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)
• What’s Keigo? Teineigo, Sonkeigo and Kenjougo
• When You Shouldn’t Use Keigo
• What’s Tameguchi? Casual Japanese Form
• When Can You Use Tameguchi? 
• When Should You Not Use Tameguchi?
• Where to Learn — and Not to Learn — Tameguchi

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.

ください (kudasai) and おねがいします (onegaishimasu) are one of the first phrases you’ll hear when you’re studying Japanese, typically used to ask for a favor or request. Their versatility — not to mention their relation to Japan’s culture of politeness and humility — is the reason you’ll find Japanese people using them a lot.

In essence, both words mean “please,” and it’s easy to use them interchangeably. Sure, in English, there’s only one way to say “please”, but in Japanese, it is a bit different. ください and おねがいします, but their contextual meaning and how to use them are different. .

This little semantic difference is backed by years and years of cultural preference. Beyond a simple translation, they are selectively used depending on the tone, context and sentence structure you’re going for. So when and how do you use kudasai and onegaishimasu separately? Continue reading in this blog!

Before we go further into the article, note that this article will use hiragana, so prior knowledge of them is a must. If you’re still learning them, don’t worry. Take a look at our hiragana chart to review them.

Jump to:

• The Literal Meaning of Kudasai and Onegaishimasu
• Contextual Meaning of Kudasai (ください)
• Contextual Meaning of Onegaishimasu (おねがいします)
• How to Use Kudasai (ください)
• How to Use Onegaishimasu (おねがいします)

The Literal Meaning of Kudasai and Onegaishimasu

ください or 下さい is derived from the verb くださる, which means to ”give me”. It is the humble honorific verb that means the same as くれる. Following this, ください is used when you want to get something from the other speaker or party. In English, we can translate it to “Please give me (this).” Thus the verb is describing the action of the “requester”

On the other hand, おねがいします or お願いします comes from the word 願い・ねがい, which means “wish” or “hope“. When you use おねがいします, you are basically asking someone to humbly do you a favor. Think of it as describing the action of the requestor. When used to tell someone to do something with おねがいします, it becomes less of a wish and more of an instruction (“to request”). When you are saying おねがいします, you are literally saying either “I’d like that” or “I beg of you.”

To get a better picture of how these two phrases differ, check out the example sentences.

ラーメン　を　ひとつください。
Give me one (bowl) of ramen.

サラダ　を　お願いします。
さらだ　を　おねがいします。
Salad, please.

Now that you know the literal meaning, let’s get into both words’ contextual implications.

Contextual Meaning of Kudasai (ください)

1. ください is used when asking something for yourself (or your group)

While these two words can be roughly translated as “please”, ください is used to make a request for something you are entitled to. In other words, you can’t use kudasai on someone’s behalf.

For example, Nをください translates to “Please give me N.” Take a look at a simple example below.

A：これ　を　ください (Please give me this)。
B：はい (Yes)。

2. ください is used to ask someone who is equal or below your social status

In Japan and its society, rank is important, and your position will determine the degree of politeness. This is why keigo (humble Japanese form used in business or work) is a big part of Japanese culture.

A teacher who is requesting something from their student will use ください instead of おねがいします because, having to bear the higher title, they can speak more casually. The same can be said when you are a guest (お客さま) ordering at a store or a restaurant.

You wouldn’t want to use “kudasai” to your manager or supervisor. Instead, you use it for making a request to a friend or someone who has a lower social status, like your こうはい (your junior at work or school).

鉛筆　を　ください
えんぴつ　を　ください
Give me the pencil.

Notice that in these example sentences, ください feels more like a command, closer to order. ください’s blatancy can feel awkward when it’s used to someone with a higher social status.

3. ください is used for only concrete or tangible things

You can only use ～をください for concrete things. For things like an understanding, explanation or other non-tangible requests, opt for おねがいします instead.

You can, however, tie the object with a verb (~te form) and add ください. Take a look at the example below.

説明　を　下さい。
せつめい　を　ください。
Explain, please (wrong).

説明して下さい。
せつめいしてください。
Please explain (correct).

4. ください is more casual when requesting an object

Simply speaking, ください has a more casual (not to be mistaken as rude) tone than おねがいします. It implies a demand and want, rather than a wish or request.

The same way Japanese men and women uses different suffix (kun, chan or san) and first-and-second pronouns (watashi, ore or boku), you’ll tend to hear men use ください more often than women.

水　を　ください
みず　を　ください
Give me (a glass of) water.

5. ください can be used to make formal commands

You can’t use onegaishimasu for commands, but you can use kudasai to do an action using the ~て formula. This is because “kudasai” can be used with a verb.

Keep in mind that ください is a less polite way of requesting an object (something tangible), but when it comes to making an order, it is considered polite. Take a look at the example below.

座ってください。
すわってください。
Please take a seat.

食べてください。
たべてください。
Please eat.

ちょっと待ってください。
ちょっとまってください。
Please wait a moment.

To make the command more casual (be careful when using it), you can omit the ください.

ちょっと待ってね。
ちょっとまってね
Wait.

Note that you can use a verb with onegaishimasu, but you have to change the verb into a noun. In this case, adding の (no) after it nominalizes a verb.

Contextual Meaning of Onegaishimasu (おねがいします)

1. おねがいします is used to make requests for someone who is higher than you or a stranger

Onegaishimasu has a more passive and humble tone to it. In fact, you’ll find おねがいします partnered together in other formal phrases: when you meet someone, when you reply to a mail or when you’re working together. It’s more commonly used to request a favor from a superior or someone you don’t know. This is because おねがいします is closer to “I beg of you” than “would you please.”

水をください。
みずをください。
(Give me) water, please.

水をお願いします。
みずをおねがいします
(A glass of) water, please.

Notice that in the example, kudasai feels more direct. This relates to Japanese culture. Japanese people are generally indirect communicators. They may be ambiguous when answering questions and making requests to prevent a loss of face or out of politeness. You can also use ‘kudasai’ for an item, but if you want to be more formal when requesting an object, use おねがいします instead.

If you want to be more humble use, you’d say おねがいいたします. いたします is the most humble form of “do” or する.

3. おねがいします is used when you are requesting a service you can’t fulfill yourself

東京駅　まで　お願いします。
とうきょうえき　まで　おねがいします。
To Tokyo Station, please.

When you’re requesting service for something you can’t do yourself, you mustn’t use kudasai. In the above situation above, you can’t travel to Tokyo Station alone. Instead, you’re asking a taxi driver to do it for you.

4. おねがいします is used for asking to speak to someone on the phone

This is one of the situations where only おねがいします is used (the other being asking for a service). When asking to speak to someone on the phone, you can only use おねがいします. You can’t ask someone to “give” you a person.

田中さんお願いします。
たなかさんおねがいします。
May I speak to Mr. Tanaka?

Similarly, you can’t ask for someone using kudasai as it is considered rude.

べんごしおねがいします。
May I have a lawyer, please.

5. おねがいします can be used to request abstract objects

～をお願いします can be used when you ask for abstract or non-tangible things. This includes explanations, understanding or cooperation.

One of the examples is an expression you’d often hear on train platforms or informal announcements.

ご協力　を　おねがいします。
ごきょうりょく　を　おねがいします。
We ask for your cooperation.

ご理解　を　おねがいします。
ごりかい　を　おねがいします。
We ask for your understanding.

Note that we use “go” ご to add a feeling of politeness. In Japanese, it is common to use the prefixes お and ご when using keigo. If you want to know more about them, check our introduction to Japanese honorific and humble form here.

How to Use Kudasai (ください)

Noun + を + ください

Kudasai (ください) is put after an object and its o particle (を).

Example sentence	English translation
スタンプ(を)ください。	Stamp, please.
カフェラテ(を)ください。	(One) caffe latte, please.
おかわり(を)ください。	Please refill

It’s common in everyday conversation to skip the o (を) particle when using ください.

Verb ~て + ください

For this, you will need to know how to conjugate Japanese verbs into ~te (~て). There are three different conjugation groups, with some irregular verbs that have exceptions to the て form rules. If you haven’t learned them already, we’ve made a separate blog post on how to transform a verb into a ~te verb, complete with handy illustrated cards.

Example sentence	English translation
自分の袋を持ってください。 じぶんのふくろをもってください。	Please bring your own bag.
毎日勉強してください。 まいにちべんきょうしてください。	Please study every day
写真を撮ってください。 しゃしんをとってください。	Please take a picture.

How to Use Onegaishimasu (おねがいします)

Noun + を + おねがいします

Similar to kudasai, おねがいします follows the o particle (を) and the object of the sentence. Remember that while you can replace ください with おねがいします, it depends on the context and social circumstances.

を in ～をおねがいします can be skipped, particularly in spoken conversations.

Example sentence	English translation
よやくをおねがいします。	I want to make a reservation, please.
でんわをおねがいします。	Please make a phone call.
メニューをおねがいします。	(I want to see) the menu, please.

おねがいします can stand alone

はい、お願いします。
Yes, please.

宜しくお願いします。
よろしくおねがいします。
This phrase roughly translates to “I hope things go well” or “I hope you treat me well”.

There are a number of ways to translate the meaning of よろしくおねがいします, but the important point to note is that it is not said with regards to something that has already happened. Instead, it is used as an expression of gratitude, apology, explanation, or expression of something that will happen in the future.

Nominalized verb + おねがいします

To do this, use a plain-form verb and attach it to a の (no)

	Plain form	Verb to noun
to eat	たべる	たべるの
to drink	のむ	のむの
to seat	すわる	すわるの
to go	いく	いくの
to read	よむ	よむの

For the word たべるの, because it essentially becomes a noun, you can use it with おねがいします and do the following:

たべるの(を)おねがいします。

ちょっとまっておねがいします。
Please wait a moment. Wrong.

Although using it is pretty simple, we strongly advise you to say まってください instead.

Conclusion

Ultimately, both are equivalent to “please”, so you’re not going to be wrong no matter which one you use. Just remember that kudasai can be used for a te-form verb. Once you find your footing and preference, using them will be a breeze.

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FAQ

How do you use ください in Japanese?

　”ください” is used to politely request something, like saying “please give me” or “please do” in English.

How to use まで in a sentence?

“まで” means “until” or “up to” and marks the endpoint of time, place, or quantity (e.g., 5時まで = until 5 o’clock).

Do you use ください when ordering food?

Yes, you can use “ください” when ordering food to politely ask for a menu item (e.g., ラーメンをください = Ramen, please).

Why do girls say やめてください?

“やめてください” means “please stop,” and girls (or anyone) use it to politely ask someone to stop doing something unwanted.

Want to learn more Japanese phrases? Read our guide on:

• How to Use Ganbaru, Ganbatte and Ganbare
• What Does Senpai (先輩) Mean in English?
• How to Use San, Sama, Kun
• How to Use Otsukaresama Desu in Japanese

Knowing how to write a proper Japanese business email is an important skill when working for a Japanese company. In Japanese business culture, email serves as a medium that reflects professionalism and respect for hierarchy. It mirrors the careful etiquette and structure you’d find in face-to-face meetings.

Historically, building business relationships in Japan has relied heavily on face-to-face interactions, often involving formal client visits. However, in recent years, digital communication has become the norm. Even if you are working for an international company, it is always good to write a well-crafted business email allows you to establish and maintain professional relationships with Japanese clients. reading our guide on how to write a formal business email!

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

Japanese vs English Business Email

Surprisingly, Japanese business emails are quite different from English emails, and often more complex, even if both are technically used in a professional setting. Even many Japanese people find it challenging to draft a proper email!

Japanese emails tend to be highly formal, emphasizing politeness. They often begin with seasonal greetings or expressions of gratitude such as “いつもお世話になっております (itsu mo osewa ni natte orimasu),” and may include a self-introduction even after initial contact.

The main message is usually indirect and carefully worded to maintain harmony, and the closing remarks are elaborate, often including apologies or humble requests like “何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます.” In contrast, English business emails are more direct and concise, typically beginning with a simple greeting like “I hope you’re well” and getting to the point quickly. There is less emphasis on hierarchy and formality, and requests are often straightforward (e.g., “Please confirm”).

These differences reflect broader cultural values: Japanese communication prioritizes relationship-building and group harmony, while English communication values clarity, efficiency, and individual accountability.

Let’s take a look at how to make a request politely in a Japanese business email.

Japanese Phrase	English Equivalent	Notes
ご確認いただけますでしょうか？ Gokakunin itadakemasu deshouka?	Could you please confirm?	Very polite and common in business emails.
ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。 Gokakunin no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	I would appreciate your confirmation.	Polite and humble, often used to close a request.

A Good Japanese Email Structure

Japanese email structure follows the same structure as an English email; the main difference lies in how you word it.

A Japanese email consists of 7 parts.

Section	Japanese (Kanji)	Hiragana Reading	Romaji	Meaning / Purpose
Receiver	宛名	あてな	Atena	The recipient’s name and title
Greetings	挨拶	あいさつ	Aisatsu	Opening greeting and polite expressions
Addressing Yourself	名乗り	なのり	Nanori	Introducing yourself (name, company, etc.)
Main Body Context	要旨	ようし	Youshi	Summary or purpose of the email
Details	詳細	しょうさい	Shousai	Detailed explanation or supporting info
Closing Remarks	結びの言葉	むすびのことば	Musubinokotoba	Polite closing remarks and expressions
Name & Signature	署名	しょめい	Shomei	Your name, title, and contact information

How to Write Business Emails in Japanese

Japanese business emails have a ceremonial element to them, and because of that, there is more of a templated formal structure than the freeform letters we are used to in a Western context.

1. Subject Line

Like in Western practice, the subject line in a Japanese business email should clearly communicate the purpose of the message. It needs to be specific and informative enough that the recipient can understand the general context without even opening the email.

Example:
【○○株式会社】6月20日打ち合わせのご確認
【○○Kabushikigaisha】Rokugatsu hatsuka uchiawase no gokakunin
[XYZ Corporation] Confirmation of Meeting on June 20

2. Opening

The first thing to remember when it comes to writing a Japanese business email is the use of the word 様 (sama), one of the many Japanese honorifics. This is an important and polite suffix/honorific that is standard procedure for Japanese business emails. Other than that, always remember to express gratitude when you start your email.

You can use phrases such as「お世話になっております」which means “We become indebted to you” literally.

After you open your email, you would need to introduce yourself. Introduce yourself by stating your full name and your current company you are working for with your current position.

If this is your first time meeting the person and you are doing a follow-up with the person, you may use this phrase「ABC株式会社のアダムと申します」which means “this is Adam from ABC Corporation”. If this is not your first time meeting the person, you should use this phrase instead「ABC株式会社のアダムでございます」which also means “this Adam from ABC Corporation”.

Example:

Japanese	Romaji	English
山田様 いつもお世話になっております。 ABC株式会社の田中と申します。	Yamada-sama, Itsu mo osewa ni natte orimasu. ABC kabushikigaisha no Tanaka to moushimasu.	Mr./Ms. Yamada, Thank you for your support. This is Tanaka from ABC Company.

Besides that, depending on the context, you may also want to include additional phrases, such as apologizing for a late reply, thanking the recipient for a quick response, or offering a polite apology for sending a sudden email.

Japanese	Romaji	English
早速のお返事ありがとうございました。	Sassoku no ohenji arigatou gozaimashita.	Thank you for the quick reply
お返事が遅れて、失礼いたしました。	Ohenji ga okurete, shitsurei itashimashita.	Sorry for the late reply
突然のメール、失礼いたします。	Totsuzen no meeru, shitsurei itashimasu.	Sorry for the sudden email
お忙しいところ大変申し訳ございませんが、〜	Oisogashii tokoro taihen mōshiwake gozaimasen ga, ~	Sorry to interrupt while you are busy, but…

Though not common, you can also use a very formal way of saying “How are you doing?”: お元気でいらっしゃいますか。

3. Email Body

The email body is where you clearly and politely state the main purpose of your message. It usually starts with a brief summary or context, followed by the details or requests. Use polite and humble language, and avoid sounding too direct or demanding.

An important tip when writing Japanese emails is that each sentence typically starts on a new line. This is different from English, where sentences are grouped together into paragraphs.

Japanese	Romaji	English
先日の会議でご提案いただいた件について、追加で確認させていただきたい点がございます。 お手数をおかけいたしますが、ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。	Senjitsu no kaigi de go-teian itadaita ken ni tsuite, tsuika de kakunin sasete itadakitai ten ga gozaimasu. Otesuu o okake itashimasu ga, go-kakunin no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	Regarding the matter you proposed in the previous meeting, there are some additional points I would like to confirm. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I would appreciate your confirmation.

4. Conclusion and Closing

The closing phrases in a Japanese email should match the tone and content of your message while showing proper politeness and respect. Here are some effective closing phrases you can use:

Japanese Phrase	Romaji	English Meaning
何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。	Nanitozo yoroshiku onegai moushiagemasu.	I humbly ask for your kind cooperation.
引き続きよろしくお願いいたします。	Hikitsuzuki yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	Thank you for your continued support.
ご検討のほどよろしくお願いいたします。	Go kentou no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	I appreciate your kind consideration.
お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、よろしくお願いいたします。	Oisogashii tokoro osore irimasu ga, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.	Sorry to trouble you when busy, but thank you in advance.
失礼いたします。	Shitsurei itashimasu.	Excuse me (used to close politely).

Tip: While ご返信お待ちしております (Gohenjin omachi shite orimasu), meaning “I look forward to your reply” is very polite, it can sometimes feel like you are putting pressure on the recipient to respond quickly. Because of this nuance, it’s often better to use more neutral closing phrases in formal Japanese business emails.

Using Keigo in Japanese Business Emails

Depending on the type of relationship of business relationship you are writing to, there are 2 types of language forms.

The first form is 尊敬語 (Sonkeigo), which is the honorific language. This form conveys courtesy and respect for the person you are writing to. This form can be used not only to your listeners but also to a third person as well. The only difference is from the polite form. Keep in mind that this form is usually too formal, and instead, the humble form is used more often.

As for the second form, it would be 謙譲語 (kenjougo), which means humble form. This form is used when you want to show your respect to the person you are writing to for your actions by humbling yourself.

This step is very important as you would need to show your respect to the recipient. Thus, you would need to be very careful about which language forms to use.

If the two parties already have a close relationship, they can both leave some parts out. However, a word of caution that this would make the email less formal and more casual.

Vocabulary Business Japanese Vocabulary

Here is some vocabulary for you to help you in writing your own Japanese business email!

Dear: 拝啓・はいけい・Haikei
Subject: 件名・けんめい・Kenmei
Sender: 差出人・さしだしにん・Sashidashinin
Address: 宛先・あてさき・Atesaki
Urgent: 至急・しきゅう・Shikyuu
Notice: 通知・つうち・Tsuuchi
To whom it may concern:  ご担当者様・ごたんとうしゃさま・Gotantoushasama
Best Wishes: 敬具・けいぐ・Keigu
Signature: 署名・しょめい・Shomei

Tips for Writing Japanese Business Email

• Japanese business emails are usually more structured as compared to those from Western countries.
• It is important to leave a line between each new topic.
• When you are sending the same email to multiple people in the company, please make sure that you rank the names in accordance with their rank in the company

Business Japanese Email Template

Now that you have learned about Japanese emails, let’s look at a few examples!

1. Email templates for following up

You’ve sent important documents or materials to a client or colleague and haven’t received a response. It’s common practice in Japan to send a polite follow-up email. Below is a professional template you can use to follow up and kindly ask for confirmation regarding the materials you sent.

Japanese:

件名：資料ご確認のお願い（ABC株式会社・田中）

株式会社DEF
営業部　山田様

いつもお世話になっております。
ABC株式会社の田中と申します。

先日お送りいたしました資料について、ご確認いただけましたでしょうか。
お忙しいところ恐縮ではございますが、内容に問題がないかご確認いただけますと幸いです。

ご不明な点やご質問等ございましたら、どうぞお気軽にご連絡ください。
何卒よろしくお願いいたします。

失礼いたします。

ABC株式会社
田中太郎
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

English:

Subject: Request for Material Confirmation (ABC Corp. – Tanaka)

Mr./Ms. Yamada, Sales Department, DEF Corporation

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
My name is Tanaka from ABC Corporation.

I’m following up regarding the materials I sent the other day.
I apologize for troubling you while you’re busy, but I would be grateful if you could kindly confirm there are no issues with the content.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Taro Tanaka
ABC Corporation
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

2. Email templates for apologizing

Here’s a simple template you can use to apologize for the delay and resend your documents professionally.

Japanese:

件名：資料送付のご連絡とお詫び（ABC株式会社・田中）

株式会社DEF
営業部　山田様

いつもお世話になっております。
ABC株式会社の田中と申します。

資料の送付が遅くなり、誠に申し訳ございませんでした。
本日、改めて資料を添付させていただきますので、ご確認いただけますと幸いです。

お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、ご確認のほどよろしくお願いいたします。
ご不明な点がございましたら、どうぞお気軽にご連絡ください。

何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。

失礼いたします。

ABC株式会社
田中太郎
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

English:

Subject: Apology and Notice of Material Submission (ABC Corp. – Tanaka)

Mr./Ms. Yamada, Sales Department, DEF Corporation

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
My name is Tanaka from ABC Corporation.

I sincerely apologize for the delay in sending the materials.
I am resending the materials today and would appreciate it if you could kindly review them.

I apologize for troubling you while you are busy, but I would be grateful for your confirmation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.

Sincerely,

Taro Tanaka
ABC Corporation
tanaka@abc.co.jp
03-1234-5678

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Want to land a job in Japan? Don’t forget to read our guide on:

• How to Work in Japan in This Economy
• How to Write Rirekisho (Japanese Resume): Free PDF Template
• Common Japanese Job Interview Questions You Need to Master
• Ultimate Guide to Job Hunting in Japan

FAQ

What are the key features of a Japanese business email?

Japanese business emails are typically formal and polite. They use honorific language (keigo), clear structure, and often start with seasonal greetings or expressions of gratitude. Proper etiquette and humility are important to maintain respect.

How long should a Japanese business email be?

Keep it concise but polite. Avoid overly long emails; focus on clarity and respect.

How do I address a Japanese business person in an email?

Address the recipient with their family name + 様 (sama), which is a very polite honorific.