passive form
出る (deru)出られる (derareru)“to go out”, passive form

Group 3: Irregular Verbs

In case you didn’t know, Japanese verb group 3 has only 2 verbs: する (suru), meaning “to do”, and 来る (kuru), meaning “to do”.
There is no particular rule for conjugating these two, so you simply have to memorize the conjugations. Thankfully, 2 is not that many!  Let’s look at how to conjugate these below. 

Plain verbPassive formEnglish meaning
する (suru)される (sareru)“to do”, passive form
来る (kuru)来られる (korareru)“to come”, passive form

Learn About Japanese Verb Conjugations with a Native Tutor!

Japanese verb conjugations can be tricky to master, and learning alone might not always be the easiest path. If you want more structured support, the professional native teachers at Coto Academy are here to help!

We offer online and in-person classes in Tokyo that specifically focus on tackling Japanese grammar, helping you understand and practice verb conjugations effectively.

How is Passive Form Used in Japanese

There are many instances where translating an English active voice sentence directly into Japanese sounds unnatural. That’s because in Japanese, the passive voice is used for a wider range of purposes beyond its English counterpart. Regardless of its function, however, the basic grammar remains the same. Let’s break it down with an example:

りんごはありに食べられた。
Ringo wa ari ni taberareta
The apple was eaten by the ants.

Every sentence using the passive form uses these grammar rules:

SubjectSubject Particle (ha/ga)Action DoerIndicator ParticlePassive Verb
りんごはありに食べられた
Ringowaarinitaberareta
The AppleN/Aantsbywas eaten

Here, the particle は (wa) marks ringo (the apple) as the subject receiving the action, while に (ni) indicates the agent, the one performing the action (the ants). In real conversation, however, either the subject or the doer of the action is often omitted when it’s already understood from context.

For example:

ケーキが(あの人に)食べられました。
Keeki ga (anohito ni) taberaremashita.
That cake was eaten (by that person).

Even though the speaker doesn’t explicitly mention the subject (“he”), it’s clear from context. 

As mentioned, there are many cases when passive language is used. So, let’s go over some of the most common uses in Japanese.

1. Using Passive Form with Inanimate Objects

This is the case where Japanese and English use the passive form most similarly. When talking about inanimate objects, the passive voice is natural because the object cannot perform an action by itself.

あの橋は1990年に造られた

ano hashi wa 1990 nen ni tsukurareta 

That bridge was built in 1990

Here, the focus is on the bridge as the subject, not on who built it. The doer of the action is often unknown or irrelevant, so it’s usually omitted.

2. Using Passive Form to be Polite or Formal

Since indirectness is preferred when speaking in Japanese, the passive form is commonplace in Japanese business etiquette and formal settings. When speaking keigo, it is often more polite to use the passive (or even potential) form in many circumstances to convey respect and avoid being too direct.

For instance:

あなたは間違っています。

Anata wa machigatte imasu.

You made a mistake.

間違いがありました。 

Machigai ga arimashita.

There was a mistake.

Both mean the same thing, but the second phrasing sounds softer and more polite because it removes the “you” from the statement and doesn’t single someone out.

In keigo, the passive form often overlaps with sonkeigo (respectful language). So, it’s common to use in the workplace to show respect, especially to superiors.

For example:

社長がメールを書かれました。
Shachou ga meeru o kakaremashita.
The president wrote an email.

Although koraremashita is grammatically passive, it’s used to elevate the subject’s status, showing respect.

3. Using Passive Form to Emphasize Emotion

Another major difference between English and Japanese is how the passive voice is used emotionally. Japanese speakers often use the passive form to express when something bad or unwanted happened to them, a kind of “victim” nuance.

僕の昼ご飯は兄に食べられちゃった！
Boku no hirugohan wa ani ni taberarechatta!
I had my lunch eaten by my older brother!

Now, the first thing you may notice is that this sentence translation looks strange in English.  However, in Japanese, this is perfectly natural. The speaker uses the passive voice to make it clear that something happened to him or her. 

By contrast, let’s take a look at the same sentence in active form:

兄は僕の昼ご飯を食べた
Ani wa boku no hirugohan o tabeta
My brother ate my lunch.

Sounds better in English, right? But it sounds a bit emotionless and even unnatural in Japanese. This is one reason why active language in English and passive language in Japanese don’t translate well between each other. 

Conclusion

For those coming from an English-speaking background, it may sound like you need to reengineer your brain a bit to start using passive language more frequently and naturally in conversation. But don’t worry. You will get the hang of it, and conjugating verbs into passive form in Japanese is actually simple once you get a feel for it!

Learning when to use passive voice can be challenging if you are doing it alone! So, we recommend taking Japanese classes with trained instructors at Coto Academy. They will help you develop a feel for how to speak Japanese fluently like a native. As Tokyo and Yokohama’s No. 1 Japanese language school, Coto Academy specializes in helping students speak Japanese confidently from day one.

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FAQ

What is the passive form in Japanese?

The passive form in Japanese is called ukemikei (受身形). It is a verb conjugation used when the subject of the sentence receives an action rather than performs it. For example, 犬に噛まれた (inu ni kamareta) or “I was bitten by a dog.”

How is the passive form used to be polite?

Japanese people often use the passive form to make statements softer and more indirect. For example, instead of saying “You made a mistake” directly (あなたが間違えました, or anata ga machigaemashita), it’s more polite to say 間違いがありました, or machigai ga arimashita (“There was a mistake”), removing the focus on the listener.

Can passive and potential forms overlap?

Yes, for some verbs like 見る (miru), the passive and potential forms look identical: 見られる (mirareru) can mean both “can see” (potential) or “was seen” (passive). Context determines which meaning is intended.

Is it okay to use the passive form in casual Japanese?

Yes, it’s common, especially when expressing frustration or mild complaints. In casual speech with friends, it’s less common to use the formal-style passive for politeness.

Starting to learn Japanese and want to study more grammar? You might be interested in:

Congratulations! Whether it’s something you’ve achieved or a win for someone you care about, celebrating life’s big and small moments is a universal experience. Acknowledging these moments verbally is just as important. The most common way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is おめでとう (omedetou). But just like in English, there are many other ways to say “well done,” give kudos for someone’s hard work, and share in their good news.

In this guide, we’ll go over the different ways to say congratulations in Japanese, when you can use them, and introduce other similar expressions that can also be used to commemorate someone’s success or good news.

Meaning of “Omedetou” (おめでとう) in Japanese

As we mentioned, the most common and basic way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is by saying, “おめでとうございます (omedetou gozaimasu).” You may have learned おめでとう (omedetou) before, but what does it actually mean?

The phrase is almost always written in hiragana in modern Japanese and is rarely seen in kanji. However, looking at its original kanji form may help reveal its deeper meaning and how it came to represent the feeling of joy and praise we use today.

Historically, omedetou was written as either お目出度う or お芽出度う. Here is a breakdown of each character: 

  • お (o): an honorific prefix showing respect or politeness
  • 目/芽 (me): means eye or bud, symbolizing something visible or something about to grow
  • 出 (de): means to come out, emerge, or appear
  • 度 (tou): means degree, extent, or occasion

Together, the expression can be interpreted as “it’s a joyous occasion to see something sprouting or coming to life.”

You can probably tell how its rather poetic origin connects with its current usage of celebrating success or growth, such as someone achieving a goal, reaching a milestone, or beginning a new chapter. Over time, this meaning evolved into the modern sense of “congratulations,” which expresses genuine happiness for someone else’s accomplishment.

How to Use Omedetou in Japanese

Intuitively, you could use omedetou in the same way you would use “congratulations” in English. You can use it whenever you want to praise someone for their recent achievements or positive events, for instance: getting married, giving birth, starting a business, or getting a medical license. 

However, omedetou is arguably more flexible than “congratulations” since you can also use it for celebratory occasions such as birthdays or New Year’s. It turns out that there are a variety of uses for omedetou, and its usage might slightly change depending on the situation. 

Keep in mind that おめでとう (omedetou) is the more casual form. To make it more formal, you add ございます (gozaimasu) after it. This follows the same principle as saying thank you in Japanese: ありがとう (arigatou) is casual, while ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) is more polite.

10 Ways to Say Congratulations in Japanese

ways to say congratulations in japanese infographic

So, what are all the possible ways you can say congratulations in Japanese? Are there alternatives that are better for certain situations?

1. おめでとう: Omedetou

Omedetou, as mentioned, means “congratulations” or “congrats!” It is common in a more casual context, like with friends and family. The expression is widely applicable to a variety of situations, from celebrating a friend’s success to wishing a happy birthday or holiday. For example, when your friend passes the highly challenging JLPT N2 exam, you can congratulate them by saying: 

日本語能力試験N2合格おめでとう！

Nihongo nouryoku shiken N2 goukaku omedetou!

Congrats on passing the JLPT N2!

You can attach almost any milestone or accomplishment to it, like 結婚おめでとう (kekkon omedetou) for marriage, 合格おめでとう (goukaku omedetou) for passing an exam, or 卒業おめでとう (sotsugyou omedetou) for graduation.

2. おめでとうございます Omedetou Gozaimasu

By adding ございます(gozaimasu) to おめでとう(omedetou), you are making the phrase more formal. Omedetou gozaimasu is commonly used in a work or formal setting where you’re speaking to your boss, colleagues, or clients. For example, if your colleague recently got married, you could congratulate them with this expression. 

ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Gokekkon omedetougozaimasu
Congratulations on your wedding

Read More: Guide to Japanese Weddings and How to Congratulate Newlyweds

3. めでたしめでたし:  Medetashi Medetashi

This is a rather traditional expression that’s not used too often today, but can be a fun and sincere way to express your happiness for someone or to congratulate them. The phrase means something like “all is well that ends well” or “happily ever after”. It has a rather poetic tone to it, like something from a folktale. 

Medetashi medetashi has a lyrical ring and jubilant tone, so if you do say it, people will appreciate your joyous nature and knowledge of traditional Japanese expressions. While it’s no longer used very often, you can use this phrase to sincerely congratulate someone on just about any occasion. It can also be used humorously to express congratulations for a pleasant end to something

試験も終わって試験も終わったし、結果も良かったし。めでたしめでたし！
Shiken mo owatte shi、kekka mo yokatta shi. Medetashi medetashi!
The exams are over and the results were good. All is well that ends well!

4. 良かった: Yokatta

“Yokatta” stems from the root adjective 良い (yoi or ii), which means “good” or “well.” 良かった (yokatta) is a familiar expression often used casually to show that you’re glad something went well. Its literal translation is “was good,” but in conversation it often conveys a warmer meaning such as “that’s good to hear” or “I’m happy to hear that.” It’s a friendly, heartfelt expression that’s great to use with close friends.

仕事が決まったんだって？よかったね！
Shigoto ga kimattan datte? Yokatta ne!
You got the job? That’s awesome!

Did you know you can say yokatta for “you’re welcome in Japanese”. Read our blog for 11 ways to say you’re welcome in Japanese. 

5. やったね: Yatta ne

Yatta ne is the warm and spontaneous “you did it!” or “well done”, that you blurt out when you’re proud of someone. Compared to omodetou, which is polite and celebratory, “yatta ne” is more casual, warm, and meant to highlight someone’s accomplishments. So, you would say it after someone achieved something like graduation rather than at weddings or birthdays.

The word やった (yatta) is the past tense of the verb やる (yaru), meaning “to do” or “to accomplish.” When said with excitement, it expresses joy, relief, or triumph, similar to shouting “Yes!” or “Woohoo!” in English. Adding ね (ne) at the end softens it slightly, making it sound friendly and affirming, like “You did it!” or “That’s great, huh!”

テストに合格したの？やったね！
Tesuto ni goukaku shita no? Yatta ne!
You passed the test? That’s awesome!

6. お祝い申し上げます: Oiwa Moushi Agemasu

This is a very formal way of saying congratulations since it uses keigo, or the formal Japanese language. This expression is often reserved for writing in formal letters or emails to someone you want to congratulate. The character 祝 (shuku) or お祝い (oiwai) means celebration or congratulations, and 申し上げます (moushi agemasu) is the keigo conjugation for “to give” or “to offer”.

So, the phrase means “I offer my congratulations”. This expression is common in business writing or formal emails when you want to congratulate a client or even a colleague. 

ご入学にあたり、お祝いの言葉を申し上げます
Gonyuugaku ni atari, oiwai no kotoba o moushiagemasu.
To your enrollment celebration, I offer my congratulations.

7. お幸せに: Oshiawase Ni

The expression closely translates to “wishing you happiness”, more literally “to your happiness”, with the term 幸せ (shiawase) meaning “happiness” and に (ni) meaning “to”. You often say it for weddings or engagements to wish the bride/groom a life of happiness. 

いつまでもお幸せに！
Itsu made mo oshiawase ni!
Wishing you happiness forever!

8. 素晴らしい Subarashii

素晴らしい (subarashii) means “wonderful” or “amazing” and can be used as a congratulatory remark to someone’s incredible achievements. You can use subrashii to express your genuine admiration, delight, or praise for someone who just accomplished something grand or difficult. You can say “subarashii” alone as a heartfelt “congratulations” in response to someone’s success or good news.

すばらしいニュースですね！
Subarashii nyuusu desu ne!
That’s wonderful news!

9. すごい: Sugoi

Sugoi is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, as you can use it to express surprise, excitement, delight, disgust, and, of course, admiration for someone’s achievements. It’s somewhat similar to saying “wow” which can also be used in a wide variety of contexts. So in the context of using “sugoi” to praise someone, it would be similar to saying “that’s amazing” or “that’s awesome”. The expression is warm and casual, giving a feeling of closeness. 

昇進おめでとう！ すごいじゃん！
Shoushin omedetou! Sugoi jan!
“Congrats on the promotion! That’s awesome!”

10. お疲れ様でした: Otsukaresama Deshita

Otsukare sama desu or otsukaresama deshita (past tense) is a staple phrase in the Japanese workplace. Generally, it is used to express your appreciation for your colleague’s hard work and as a way of maintaining good Japanese business manners. However, otsukare sama is actually quite flexible and can even be used to congratulate someone. 

For instance, if you want to congratulate a colleague for their success on a project, you can say otsukaresamadeshita to express your admiration of their hard work. 

発表お疲れ様でした！
Happyou otsukaresama deshita!
Great job on your presentation!

Different Situations for Using Omedetou

There are many ways to say “congratulations” in Japanese, but the phrase omedetou is quite flexible and can be used in a variety of situations. Below are a few common occasions when you can say “omedetou!”

SituationJapanese PhraseRomajiEnglish
Birthdayお誕生日おめでとうOtanjoubi omedetouHappy birthday!
New Year明けましておめでとうAkemashite omedetouHappy New Year!
Weddingご結婚おめでとうございます Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasuCongratulations on your wedding!
Graduationご卒業おめでとうございます Gosotsugyou omedetou gozaimasuCongrats on your graduation!
New Job就職おめでとうShuushoku omedetouCongrats for getting a new job!
Passing exam合格おめでとうGoukaku omedetouCongrats on passing!
New Babyご出産おめでとうございます Goshussan omedetou gozaimasuCongrats on your new baby!

Omedetou for Getting to the End! What to Keep in Mind

おめでとう (omedetou) is one of the most versatile and useful expressions for saying “congratulations” or simply expressing joy for good news in Japanese. However, it’s not the only way to celebrate someone’s success or milestone. Japanese has a rich variety of expressions you can use depending on your relationship with the person and the level of formality you want to convey.

To truly understand when and how to use omedetou and other natural Japanese phrases in real-life conversations, we recommend taking lessons with experienced Japanese teachers who can help you sound confident and natural in everyday situations.

Why not join fun, conversation-focused lessons at Coto Academy? As Tokyo and Yokohama’s No. 1 Japanese language school, Coto Academy specializes in helping students speak Japanese confidently from day one.

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FAQ

Can I say おめでとう (omedetou) to my boss or teacher?

You should avoid saying just omedetou to people above you in rank or age. Instead, use the more polite form おめでとうございます (omedetou gozaimasu) to show respect.

What’s the difference between おめでとう (omedetou) and お祝い (oiwai)?

Omedetou is what you say directly to someone, like “Congratulations!” Oiwai (お祝い) is a noun meaning “celebration” or “congratulatory gift,” which is usually expressed in writing and is considered very formal.  

Can I use おめでとう (omedetou) casually with friends?

Yes! With close friends or family, you can drop the polite ending and simply say おめでとう(omedetou), or even add emphasis like やったね (yatta ne) or すごいね (sugoi ne)

What should I write on a wedding card in Japanese?

For formal occasions, you should add ございます (gozaimasu) to the phrase. For instance, ご結婚おめでとうございます (gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu), which means “Congratulations on your marriage.”

What’s the meaning of めでたしめでたし (medetashi medetashi)?

It literally means “and they lived happily ever after”, the kind of phrase used to end a story with a positive outcome. You can use it humorously or lightheartedly to wrap up a happy situation, like after solving a problem or completing a big task.

Saying “goodbye” can be difficult no matter where you’re from. In Japanese, the word sayonara often carries the weight of a long farewell, hinting that you might not see the person for a long time. But don’t worry: Japanese language has plenty of other ways to say farewell that are lighter, more casual, and full of hope for seeing each other again soon.

So how do Japanese people usually say “bye”? And are some expressions better suited for certain situations? You’re in the right place! In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about saying goodbye to friends, family, and even colleagues in Japan.

Casual vs Formal Ways of Saying “Goodbye” in Japanese

infographic on how to say goodbye in japanese

Before we dive into our list, we need to preface that the Japanese language is very strictly organized between formal and casual terms. We won’t go super deep into keigo this time, but there are words on this list that will use the formal Japanese that you might want to use with people such as your boss or colleagues. 

Formally, saying “goodbye” in Japanese is often just a common keigo expression, many of which you might already be familiar with. In these expressions, you are using a humble form of language where you are politely asking the listener to meet you again. So, in these cases, do you say goodbye with a wave or a bow?

Body Language When Saying “Goodbye” in Japanese

In Formal Situations

When saying farewell to your boss or clients, it is customary to say “goodbye” accompanied by a light bow. You don’t need to do a full 90° angle; doing so will make you look a bit out of place. But there are certain companies that like to show utmost respect when saying farewell to their customers, so they might bow a full 90°. 

For the most part, a bow that is no more than 45° is sufficient. For a more detailed breakdown of Japanese manners, read our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Business Manners & Etiquette.

In Casual Situations

In most casual situations, like saying goodbye in Japanese to a friend, you don’t really need to bow. It is very common just to wave when saying “goodbye”. But in work, or on a sports team, sometimes you say “otsukaresama” as a way of saying goodbye. In this case, you can just do a light bow (just a little bow of your head). Overall, just a light wave is the most common way of saying “goodbye” to friends, or even colleagues you’re closer to.

15 Ways to Say Goodbye in Japanese

Now, let’s dive into the ultimate list of ways to say goodbye in Japanese. We’ll organize them into general categories, covering both formal and casual or neutral expressions.

Formal Ways of Saying Goodbye

Japanese can be a very formal language, offering a variety of expressions for “goodbye” that are suited to different contexts and situations, especially in more formal settings.

1. さようなら: Sayounara

Likely the most popular expression when you are parting ways with someone, sayonara — or, more correctly, sayounara (さようなら）is the most literal definition of goodbye. It’s ubiquitous in phrasebooks and textbooks, but as you might have noticed living in Japan, the Japanese people don’t use sayonara in everyday conversation that much.

 While it once was an everyday word for saying “bye,” its meaning changed over time to carry a heavier connotation, like you won’t be seeing the listener for a long time, maybe even forever.  So, for that reason, it is not too common in everyday Japanese anymore. It is considered a little formal and a bit too heavy to use with friends and family. Even with colleagues, it is not too typical, instead you could opt to say the others on this list instead.

In fact, it carries so much sentiment that in Japanese movies, you’ll usually hear sayonara only when someone is saying goodbye to a loved one who has passed away or to someone they may never see again.
さよなら、みんな。また会えるといいね。

Sayonara, minna. Mata aeru to ii ne.
Goodbye, everyone. I hope we can meet again.

2. お先に失礼します: Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu

先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) is a polite Japanese expression often used as a farewell in work or group settings when you are leaving before others. While it is literally saying, “Excuse me for leaving ahead of you,” it functions as a kind of goodbye to those who are staying behind.

You can say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu), by itself, which literally translates to “I’ll be rude (by leaving).” 

However, it is quite common to say add 先に (saki ni), which means “I’ll be rude by leaving first”. This is a formal expression that acknowledges your consideration of others by addressing that they are still in the office when you are leaving.

To make it even more formal, you can say:

お先に失礼いたします。
Osaki ni shitsurei itashimasu.

Adding お (o) to 先に makes it more polite, showing respect to the listener. いたします is the humble, keigo version of します,.

4. お疲れ様でした: Otsukaresama deshita

お疲れさまでした is a staple of Japanese workplace culture. You usually say this when ending the day or after a task, meaning “Thank you for your hard work.” You can even say this when passing other colleagues in the hallway, which in this case you should say the present tense: お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu). 

But when ending the day, it is considered good manners to say お疲れ様でした to your colleagues. While this expression can be formal, you can say in a more casual manner by saying, お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) instead. 

5. よろしくお願いします: Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu

You probably first learnt よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) as an expression you say when you meet someone for the first time. But it’s actually a way of saying “goodbye” in a formal capacity as well. When saying it in person, you can accompany it with other words like tomorrow or again. Here are some common expressions:

またよろしくお願いします
Mata yoroshiku onegaishimasu
(See you next time!)

明日よろしくお願いします
Ashita yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(See you tomorrow)

来週よろしくお願いします
Raishuu yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(See you next week!)

You can say this expression on any day, month, or even year, based on the circumstance. It is common to say 来年も宜しくお願いします(rainen mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) to your boss or colleagues. It is both used as a “thank you” and a “farewell”, before departing on the longer winter holiday and meeting again after the new year begins. 

The expression よろしくお願いします is also very common for use at the end of emails. It is similar to how we end emails in English when we write, “sincerely” or “best regards”.  

6. ありがとうございました: Arigatou Gozaimashita

You can also say ありがとうございました or “thank you very much” as a way of saying goodbye, especially in a more formal setting. Often, when speaking to service staff, when leaving their presence, it’s customary to just say ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) or ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita). Usually,  the reverse is the same; the service staff usually say a warm “thank you” as a way of saying “goodbye”. 

You can also say 今日はありがとうございました (kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita) to say “thank you for today”. You can say this expression to someone who spent the day working with you, especially if it’s a colleague who helped you a lot that day. You can also add お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita).

7. お邪魔しました: Ojama Shimashita

Ojama shimasu is a common Japanese phrase used when entering someone’s home or office, especially in a formal or polite context. The word 邪魔 (jama) literally means “disturbance” or “hindrance,” so saying ojama shimasu is like politely saying, “Pardon my intrusion” or “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

When you turn it into the past tense, お邪魔しました (ojama shimashita), it’s used when leaving someone’s home or office after a visit. It conveys the sentiment, “Thank you for having me, and sorry for disturbing you,” similar to saying “I’ve troubled you, goodbye” in English. This phrase shows respect and gratitude and is very common in Japanese etiquette.

 会議、お疲れ様でした。
Kaigo, otsukare sama deshita.
Thank you for the meeting.

お邪魔しました。失礼します。
Ojama shimashita. Shitsurei shimasu.
Thank you for your time. Excuse me for leaving.

8. お気をつけてお帰りください: Okiotsukete Okaeri Kudasai

Okiotsukete okaeri kudasai is a formal and polite way to say “Have a safe trip home.” It’s commonly used in situations where you want to show care and respect, such as in the hospitality industry or when seeing off guests from your home.

The phrase combines お気をつけて (okiotsukete), meaning “take care” or “be careful,” with お帰りください (okaeri kudasai), meaning “please return home.” 

For example, when a guest was leaving a hotel, the staff might say, “お気をつけてお帰りください,” which translates to “Please have a safe trip back home.” 

9. また電話します: Mata Denwa Shimasu

Although it doesn’t technically mean “goodbye,” the phrase また電話します (mata denwa shimasu) translates to “I will call again.” It is commonly used as a closing remark, similar to saying “We’ll be in touch,” and is appropriate in professional settings, such as after a meeting when you plan to follow up.

You can also replace the word 電話 (denwa) with other forms of communication, depending on the context.

Japanese PhraseReadingEnglish Meaning
また電話しますmata denwa shimasuI will call again
またメッセージしますmata messeji shimasuI will send a message
またメールしますmata meeru shimasuI will send an email
また連絡しますmata renraku shimasuI will get in touch / contact you

10. ごきげんよう: Gokingenyou

One phrase that often stands out is “ごきげんよう” (gokigenyou). Unlike the casual “さようなら” or “じゃね,” this expression carries a sense of elegance and refinement. Literally, it means something along the lines of “be well” or “may you be in good spirits.” There is a sense of grace when you say it, and you might hear it in classic Japanese dramas. In real life, however, using it can sound unnecessarily ceremonious. Think of it as a very old-fashioned way of saying goodbye in Japanese.

Neutral & Casual Expression for “Goodbye” in Japanese

The next expressions on this list can be used for both neutral and casual situations. For acquaintances or people you are close to, 

11. バイバイ (Baibai)

ばいばい (baibai) is a loanword borrowed from English “bye-bye.” It’s cheerful, casual, and commonly used among children, young adults, and close friends. You’ll often hear young people using it frequently, especially girls, as it tends to sound cute and somewhat feminine when pronounced in a playful way.

It’s not typically used in formal situations or with people you don’t know well, but it’s perfect for lighthearted farewells with friends or family.

じゃあね、バイバイ！
Jaa ne, baibai!”
See you, bye-bye!

12. じゃあね:Jaa Ne

“Ja# or “Jaa ne” is a casual and friendly way to say “See you” in Japanese. It’s commonly used with people you’re close to and on a similar social level, like friends, family, or coworkers, for example. However, it’s considered a bit too informal for older people, bosses, or teachers, so it’s best to use more polite alternatives in those situations.

13. またね: Mata Ne

Closely translates to “See you again.” This expression is simple, natural, and widely used among friends and people you know. There are several ways you can say mata ne, especially with different time frames. The following are just a few examples:

また明日
Mata ashita
See you tomorrow.

また来週
Mata raishuu
“See you next week.

また後で
Mata ato de
See you later.

14. 行ってきます: Ittekimasu 

行ってきます is what you say when you are leaving a place, typically your house. This word is revised from two verbs: 行く (iku), which means “to go,” and 来る (kuru), which means “to come”. 

The person departing says 行ってきます (ittekimasu), meaning “I’ll go and come back”, while the one staying replies 行ってらっしゃい (itterasshai), or “Please go and come back”. It’s a rather short goodbye since both parties understand they will be seeing each other soon. It is most often used at home, but you can use it at the office as well to let colleagues know you are just heading out of the office momentarily.  

15. 行ってらっしゃい: Itterasshai

What about the opposite? If someone says 行ってきます (ittekimasu) to you, or if you know someone is about to leave, you should say いってらっしゃい (itterasshai).

Itterasshai is a warm, friendly way to say “Take care” or “See you later” when someone is leaving the house or going out, and you expect them to come back. It’s often used between family members or close friends. The literal sense is more like “Go and come back safely.”

16. おやすみなさい: Oyasumi Nasai

Meaning “good night” in Japanese, you can also say this expression in both casual and semi-formal occasions as a way of saying farewell. As the meaning implies, you say this expression at night, such as after drinks or when you’re traveling with people. You can say おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai) to say both goodnight and goodbye. 

More casually, the expression is just おやすみ (oyasumi), which you can use with family and friends.

17. お気をつけて: Ki o Tsukete

お気をつけて (ki o tsukete) means “be careful.” You often say 気をつけて (ki o tsukete) when someone is leaving to go home or on a trip, similar to “Take care.”

As a farewell, it’s a warm and caring way to say goodbye, showing concern for the person’s safety. It’s more personal than a neutral “goodbye” because it conveys that you hope the person stays safe until you see them again. It’s commonly used between friends, family members, or colleagues in casual or polite settings.

これから出張に行ってきます。

Kore kara shucchou ni ittekimasu.

I’m heading off on a business trip now.

お気をつけて！

Ki o tsukete!

Safe travels!

18. 元気で: Genki De

Genki de literally means “be well” or “stay healthy.” It’s a casual and friendly way to say goodbye, often used with friends or family. When you say genki de, you’re expressing that you hope the person stays happy, healthy, and in good spirits until you see them again.

It’s informal and warm, so it’s not typically used in formal situations, but it’s perfect for a heartfelt farewell among people you care about.

明日から旅行だね、楽しんでね！
Ashita kara ryokou da ne, tanoshinde ne!
Your trip starts tomorrow, have fun!

ありがとう！じゃあ、元気でね！

Arigatou! Jaa, genki de ne!
Thanks! Alright, take care! / Stay well!

19. お大事に: Odaiji Ni

Usually, you say this when someone is sick or injured. It means “Take care of yourself” or “Get well soon.” So when someone is leaving due to not feeling well, you can say お大事に (odaiji ni) both as a way of saying “bye” and for wishing their recovery.

20. また今度: Mata kondo

また今度 (mata kondo) literally means “again next time,” but it makes more sense contextually. It’s a casual, friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to meet the person again, like saying, “Let’s see each other another time.” Of course, 今度 (kondo), which means next time, doesn’t set a specific date. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, or even never! It is just a warm, open-ended farewell that keeps the door open for the next meeting.

See You Soon! Final Remarks on Saying “Goodbye” in Japanese

Even something as simple as goodbye in Japanese has a variety of expressions that are suited for different situations and contexts, reflecting the culture of respecting formality in Japan. There is no one-size-fits-all all and knowing when to say the right “bye” is essential for when you want to communicate warmth to those you are close to or be polite to those you need to respect. 

Try drilling and practicing some of these expressions from this list so you can understand when to use each in the right context. Practice these expressions by enrolling in courses at Coto Academy, where our teachers can guide you on how to sound natural and fluent in Japanese. We offer fun, flexible part-time Japanese lessons and intensive courses that help you speak Japanese confidently in 4 weeks! Sign up with the form below:

FAQ

What should I say at night instead of “goodbye”?

Use おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai), which means “good night.” It works both as a farewell and a bedtime expression.

Do Japanese people really say sayonara (さようなら)?

Yes, but not often in daily life. Sayonara feels formal and sometimes final, so Japanese people usually use other phrases like otsukaresama desu or mata ne.

What’s the most common way to say goodbye at work?

The standard phrase is お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu), which thanks colleagues for their hard work. If leaving early, you might say お先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu).

How do you say goodbye to friends in Japanese?

Casual phrases include じゃあね (jā ne), またね (mata ne), and バイバイ (baibai). These are friendly and natural among peers.

How do you say “take care” in Japanese?

You can say お気をつけて (o ki o tsukete) when someone is leaving, or 元気で (genki de) if you won’t see them for a long time.

How do you say goodbye if someone is sick?

Use お大事に (odaiji ni), which means “take care of yourself” or “get well soon.

Many of us grew up playing Japanese video games, some of the most popular including Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon, but did you ever consider using them to learn Japanese? Generally, people think of anime for learning Japanese, but video games might have some of the same benefits, if not more! 

Video games can immerse you in authentic Japanese conversation, provide intriguing stories, and even help you improve your reading, listening, and comprehension skills. Whether you’re fighting legendary enemies, solving tough riddles, or exploring breathtaking worlds, games make learning feel effortless and enjoyable.

Why Learn Japanese with Video Games?

While there are video games designed for studying Japanese, conventional video games meant for entertainment can be an amazing tool to learn the language. Video games that are very story-driven can provide exposure to not only dialogue, but also reading comprehension and contextual listening practice as well. Also, since you have to participate (not watch passively), understanding dialogue or text is necessary to complete the game. 

Video games may prove to be a safe environment to pressure-test and expand your Japanese. You might be thrown into situations reflecting real life (without the real-life consequences) where you have to comprehend directions or important dialogue using context, all on a moment’s notice. This makes video games a great method for natural language acquisition. However, as you may know, there are a variety of video games, and some may be better for picking up language than others. 

Pros and Cons of Learning Japanese with Video Games

There are pros and cons to learning Japanese video games; some are great for learning Japanese, while others may be a great excuse to play video games under the guise of actual practice.

Pros to Learning Japanese with Video Games:

1. Great for natural language acquisition

Words and dialogue are paired with visuals (oftentimes visual demonstrations) as well as a task you must complete. So, you’ll be exposed to an environment that introduces new terminology and requires a response or action from the gamer. 

2. Immersive Japanese Practice

Video games serve as excellent Japanese practice through immersion. Similar to anime, since you are constantly listening to or reading tons of Japanese, you will gain a ton of practice while having fun!

3. Learning by context

Learning a language by paying close attention to visual and contextual clues is a great way to pick up more of it. Figuring out the meaning of certain words or expressions by trying to understand the context surrounding them is a great way to naturally learn a language and have it stick.

4. Fun and Motivating

Making language learning fun and enjoyable can help remove the stress and chore of studying while also being more motivating. Doing something you like in another language is an effective way to learn since it somewhat resembles how you learnt your native tongue as a kid. You just learnt naturally while doing different activities.

Cons to Learning Japanese with Video Games

1. Many Video Games have Little to No Dialogue

There are a lot of video games out there, and many don’t require any language at all. So, you’ll need to be particular about which genre you choose since some inherently have no language at all. For instance, games like Street Fighter, Tetris, or online shooters probably don’t require any language in order to play the game beyond getting past the menu.

2. Many of your Favorite Titles might be too hard for Beginners

While you might want to try playing video games to learn Japanese, many of your favorite titles, such as Ace Attorney, might be too difficult for beginners or even intermediate learners. It might end up making the game more frustrating rather than fun to learn. So, for this reason, we made the list below based on skill level.

3. Varying Degrees of Listening Material

Japanese video games might have more reading practice than listening, especially JRPGs (Japanese Role Playing Games). Often, they might have you read more text while providing very little audio dialogue. These games are great for reading practice, but not always for listening. Of course, it does depend on the game, and many modern titles have more audio dialogue.

Learning Japanese with Video Games for Beginners

With all that out of the way, let’s get into our top picks for video games that are best for learning Japanese. We chose titles separated by skill level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and genres that would have the most dialogue or language practice possible. 

All the games on the list are available either on Steam, app stores, or one of the latest consoles (Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series S/Series X)

1. Final Fantasy Series I – VIII (Classic)

Final Fantasy game set 1 through 6. Games that are good for learning Japanese
Final Fantasy I – VI, Square Enix

Genre: RPG, Strategy

The classic Final Fantasy series may prove to be excellent reading practice for beginners, with tons of rather simple, shorter dialogue constant throughout the game. These are turn-based RPGs where you usually plan out strategies similar to chess. You can play the game and even read the dialogue bubbles at your own pace. You can take as long as you want to read the dialogue and plan your next move. 

Note that Final Fantasy I – VI have not been adapted to the latest consoles, but are all available on Steam.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

The turn-based strategy may make these games sound more like chess rather than a video game, but Final Fantasy (especially VIII) has captivating stories, well-written characters, and amazing world-building packed with interesting themes. Plus, you’ll be completely drawn into building your characters, and the sense of accomplishment keeps you hooked.

2. Super Mario Party Jamboree

Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Party Jamboree, Nintendo

Genre: Party, Platform, Puzzle

Super Mario Party may not be the first game that comes to mind when looking for a video game to practice Japanese. However, there are tons of directions the game throws at you. Since the games consist of different mini-games, items, and different board rules, you’ll need to read and understand different descriptions in Japanese. The game always has furigana.

3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing or Doubutsu no Mori for the Nintendo Switch, a video game that can be good Japanese practice for beginners
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo

Genre: Life simulation, Social Simulation 

A charming and delightful game where you develop and design your home, garden, and even town. You can design gardens, homes, and more. You can even develop your little town into a metropolis and get into the stock market (pun intended), where you can invest in turnips whose prices rise and fall similar to company stocks. You can find creative ways to build your island and design everything the way you like it. No two islands are the same.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

Everyday conversational Japanese, simple menus, and plenty of repetition. Text is written in hiragana and kanji (often with furigana), making it very accessible for beginners.

4. Pokémon (All games)

Pokemon Legends Z- A for Nintendo Switch
Pokemin Z-A, Nintendo

Pokémon is a beloved series by fans all over the world and is probably one of the biggest franchises in gaming history. You probably already know this game, but in case you don’t, this game is based around catching Pokémon (short for pocket monster), upgrading and using them to fight other Pokémon. There is a whole strategy and system where different Pokémon types are stronger than others, have specific abilities, or benefit from certain environments.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners: 

This game makes for great reading practice, especially for katakana. Almost every Pokémon’s name is written in katakana, so as you keep collecting them, you’ll develop your katakana reading abilities. There are also texts with simple Japanese conversation, featuring clear and repetitive vocabulary, making the series great for beginners.  

5. Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch, a game that can be great Japanese practice for casual dialogue and katakana reading.
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo

The latest Legend of Zelda, along with its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, are both masterpieces in open-world gameplay, combining puzzles, adventures, and action. The game lets players explore the detailed world and find their own solutions to problems or obstacles. There is no linear way to do anything, and the game wants to encourage your own creativity. 

Why it’s great for Japanese learners :

The game has a decent mix of polite and casual dialogue, quest-based instructions, and item vocabulary. Additionally, the open-world gameplay reinforces words through context.

Learning Japanese with Video Games for Intermediate

6. Ni no Kuni (1 and 2)

Ni no Kuni for Playstation 4
Ni no Kuni II, Bandai Namco

Genre: RPG, Puzzle

If you’re a fan of Ghibli and video games, these games are right up your alley since the creators worked directly with Studio Ghibli for the game’s animation. In the game, you follow a young boy named Oliver in his adventures to save his mother in another world. You really feel like you are in the world of Ghibli as you traverse the world alongside some incredible characters. The amazing soundtrack is by the same composer as many of Ghibli’s greatest hits, which, combined with its charming story, this game hits you in the right spots at the right moments and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster.

As combat is relatively simple, the game still comes with a tutorial system to guide new players who may be unfamiliar with the game itself. 

Why it’s Great for Japanese learners:

The games consist of clear spoken Japanese, along with Japanese subtitles, giving you the best of both. The language is not too complicated, but would require some familiarity with conversational spoken Japanese. This is a great bridge into intermediate.

7. KUUKIYOMI: Consider It

Kuuki yomi for the switch. A video game great for learning Japanese social etiquette and Japanese language.
Kuuki Yomi, G-Mode

Genre: Puzzle, Indie, Simulation

Kuukiyomi is one of the Japanese phrases that are difficult to translate, but its closest equivalent is “reading the air” or “reading the room”. This game tests your awareness and consideration of others (a common Japanese sentiment). The scenarios are based on common situations in Japan. However, they are usually presented with a touch of absurdity, making the game light-hearted and humorous. 

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

The situations can range from letting an elderly person sit on the train to pretending to sleep when Santa is around. This game is an incredibly fun (and funny) way to both learn Japanese and Japanese cultural etiquette, where you win with your killer manners. As they say: 一石二鳥 (isseki nichou) — two birds with one stone!

The Japanese text doesn’t usually have any furigana, so it might be a bit difficult for beginners. Also, the directions and game results consist of longer text with a decent dose of kanji. But it is a fun game for everybody, no matter your level!

8. Ghost of Tsushima & Ghost of Yotei

Ghost of Yotei is a beautiful game taking place in Feudal Japan. The game can be played in Japanese with subtitles, great for practice.
Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch Productions/Sony

Genre: Action-Adventure, Historical, Open World

Set in feudal Japan during the Mongol invasion, Ghost of Tsushima (and soon to released Ghost of Yotei) offers breathtaking scenery, cinematic battles mirroring jidaigeki (samurai films), and dialogue inspired by samurai-era Japanese. The game can be played fully in Japanese audio with subtitles, making it feel like a cinematic samurai drama.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

It’s excellent for intermediate and advanced learners interested in historical and formal Japanese speech. The subtitles allow you to learn Japanese, similar to how you would with anime, except that since you’re participating in the story, the new vocabulary might stick even more. You’ll also hear honorific and warrior-related vocabulary, which offers a deeper cultural perspective. There are also repetitive phrases said throughout the game. 

10. Persona 5

Persona 5 for Playstation 5, great for practicing your listening comprehension for everyday conversational Japanese
Persona 5 The Royal, Atlus/Sega

Genre: RPG, Social Simulator

Persona 5 blends dungeon crawling with Japanese high school life, meaning you’ll experience both fantasy combat dialogue and everyday school conversations. The game’s setting in Tokyo also gives insight into modern Japanese youth culture, slang, and casual expressions.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners :

Persona uses kanji with furigana, which is perfect for learners building reading confidence. The dialogue is conversational and often mirrors how teenagers actually speak. Upper-intermediate learners will especially benefit, as the game introduces lots of casual phrasing and slang in addition to standard Japanese.

Learning Japanese with Video Games for Advanced

9. Resident Evil: Biohazard Series

Resident Evil 4 remake for Playstation 4
Resident Evil 4, Capcom

Genre: Survival Horror, Action

This globally popular series immerses you in tense, dramatic scenarios filled with survival dialogue, notes, and mission instructions. The series is perfect for horror and mystery enthusiasts with its complex puzzles, constant fear of something chasing you, and captivating stories filled with action. The Japanese version often uses military-style or urgent commands, giving exposure to more serious and action-oriented vocabulary.

Why it’s great for the Japanese:

Resident Evil provides practice with reading in high-stakes contexts (notes, reports, instructions). While some vocabulary is specialized, the game helps learners get used to fast-paced spoken Japanese in action scenes. Best suited for intermediate and advanced learners.

10. Yakuza: Ryuu ga Gotoku Series (龍が如く)

Yakuza: Ryuu ga Gotoku, a game full of realistic Japanese conversation
Yakuza: Ryuu ga Gotoku Ishin Kiwami, Sega

Genre: Action-Adventure, Crime Drama

Set in Japan’s nightlife districts, Yakuza combines dramatic storytelling with quirky side missions. You’ll encounter realistic conversations ranging from polite shop dialogue to tough street slang, karaoke banter, and even business negotiations.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

Advanced learners will thrive here, as the game uses a wide spectrum of speech styles from keigo to rough Kansai slang. It’s one of the most authentic representations of conversational Japanese you’ll find in gaming.

11. Ace Attorney Series

Ace Attorney Series: Apollo Justice is one of the best games for learning Japanese due to its rich dialogue and gameplay analyzing the dialogue
Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice Trilogy, Capcom

Genre: Virtual Novel, Puzzle Game

The Ace Attorney series consists of incredible games filled with rich dialogue and fun stories revolving around fascinating criminal cases that are taken to court. In the originals, you play as Phoenix Wright, a defence attorney, whose dedication to justice and finding the truth allows him to defend his innocent clients. You must cross-examine witness testimonies, look for contradictions, and present the correct evidence to win the case. When you find something wrong, make sure to raise an “Objection!”.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

Ace Attorney is packed with legal banter as well as conversational Japanese, since you have to speak to different witnesses both in and out of the court. This series would make for great reading and listening comprehension practice for advanced learners since you have to analyze different arguments and find contradictions. 

12. Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate, an intriguing visual novel blending science fiction and slice of life.
Steins;Gate Elite&Divergencies Assort, MAGES.

Genre: Visual Novel, Sci-Fi, Mystery

Steins;Gate is one of the most iconic Japanese visual novels, blending science fiction with thriller and slice-of-life elements. You follow a group of eccentric university students and self-proclaimed “mad scientists” who stumble upon a way to send messages to the past, triggering intense consequences. The story is text-heavy, with hours of dialogue, narration, and inner thoughts all fully voice-acted in Japanese.

Why it’s great for Japanese learners:

Because Steins; Gate is dialogue-driven, you’ll encounter natural, everyday Japanese as well as more technical vocabulary tied to science and time travel. The characters each have distinct speaking styles — from casual slang to more formal or quirky speech patterns — which helps you pick up on tone and nuance. The text often mixes kanji with furigana, making it easier to follow even for learners who aren’t advanced readers yet.

Learning Japanese with Video Games vs Anime

Anime, being a form of media that you watch, is very dialogue-heavy. It is an excellent listening practice and exposure to realistic Japanese conversation. 

By contrast, video games are not always dialogue-driven. Games don’t always require reading, listening, or understanding any language. Fighting games or puzzle games like Candy Crush generally require little to no Japanese to play. However, when video games do require language to understand, they can provide all the same benefits as anime, but with the added benefit of actually having you participate. 

There are more incentives to listen more closely and use context clues to figure out the meaning of directions or dialogue, since that could prevent you from making progress. Anime will move on whether you caught everything or not.

Tips to Learn Japanese with Video Games

We recommend going a bit further than simply changing the language setting of all your favorite video games. To get the most out of learning Japanese with video games, we recommend the following: 

1. Find games suited to your level

It is best to find video games that are better suited to the level at which you are most comfortable. Otherwise, the amount of Japanese might feel too overwhelming and take away from the enjoyment of both the game and the process of language learning. This would defeat the purpose of playing video games to practice Japanese in the first place. 

2. Choose genres more conducive to picking up Japanese

Something like Street Fighter or Tekken probably won’t encourage much reading since the games are simply about fighting opponents. A couple of genres we recommend instead:

Visual novels 

  • Games like Phoenix Wright and Ace Attorney are great for language learning since they come with rich dialogue and materials you have to read (or listen to) to get through the game and immerse yourself in the story.

RPGs 

  • RPGs like Final Fantasy are narrative-driven, requiring you to read or listen to dialogue and make decisions or respond to other characters. 
  • Sometimes these decisions will directly affect the outcome of the game, so you need to ensure you comprehend everything being said correctly.  

3. Use context to figure out what you don’t know

This will help you acquire the language naturally by figuring out the meaning of certain phrases by understanding the context surrounding them. However, do keep a phone or translator handy in case there’s a word you need to know that’s keeping you from progressing in the game. 

Conclusion and Next Steps

From simple greetings in Animal Crossing to the complex slang of Yakuza or the cinematic Japanese of Ghost of Tsushima, playing video games in Japanese is one of the most enjoyable ways to reinforce your learning. But the real key to improvement is using what you learn in actual conversation.

Want to boost your conversation skills? Practice in a fun, interactive classroom with fellow students at language schools like Coto Academy! At Coto Academy, our professional teachers can help you bridge the gap between passive recognition and active use. In our conversation-focused lessons, you’ll practice using these words in everyday situations, improve your fluency, and gain confidence. We offer intensive Japanese courses as well as part-time options, so whether you want to immerse yourself fully or fit lessons into a busy schedule, there’s something for you. Start your journey to speaking Japanese confidently today!

FAQ

Can playing video games really help me learn Japanese?

Yes, video games immerse you in a Japanese language environment, exposing you to vocabulary, sentence structures, and cultural nuances in an engaging way. They provide context-rich repetition of words and phrases, helping reinforce vocabulary naturally.

Are video games a substitute for formal Japanese language learning?

Not entirely. While games are an excellent supplementary tool for building vocabulary and reinforcing language concepts, structured learning through classes or resources is still essential for mastering grammar and fluency.

Can I use Japanese subtitles while playing?

Yes, many games allow you to switch the language settings to include Japanese audio with English or Japanese subtitles. For example, Ni no Kuni and Resident Evil 7 Biohazard are great for practicing reading and listening simultaneously.

Are there games with a steep language learning curve?

Yes, games like the Ace Attorney series have complex Japanese text, often featuring Kanji without Furigana. These games are better suited for intermediate to advanced learners seeking a challenge.

What video games are best for beginners learning Japanese?

Pokémon, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Ni no Kuni are great for beginners because they use simple vocabulary and repeat phrases often.

Are visual novels like Steins;Gate good for studying Japanese?

Definitely. Visual novels are text-heavy and fully voice-acted, which makes them excellent for practicing reading and listening simultaneously

Do all games have the option to switch to Japanese?

Most games from Japan allow you to switch to Japanese. Note that if your console or operating system is in English, the game will likely default to English.

Are video games or anime better for learning Japanese?

Both have their pros and cons. Starting with the pros: 

  • Anime has tons of dialogue that allows viewers to get tons of listening practice.
  • Video games can provide listening and reading practice where learners can learn Japanese from context and participation.

Cons of both:

  • Many video games don’t have much language involved, so you need to pick the right genre
  • It could be easy to passively watch anime without really paying attention to the Japanese language

Love reading this? You might enjoy reading related blog posts on:

Best Video Games to Learn Kanji

Best Manga to Learn Japanese

Unique Japanese Slang You Can Start Using Immediately

What started as a local custom at a village in Hyogo Prefecture, Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi, 敬老の日) later became a nationwide celebration dedicated to our elders and their countless contributions to society.

Originally called ‘Old Folks Day’, it became a national holiday in 1966, and it occurs on the third Monday of every September. It’s a relatively new holiday compared to many other national ones, and it’s one of the few dedicated to a specific age group, much like Children’s Day in May, meant to celebrate blossoming youth in Japan. In September, when the dates line up just right, Respect for the Aged Day often falls close to the Autumn Equinox, creating a stretch of consecutive holidays known as Silver Week.

So, what is Respect for the Aged Day really about, and how can you join in celebrating Japan’s seniors? Let’s dive in!

Who Does Keiro no Hi Celebrate?

what is keiro no hi?

As the name suggests, Respect for the Aged Day is a national Japanese holiday that serves as a time to pause and reflect on how the older generations have paved the way for us. Its Japanese name, 敬老の日 (Keirou no Hi), literally means “day to respect the elderly.” The name itself is made up of three kanji: 敬 (kei), meaning respect and honor; 老 (rou), representing the elderly or aged; and 日 (hi), meaning day.

For those of us who weren’t born and raised in Japan, the cultural differences between Japan and our home country can be many. One thing most of us have probably noticed, though, is Japan’s respect for its elders.

Japan and Palau are the only countries in the world to have national holidays dedicated to the elderly, but the symbolism of this day is relevant to everyone. Most of us, at some point in our lives, will move away from home, and as a result, we see less and less of our parents and grandparents.

There’s no official “starting age” for Keiro no Hi, but these days, turning 60 is generally seen as a bit too young for celebration. Traditionally, someone is considered a silver-haired honoree if they meet at least one of a few milestones: reaching 70 or 80 years of age, having at least one grandchild, or having fully retired from work. 

This holiday is a welcome reminder to treasure the older population; to listen to them, learn from them, and support them as much as possible. If you haven’t seen your elderly relatives in a while, simply call them out for lunch and go, “Hisashiburi desu“! It may seem like a small act, but a little does go a long way!

When is Respect for the Aged Day This Year?

Respect for the Aged Day is observed annually on the third Monday of September in Japan, so the exact date varies year by year. Take a look at the table below for the dates from 2025 to 2035!

YearDateDay
2025September 15Monday
2026September 21Monday
2027September 20Monday
2028September 18Monday
2029September 17Monday
2030September 16Monday
2031September 15Monday
2032September 20Monday
2033September 19Monday
2034September 18Monday
2035September 17Monday

Why Respect of the Aged Day is Important in Japan

respect of the aged day coto academy infographic

Respect for the Aged Day in Japan is important because it emphasizes respect for older people and serves as a reminder to treasure the wisdom and contributions of the older generation

Japanese society itself really values seniority. How frequently are you asked for your age in Japan? Have you ever been asked your age by a stranger? In other countries, asking someone how old they are could be quite rude. But in Japan, this isn’t meant to offend us. In fact, it is far from it. In most cases, Japanese people ask our age not out of curiosity, but to determine the appropriate level of politeness when speaking to us.

Japanese has three main levels of speech: casual, polite, and honorific. When speaking to someone older, it’s customary to use keigo, the honorific form of the language, to show respect. Age is so important in Japanese society that even being just a year older can make someone your senpai, a term denoting seniority and experience.

This culture, trickled down to its linguistic element — calling someone senpai and using honorific language — reflects the respect Japanese people place on elders and social status in Japan. 

Origin of Keiro no Hi

As a national holiday in Japan, Keiro no Hi has a relatively short history. It was originally known as 年寄りの日, or Toshiyori no Hi, which translates to Elderly People’s Day. While it is a descriptive name, it lacked the warmth and respect the holiday intended to convey. 

Respect of the Aged Day began locally in Taka Town in Hyogo Prefecture. Back then, it was called Nomaani-mura (“mura” means village) and turned into Yachiyo-cho (town), to Taka-cho,  in 1947, just after the end of World War II. The town’s mayor, Masao Kadowaki, encourages people should look up to their elders, specifically those aged 55 and older, for guidance and wisdom. This was also done to celebrate and honor their resilience in surviving two of the most significant tragedies of the 20th century: the worldwide Great Depression and the hardships of World War II.

The holiday gradually gained recognition nationwide, and in 1966, it was renamed Keiro no Hi and officially established as a national holiday. Each year, Japanese media highlight the elderly population, featuring stories about their lives and celebrating the oldest citizens in the country.

How has Keiro no Hi Changed Since It Started?

Respect for the Aged Day was originally observed annually on September 15. However, since that date doesn’t always fall on a weekday, the Japanese government moved the holiday in 2003 under the Happy Monday System to create a three-day weekend. Now, Respect for the Aged Day is celebrated on the third Monday of September, regardless of the actual date, giving people a consistent long weekend to honor the elderly.

After Respect for the Aged Day became more popular, the government decided to give elders a commemorative gift. Originally, in 1963, anyone who turned 100 years old in the previous 12 months received a solid silver sake cup, 10.5 cm in diameter. While this may have seemed extravagant to some, only 153 people qualified for the gift at the time.

Fast forward over 50 years, and Japan now has the largest percentage of centenarians in the world. By 2022, the number of centenarians had grown to more than 90,000, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Japan is known for having one of the longest life expectancies in the world, but it also has an aging population, which means the number of elderly people continues to rise. Those aged 65 and above now make up 30% of the population, and by 2055, this figure is expected to reach 40%.

What was once a relatively exclusive gift became much more costly for the government. In 2009, to reduce expenses, the diameter of the cups was decreased from 10.5 cm to 9 cm. Later, in 2016, the material was changed from solid silver to silver-plated nickel alloy.

Jumping forward to over 50 years later, Japan now has the largest percentage of centenarians on the planet – around 30,000. So, rightly or wrongly, in 2016, the government decided to reduce costs by replacing the traditional cups with silver-plated ones.

How is Respect for the Aged Day Celebrated?

There are a few traditional ways to mark this day. First and foremost, with the three-day weekend now available, many people are able to return home to celebrate with their loved ones. Secondly, volunteers in some neighbourhoods help to produce and distribute free bento lunchboxes to older citizens.

Smaller communities also provide various keirokai shows, where teenagers and children perform dances and songs for the elderly. Lastly, the Japanese media take this opportunity to honour our older citizens by featuring special programmes dedicated to them.

There are many other traditions surrounding Respect for the Aged Day, which often vary by community. Individual prefectures across Japan have added their own customs beyond the national 100-year-old silver cup gift. For example, in Kagoshima Prefecture, the city government gives new centenarians a 50,000 yen gift. In a city in Chiba Prefecture, the gift is 30,000 yen, while Tobishima Village in Aichi Prefecture goes even further, offering a 1 million yen gift!

How You Can Commemorate the Day in Japan

respect of the aged day coto academy infographic

Because Respect for the Aged Day is a relatively modern holiday, there are no strict rules for how it should be celebrated. Since it always falls on a Monday, it gives most people a long weekend to organize get-togethers with family and relatives. Here are a few things you can do during Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.

1. Connect with your elders directly

If you’re unable to spend time together in person, then a simple call, letter, or message can go a long way – especially if they aren’t expecting it.

2. Small acts of kindness are contagious

You can be especially kind to older people on this day by offering to carry bags (especially up steps!), holding open doors, and offering your seat on the train or bus.

3. Volunteer

Ask your local community centre if they are running any activities for residents and if you can volunteer. While volunteering in Japan can be challenging due to cultural and language barriers, there are often bilingual staff available to help.

4. Watch one of the Japanese feature programmes about Japan’s older population.

Annually, Japanese media take the opportunity to feature the elderly, reporting on the population and highlighting the oldest people in the country. What better way to learn from our elders? As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.” Our elders possess a wealth of knowledge, and many are more than willing to share it. Why not ask about their experiences with something that matters to you?

Interested in learning more about the Japanese language and culture? Start taking Japanese lessons with us!

One of the best ways to truly appreciate Japanese culture is by learning the language! Now, you can learn Japanese with fun, flexible lessons at Coto Academy, Tokyo and Yokohama’s leading Japanese language school.

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FAQ

What is Respect for the Aged Day?

Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday dedicated to honoring elderly citizens and celebrating their contributions to family, community, and society.

When is Respect for the Aged Day celebrated?

It is observed annually on the third Monday of September, giving people a long weekend to celebrate.

How did Respect for the Aged Day start?

The holiday began as a local celebration called Toshiyori no Hi in 1947 in Taka Town, Hyogo Prefecture. It became a national holiday in 1966 and was renamed Keiro no Hi.

Who is celebrated on this day?

There’s no strict age requirement, but generally, elders who are 70 or 80 years old, have grandchildren, or have fully retired are honored.

How is it celebrated?

Celebrations vary widely. Families often organize get-togethers, give gifts, or spend quality time with elderly relatives. Communities may host events to honor senior citizens.

Is there a special government recognition during Respect of the Aged Day?

Yes! Citizens who reach 100 years old are traditionally honored with a commemorative silver sake cup and a congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister.

Want to learn more about the Japanese national holidays? Read about:

Japanese honorifics are suffixes or prefixes used to show respect or familiarity when addressing other people. While they can be tricky for beginners, they play a key role in everyday conversations. For example, the same friend might be called Tanaka-san one day and Tanaka-kun the next, depending on who they are talking with. It all depends on context, social status, and even gender. So which one should you use?

If you’ve ever wondered the meaning of -chan, -kun, -san, and –sama and how to use them, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll break down the meanings of the most common Japanese honorifics and help you learn when to use each title.

Using Japanese Honorific Titles

Japanese honorific titles are suffixes that goes after the person’s name. In Japan, people call each other by their family name rather than their given names. For example, if you come across a Japanese person and their name is Satou Kentaro, Satou being their surname, you can commonly address them as Satou-san.

Sometimes, people can add suffixes to someone’s first name based on personal preference or relationship. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to use the person’s family name with an appropriate honorific. These suffixes are used when addressing someone directly or talking about them. Note that because Japanese society values hierarchy, people of higher status sometimes omit honorifics when referring to others.

San, the most common one, could be translated as “Mr.”, “Mrs.” and “Ms.” and is gender neutral.  However, you will find that Japanese honorific titles are more complicated to use than it looks and that they cannot be so easily translated.

More of a visual learner? Let’s watch Nami-sensei break down how Japanese suffixes like -san, -sama, -kun, and -chan work!

4 Basic Japanese Honorifics

1. San (さん)

San (さん) is certainly the first honorific title you will learn when studying Japanese. This suffix can be used to refer to almost anyone. It is gender neutral and works like “Mr.”, “Ms.”, “Miss”, or “Mrs.” in English, but it is much more commonly used in everyday Japanese.

Example:
田中さん、こんにちは。
Tanaka-san, konnichiwa.
Hello, Mr./Ms. Tanaka.

The reason this is the most common and safest honorific is that it still signals respect.

The usage of san is also very broad and flexible. While it is most commonly added to people’s names, it can also be attached to occupations, roles, or even companies and shops. For example, a baker could be called by “pan-ya san.”

Usage of “san”ExampleEnglish Equivalent
Added to a person’s name田中さん (Tanaka-san)Mr./Ms. Tanaka
Added to a profession or roleパン屋さん (pan-ya san)The baker (“Mr. Bread Shop”)
Added to a shop or business本屋さん (honya-san)The bookstore owner

2. Sama (さま)

Sama (さま) is the a very respectful honorific title in Japanese, and the more formal version of –san. It is used in a business and clientele context.

Using -sama implies that the guest or customer holds a superior or honored position. When addressing or referring to customers and clients, it shows respect and politeness, similar to “Sir” or “Madam” in English. For example, “okyaku-sama” (お客様) means “honored guest” or “customer,” emphasizing their importance.

Example:
お客様、いらっしゃいませ。
Okyaku-sama, irasshaimase.
Welcome, honored customer.

The use of –sama doesn’t just stop in spoken Japanese. When you send a letter, the recipient’s name will be followed by the kanji “様”. This practice is important because Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on hierarchy and respect, especially in formal situations. It’s similar to writing “Dear Mr./Ms.” in English but with a stronger tone of respect.

Similarly, when you want to address a group of people or an audience with respect, sama is attached to “mina” (everyone). This title is also a part of several sets of phrases such as “ostukaresama.” 

Example
神様にお願いをしました。
Kami-sama ni onegai o shimashita.
I made a wish to the god.

Japanese deities are often called 神様 (kami-sama) — the 様 (sama) shows great respect and honor, highlighting their divine status.

3. Kun (くん)

The title –kun (君) is usually reserved for young men or juniors. If you like to watch anime or read manga, you will probably notice “kun” as they appear frequently as nicknames among the main characters!

Example:
佐藤くん、こちらの資料を見てください。
Satou-kun, kochira no shiryou o mite kudasai.
Satou, please take a look at these documents.

So when exactly do Japanese people use –kun?

  • When addressing boys or young men, especially if you’re older or in a higher position (like teachers to male students, or bosses to male juniors).
  • Among male friends or classmates who are the same age or younger, to show familiarity and friendliness.
  • Women can use it to address a man to whom they are very close.

Occasionally, in a business context, young women can be called –kun by their superior. Once again, you should always keep in mind the implied hierarchy of a title. Kun is used by a person of a higher status towards a younger male or a child.

Tip: Nowadays, men sometimes use –kun when addressing women, but it’s very rare for women to call each other -kun. You should never use –kun when addressing your superiors, as it’s considered too casual and disrespectful.

4. Chan (ちゃん)

Chan (ちゃん) is the childish version of san. The honorific -chan originally comes from how children mispronounced -san, but over time, the change from the “s” sound to “ch” is considered cute in Japanese, so it became a common Japanese honorific.

You’ll often hear chan used in:

  • For young children, especially girls
  • Among close friends or family members, regardless of age, to show closeness
  • For pets or cute animals
  • Sometimes, as a playful or affectionate nickname for adults, often women

Like –kun, friends and lovers can also address each other with this honorific. Surprisingly, there are some strange and wonderful exceptions to –chan, as it can be used to refer to an endearing adult. Among the most famous examples,  you will find Arnold Schwarzenegger, called Shuwa-chan!

Fun fact! Chan is also frequently used to refer to cute cats!

Less-common Japanese Honorifics

The four Japanese honorifics we mentioned earlier — san, kun, chan, and sama — are among the most common and widely used in everyday life, with their usage depending on the degree of formality and the relationship between speakers. However, the Japanese language has evolved over hundreds of years, and some older honorifics are now rarely used, while newer or more playful ones have emerged. Let’s take a closer look at these other Japanese honorifics to complete the list!

5. Dono (殿) 

Dono (殿) is a highly formal honorific that is rarely used in modern spoken Japanese and is primarily found in formal business writing, such as letters or internal company emails. Historically, samurai and lords were addressed with the title “dono” (殿), pronounced “tono,” which conveyed great respect. Dono denoted a very high level of respect, but over time, -sama (様) has come to be considered more respectful in contemporary usage. 

In workplaces, -dono is often used for colleagues within the same company, while -sama is reserved for clients or people outside the organization. One notable nuance of -dono is that it implies a degree of subordination, meaning the speaker may be slightly “above” the addressee in hierarchical terms; for example, a senior employee might address a junior colleague or student as “Tanaka-dono” in a letter. 

Nowadays, using -dono feels somewhat old-fashioned, and many people may never encounter it at all. Its usage is slowly phasing out, and while some companies continue to use it traditionally in internal communications,  sama has become the safer and more standard choice when addressing someone respectfully.

6. Shi (氏)

Shi (氏) is a formal and neutral honorific used almost exclusively in written Japanese, such as newspapers, academic papers, official documents, or news reporting. Unlike sama or dono, it is not used in spoken conversation, and its purpose is to show respect in a polite but detached way. 

For example, in a news article, one might write “Suzuki-shi stated that…” to refer to Mr. or Ms. Suzuki respectfully but neutrally. Because it conveys formality without intimacy, shi is considered appropriate in official or professional contexts, but it is generally avoided in everyday speech.

7. Tan (たん)

 Tan (たん) is a cute evolution of -chan (ちゃん), created as a more playful and endearing term of affection. Much like how in English baby talk, a word like “milk” might become “mimi,” tan is a childish mispronunciation of chan. Over time, it became popular in otaku culture, fandoms, and among close friends. Like chan, tan is gender-neutral in principle, though it is most often used for girls or characters considered particularly cute. You’ll typically encounter tan in nicknames, fan communities, and playful informal speech.

Read More: How to Make a Cute Japanese Nickname

8. Bou (坊)

Bou  (坊) is a historical and affectionate Japanese honorific that was originally used to refer to apprentices, monks, or sons of a family, depending on the context. Over time, it became a diminutive for boys, similar to calling someone “buddy” or “sport” in English. Unlike chan, which is a more common and gender-neutral affectionate suffix used for children, close friends, or even partners, bou specifically emphasizes youth and masculinity. In modern Japanese, its use is quite rare and mostly appears in literature, historical contexts, or playful nicknames.

Using Social Status as Japanese Titles

By now, you must have guessed there is quite a long list of honorific titles. But did you know that another Japanese honorific system goes beyond simple suffixes and instead reflects hierarchy and social roles? In Japanese culture, relationships are often defined by seniority, and this is reflected in language that signals experience, guidance, and social ranking. The most famous ones are definitely senpai, kouhai, and sensei.

9. Senpai

Senpai (先輩) means “senior” or “upperclassman.” It refers to someone who has more experience or is in a higher grade or position than you, such as an older student, a senior colleague, or a mentor. Senpai often guides or supports kouhai.

In Japanese, senpai (先輩) can work like an honorific title. You attach it to someone’s name, like “Tanaka-senpai,” to show respect for their experience or seniority at school, work, or any group. Unlike -san or -chan, which are just polite ways to address someone, senpai shows your relationship: it tells people that you are the junior (kouhai) and they are the more experienced or senior person. I

10. Kouhai (後輩)

Kouhai (後輩) means “junior” or “underclassman.” It refers to someone who is younger, less experienced, or in a lower grade or position. Kouhai typically show respect to their senpai.

Note: Unlike senpai, kouhai is usually not used as an honorific attached to a name in the same way; it’s more about your relationship to the person!

11. Sensei (先生)

Sensei (先生) literally means “teacher” or “master.” If you’ve just started learning basic Japanese, you might recognize that sensei means teacher—the kind you have in school. But did you know that in Japanese, sensei can also refer to master or someone who is really skilled at their craft? Nowadays, this can mean doctors, politicians, or lawyers. It can also be used to show respect to artists, writers, or skilled practitioners. In the past (and still today), in Japanese martial arts, sensei usually refers to the head of a dojo.

We use sensei as an honorific because it’s a way of showing respect for someone’s knowledge, skill, or experience. Unlike casual suffixes like -san or -chan, which just make a name polite or friendly, sensei acknowledges authority and expertise.

田中先生に質問があります。
Tanaka-sensei ni shitsumon ga arimasu.
I have a question for Mr./Ms. Tanaka (my teacher).

If you enjoy learning about Japanese history, you might also have heard “chichi ue” or “haha ue” to speak about one’s father (chichi) or mother (haha) with a high level of respect: 上 (ue) meaning above.

japanese men shaking hands

Japanese Honorifics in the Workplace and Occupations

San, kun, chan, and sama honorifics are often considered the basic Japanese titles, but there are other occupational honorific titles. Beware of the Japanese working environment! In traditional Japanese companies, workers are often addressed by their job titles rather than honorifics. For example, instead of saying “Tanaka-san,” you would say “Tanaka-shachou” when referring to your company president.

12. Buchou (部長)

The buchou is the head of a department within a company. They are responsible for managing the department’s operations, supervising staff, and making sure their team meets its goals.

田中部長は今、会議室で重要な打ち合わせをしています。
Tanaka-buchou wa ima, kaigishitsu de juuyou na uchiawase o shiteimasu.
Manager Tanaka is currently having an important meeting in the conference room.

13. Shachou (社長)

The shachou is the company president or CEO. This is the highest executive position in the company, responsible for making major decisions, setting company policies, and representing the company both internally and externally. The shachou usually reports to the board of directors.

Example:
社長の山本さんは、新しいプロジェクトの発表をしました。
Shachou no Yamamoto-san wa, atarashii purojekuto no happyou o shimashita.
President Yamamoto announced a new project.

14. Kachou (課長)

The kachou is a section manager or chief. They manage a smaller group or section within a department and report to the buchou.

Example:
鈴木課長はチームの進捗を毎週チェックしています。
Suzuki-kachou wa chiimu no shinchoku o maishuu chekku shiteimasu.
Section Chief Suzuki checks the team’s progress every week.

Common Mistakes When Using Honorifics

One common mistake Japanese learners make is referring to themselves with an honorific title. Remember to never use san or any other title to refer to yourself unless you want to sound arrogant! The only exception to the rule is chan: in a casual context, some people, in particular, women, will refer to themselves in a childish third person.

Other times you should not use Japanese honorifics include:
  • Close family members (sometimes): Within families, honorifics are often dropped, especially when speaking about or to immediate family like siblings or parents.
  • Very close friends or lovers: Among close friends or romantic partners, people often use just the name or nicknames without honorifics.
  • In very casual or informal settings: Among children or in casual groups, honorifics might be omitted.
  • When using job titles or roles in formal contexts: As mentioned, sometimes , especially in business, people use titles like “buchou” (manager) or “tenchou” (store manager) without honorifics.

When to Drop Japanese Titles: 呼び捨て (Yobisute)

Yobisute (呼び捨て) is the act of dropping the suffix when you refer to someone else. As it shows a degree intimacy, it is important to take a peek into the Japanese concept of “in-out” (uchi / soto) ruling the whole Japanese speech.

  • In Japanese, “uchi” means home. As a concept, “uchi” refers to all the people you know inside a specific social circle: your family, your company, your club. For example, inside the “uchi”, family members may drop the title.
  • In Japanese, “soto” means outside. As a concept, “soto” refers to all the people who are not inside your specific social circle. For example, another company’s employee.

Japanese speech differs depending on the social context of your interlocutor. Foreigners most often struggle to grasp the honorific speech and the profoundly complex politeness of Japanese language. An important and simple rule is that you will not speak the same way with someone from “uchi” to someone from “soto”. Regarding the honorific title, the tricky conversation context would be when your interlocutor is from soto and you are referring to someone from “uchi”:

When talking with a client about your manager, Mr. Kaneki, you usually call him Kaneki-san in the office. However, in this formal context, you drop the honorific and use his work title instead: buchou no Kaneki (部長の金木), meaning “Manager Kaneki.”

Similarly, when referring to a colleague like Takezawa-san, you would say douryou no Takezawa (同僚の竹沢), which means “colleague Takezawa.”

Using Japanese Honorifics with a Western Name

In Japanese, honorifics are typically attached to a person’s last name, because Japanese society traditionally prioritizes the family or group over the individual. But what happens if you have a Western or foreign name that doesn’t follow that convention? Luckily, Japanese honorifics like -san, -chan, -sama, -sensei, and -senpai can also be used with Western names. For example, if your friend John is close to you, you could call him John-chan to show affection or playfulness. If you’re addressing a teacher or expert named Sarah, you could say Sarah-sensei to show respect for her knowledge or skill.

Of course, it’s also up to you and how the other person prefers to be addressed. You can use a surname, like Smith, if that feels more natural, but it’s all about mutual agreement and comfort in conversation.

Very often, you can feel confused and surprised to hear people addressing others with their family name. Japanese are not always at ease when addressing a foreigner, but they know the connection implied by the use of the first name abroad. Do not be surprised if -san is added to your first name instead of your family name. And do not feel offended if they omit the -san as some Japanese might attempt to respect Western manners.

On the contrary, the use of the first name is considered too familiar for the Japanese, and they would feel rather uncomfortable. That being said, the more you spend time in Japan or close to Japanese, the more you will understand that exceptions exist, in particular with Japanese who have experience with foreigners.

In business contexts, it is necessary to use keigo with colleagues of higher positions and seniority. You can also learn about the different ways to refer to yourself!

What’s Next After Learning Japanese Suffixes?

Want to master Japanese honorifics like -san, -kun, -chan, and -sama with confidence? Continue learning Japanese at Coto Academy, where you will learn not just the grammar, but the cultural nuances behind the language!

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What are Japanese honorifics?

Japanese honorifics are suffixes or titles added to names or job titles to express respect, familiarity, or social hierarchy. Common honorifics include -san, -kun, -chan, and -sama.

When should I use -san in Japanese?

Use -san when addressing someone politely, especially in formal situations or when speaking to people you don’t know well. It’s the most commonly used honorific and works like “Mr.” or “Ms.” in English, but is more universal.

What’s the difference between -kun and -chan?

Kun is typically used for boys or younger men and may also be used in workplace settings by superiors addressing junior staff. Chan is a more affectionate honorific used for children, close friends, or loved ones.

What does -sama mean in Japanese?

Sama is a very respectful honorific, often used for customers, clients, or people of higher social status. It is also used in formal letters and customer service settings.

Should I use Japanese honorifics when speaking English?

If you’re discussing Japanese people or culture in English, it’s acceptable to use honorifics like –san, especially for clarity or respect.

Where should I study Japanese?

If you want to learn Japanese effectively, consider Coto Academy. Coto offers tailored courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners, with native teachers who focus on practical conversation and cultural understanding. Whether you prefer in-person classes in Tokyo and Yokohama or online lessons from anywhere, Coto provides flexible options to suit your schedule.

Want to read more about Japanese language and culture? You might enjoy these posts:

Otsukaresama desu! If you’ve lived or worked a little in Japan, you might have heard this key expression. In the office, you might want to make sure that you develop a warm relationship with your new Japanese colleagues. The key expression that you will have to learn is “otsukaresama desu” (お疲(つか)れ様(さま)です).

In English, “otsukaresama desu” literally means “tired” or “you’re tired”. It is one of those Japanese expressions, like onegaishimasu, where its true meaning goes far beyond a simple translation. In the workplace, for example, it carries a sense of appreciation, acknowledgment, and camaraderie. Used in the right context, like after a long day of work, it conveys respect for your colleagues’ effort and signals that you’re all in this together. So, what does it really mean, and how do you use it without sounding awkward? Let’s dive in!

Quick Video Summary of Otsukaresama Desu

Let’s watch a video for a quick crash course on how to use otsukaresama desu in Japanese!

Meaning of お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama Desu)

  • Otsukaresama desu (otsukarasama desu) is literally translated to “tired” or “you’re tired.” To understand this unique phrase a bit more, let’s break it down piece by piece. The phrase is actually made of several parts. 
    お(o) is the honorific prefix that expresses politeness (the phrase always has this prefix).
  •  疲れる (tsukareru) is the root word of tsukareru, meaning “to be tired or be tired”
  • 様 (sama) is an honorific suffix that adds even greater respect to the phrase. You will often hear this suffix attached to your last name by service staff to express respect to you.
  • です (desu) is a marker for politeness.

The phrase is used in different contexts, so what you’re expressing to the listener will be far from the literal English definition. 

The closest English translation would be “thank you for your hard work”, “good work”, or more simply saying that “you’ve worked hard”. By saying お疲れ様です, you show your appreciation for a colleague’s work within your team or related to your company.

Difference Between Otsukaresama Desu (です) and Otsukaresama Deshita (でした)

If you’ve spent any time in a Japanese workplace, you’ve probably heard お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) countless times. But sometimes, you’ll also hear お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita). Since deshita is the past tense of desu, it might seem like a small difference. So what’s the real difference between saying です and でした, and when should you use each?

The nuance is a bit tricky.  In short, otsukaresama desu is used to address ongoing effort, while otsukaresama deshita is used when the other person has completed the effort. When saying でした, you use the past form and imply that the work is “done”, “over”.

If you were to leave a colleague to his task and say でした, you would literally say, “Thank you for your finished work,” although he’s still working on it!

お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu), meanwhile, is used while someone is still working or when you greet colleagues during the day. It’s like saying, “Hello, and thanks for your hard work so far.”When in doubt, prefer the present phrase “otsukaresama desu”. Better to be safe than rude.

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Different Ways to Say お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)

Generally, otsukaresama desu is the most common and respectful way to say this phrase, but as mentioned above you can drop certain parts to make it more casual. So, here are some other ways otsukaresama desu could be used:

1. Otsukaresama desu

The most basic form and the safest is, of course, otsukare sama desu. It is used while someone is still working or during the day to acknowledge ongoing effort. It works like a polite greeting combined with appreciation. For example, when passing by a colleague at their desk, you might say:

お疲れ様です！
Thanks for your hard work!

2. お疲れ様でした (Otsukaresama deshita)

This phrase is used after work is completed or after someone finishes a task. It expresses gratitude for the effort that has already been put in. For example, at the end of the workday:

お疲れ様でした。
Thank you for your hard work today.

3. Otsukaresama (お疲れ様)

You can say this expression without the desu (です) attached, which will make it more casual.  Sama (様) is generally seen as a very formal suffix, but in this context, otsukaresama has a rather informal connotation.

4. Otsukare (お疲れ)

Otsukare is the most casual form of the phrase, without any of the formal markers. This expression is best used with friends or colleagues you are close to. With senpai or your bosses, it is better to use the more formal versions of the expression. 

These expressions lean towards the more casual side of communication, but what is the most appropriate for work or outside of work?

5. Otsukaresama de gozaimasu (お疲れ様でございます) 

お疲れ様でございます is the most formal and polite version of お疲れ様です. It’s often used in business settings when speaking to clients, superiors, or anyone you want to show extra respect to. The addition of でございます (the ultra-polite, keigo form of です) elevates the level of politeness.

While お疲れ様です can be used casually among colleagues, お疲れ様でございます should be reserved for the most formal settings. For example, in a business email, you might write:

本日もお疲れ様でございます。
Honjitsu mo otsukare sama de gozaimasu.
Thank you for your hard work today.

Since using でございます can sound awkward in everyday spoken conversation, it is usually reserved for written form or when speaking to clients, where a higher level of politeness and professionalism is expected.

When to use お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu)

First of all, don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know when to use otsukaresama desu. It might sound strange to repeat it several times a day every time you see your coworkers, but for your colleagues, it shows your desire to get closer and to respect Japanese work culture.

Saying Otsukaresama Desu at the Workplace

The expression is most often used while working in Japan, in which case it might be more formal. But this term is used in a variety of different circumstances, and depending on your relationship with certain colleagues, you could say it more casually. So let’s explore the different situations when お疲れ様です or お疲れ is most appropriate at work.

1. Arriving at your workplace

In a situation when you would normally say “hi” or “How are you doing” to your colleague, replace it with お疲れ様です. The expression is proper when you arrive at work after your colleagues. Depending on the situation, it is also a perfect conversation starter or ending.

However, when entering the office in the morning, it is more customary to say おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) instead. But it does depend on the situation. If you have a shift in the afternoon or evening, it might be more common to say otsukaresama desu rather than a Japanese greeting such as こんばんは (konbanwa).

2. During work and meetings

You can use the expression in various situations, so it’s difficult to explain them all. Very often, internal meetings will end with everyone saying お疲れ様です as a way to thank all the participants.
Co-workers will thank each other for completing a task or when one of them returns from a meeting outside. お疲れ様です expresses the importance of teamwork in Japan. Japanese people believe everyone must feel recognized and part of the company.
You can even say the phrase when crossing the path of a colleague in your company’s hallway. It’s never too much!

3. Leaving after work

The phrase is typically used after working hours when employees leave the office. The colleagues still working say goodbye with お疲(つか)れ様(さま)でした (otsukaresama deshita).
Japan is also known for nominication, a word born from 飲む to drink and the word “communication”. Traditionally, Japanese coworkers share drinks after work and in a more casual context, which helps to build a good work relationship. Sometimes, before or after you kanpai with your colleagues, your team might also say otsukaresama desu to show appreciation for everyone’s team effort.

Using お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) Outside of the Workplace

Yes. Even outside your working environment, you could use the expression to greet some people you know well. However, the meaning would be a little different, closer to a simple Japanese greeting than an appreciation of their workday.

1. With Friends

You could use the expression to greet some people you know well. However, the meaning would be a little different, closer to a simple Japanese greeting than an appreciation of their workday, depending on the circumstance.

You could even say it to your friend after they’ve had a long day, to acknowledge that they worked hard. Since you don’t need to be so formal, just saying お疲れ様 (Otsukaresama) or お疲れ (Otsukare) would be more comfortable and less rigid-sounding. 

2. In Clubs & Sports Teams

This is especially common if you join a Japanese university and enter one ff its clubs, or ぶかつ (bukatsu). If you’re involved in any group activity in Japan, whether it’s sports, art, or other extracurriculars, you’ll likely hear お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) after every practice. This is both a way of showing appreciation and a way of saying bye. Additionally, when celebrating after a competition or even for bounenkai (year-end gathering), you often meet up for drinks and say otsukaresama desu before you kanpai, similar to drinking with colleagues.

When Should You Not Use Otsukaresama Desu?

With colleagues or sports teammates, there are very few instances saying otsukaresama desu wouldn’t be appropriate. You wouldn’t use otsukaresama desu to clients or customers. When they leave your office or place of work, you would say thank you very much or ありがとうございます. 

However, there are still situations where you might say お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) to a client or customer. For example, when you get a haircut, it’s common for the stylist to say お疲れ様です right after finishing your hair. However, unlike in workplaces or clubs, it’s usually not said right before you leave, since the phrase in this context is more about acknowledging the effort that just took place rather than serving as a goodbye.

Alternatives to Otsukaresama Desu

As we mentioned, お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) can have various meanings, ranging from “thank you for your hard work” to “excuse me” when leaving the office. However, depending on the situation, there are several alternative phrases you can use to express similar sentiments more appropriately.

1. ご苦労様です (Gokurousama desu)?

The two expressions, お疲(つか)れ様(さま) and ご苦労様(くろうさま) share the same meaning, showing the appreciation of someone’s hardship. However, the latter is less frequently used as it implies a social connotation and is always directed at subordinates. Simply speaking, your boss can thank you with ご苦労様です, but you will answer back with a respectful お疲れ様です.
In a more casual context and with your friends, you can simply use お疲れ or お疲れ様. Always remember to be careful with the level of politeness in Japan. When in doubt, use keigo to be polite.

2. ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)

Arigatou gozaimasu is the standard polite way to say “thank you” in Japanese. You can use arigatou gozaimasu in place of otsukare sama desu in place when you want to thank someone in the workplace. It can be used to thank a colleague for their help, acknowledge someone’s effort, or show appreciation for a service.

3. お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)

お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) literally means “Excuse me for leaving ahead.” It’s a polite phrase commonly used when leaving the office or a meeting before others, showing that you recognize your colleagues are still working. In many workplaces, it’s often paired with お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) to acknowledge everyone’s ongoing effort. That said, you can also use either phrase on its own when exiting. Both are perfectly natural ways to show respect while leaving!

Final Remarks on Otsukaresama Desu

Whether you’re in the office, on the sports field, or just hanging out with friends, お疲れ様です (Otsukaresama desu) is more than just “thanks for your hard work.”

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FAQ

What does "Otsukaresama desu" mean?

“Otsukaresama desu” translates to “Thank you for your hard work” or “Good work.” It’s used to express appreciation for someone’s efforts and to acknowledge their contributions in a professional setting.

When should I use "Otsukaresama desu" in the workplace?

You can use “Otsukaresama desu” in various situations, such as:​

  • Saying goodbye when leaving the office.
  • Greeting colleagues during the day.​
  • Acknowledging someone’s hard work after completing a task or meeting.​

What's the difference between "Otsukaresama desu" and "Otsukaresama deshita"?

“Otsukaresama desu” is the present tense and is often used during the workday. “Otsukaresama deshita” is the past tense, used when work is finished or at the end of the day.

Can "Otsukaresama desu" be used outside of work?

Yes, it can be used in non-work settings like sports or events to show appreciation for someone’s effort.

How do I respond to "Otsukaresama desu"?

You can reply with “Otsukaresama desu” as well, returning the appreciation.

Is there a version used by superiors to subordinates?

Yes, “Gokurosama desu” (ご苦労様です) is used by superiors, but it’s not appropriate to use it toward someone of higher status.

Can it replace greetings like "Konnichiwa"?

In workplace settings, yes. It’s common to use “Otsukaresama desu” instead of “hello” when seeing coworkers.

Why is this phrase important in Japanese work culture?

It promotes mutual respect and recognition, reinforcing teamwork and a sense of community in the workplace.

Is it rude not to say otsukaresama desu?

In professional or group settings, it may come across as cold or dismissive. It’s a key phrase for maintaining good relationships in Japan.

Can I use otsukare with friends?

Yes! Among close friends or peers, you can shorten it to お疲れ (otsukare) for a casual, friendly tone.


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