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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”.

Casual	Formal	Keigo
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.

English	Regular	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.

English	Regular	Honorofic 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.

English	Regular	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.

English	Honorific 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.

English	Honorific Japanese	Romaji
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.

English	Casual Japanese	Keigo 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.

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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)
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.

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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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?

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!

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

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

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?

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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”	Example	English 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.

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.

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 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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Besides its high-tech cities, rich traditions, and delicious food, Japan’s four seasons are equally unmatched and deserve as much attention as matcha and sakura blossoms. There’s the crisp, colorful air of autumn during momiji (autumn leaves) season, the hot and humid summer days perfect for the beach, and everything in between. What better way to show your appreciation for them than by talking about the weather in Japanese?

Just like anywhere else, weather talk is a classic icebreaker. It’s simple, useful, and part of everyday conversation. But how do you describe a sweltering summer, a dry winter, or the brief, magical bloom of the sakura?

In this guide, we’ll go through all the different ways to talk about the weather in Japanese, from daily temperatures to seasonal fluctuations.

Let’s start with the basics: common Japanese words for talking about the weather. Just like in English, in Japan we describe the weather using elements like temperature, the sky, clouds, sun, rain, and more. Here are some essential words to get you started.

Basic weather elements

English	Furigana	Kanji	Romaji
Weather	てんき	天気	tenki
Sun	たいよう	太陽	taiyou
Cloud	くも	雲	kumo
Rain	あめ	雨	ame
Snow	ゆき	雪	yuki
Fog	きり	霧	kiri
Thunderstorm	かみなり	雷	kaminari
Snowstorm	ふぶき	吹雪	fubuki
Wind	かぜ	風	kaze

Once you go beyond the basics, Japanese has a rich vocabulary of seasonal and poetic weather words. Many of these are hard (or impossible) to translate directly into English, because they carry nuance and seasonal imagery.

Here’s a list of more advanced and “untranslatable” Japanese weather-related words:

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji
Sunshine	日照	にっしょう	nisshou
Drought	日照り	ひでり	hideri
Clear skies	晴天	せいてん	seiten
Sunbeam / sunlight	光跡	こうせき	kouseki
Moon	月	つき	tsuki
Moonlight	月明かり	つきあかり	tsukiakari
Autumn shower rain	時雨	しぐれ	shigure
Early summer rain	五月雨	さみだれ	samidare
Fresh greenery (spring)	新緑	しんりょく	shinryoku
Spring breeze	春風	はるかぜ	harukaze
Autumn breeze	秋風	あきかぜ	akikaze

Basic weather conditions

So far, we’ve listed basic nouns, but how do you describe the intensity or manner of the weather, like heavy rain, strong wind, or pouring snow? The adjectives below are used to describe these conditions.

English	Furigana	Kanji	Romaji
Sunny	はれ	晴れ	hare
Cloudy	くもり	曇り	kumori
Hot	あつい	暑い	atsui
Cold	さむい	寒い	samui
Humid	じめじめ	—	jimejime
Hot and humid	むしあつい	蒸し暑い	mushiatsui
Dry	からから	—	karakara
Windy	かぜがつよい	風が強い	kaze ga tsuyoi
Chilly	すずしい	涼しい	suzushii
Freezing	こおりつく	凍り付く	kooritsuku
Stormy	あらしの	嵐の	arashi no
Foggy	きりのかかる	霧のかかる	kiri no kakaru
Snowy	ゆきふる	雪降る	yuki furu
Overcast	どんよりしている	—	don yori shite iru
Mild	ほどよい	—	hodoyoi
Freezing cold (very)	さむさきびしい	寒さ厳しい	samusa kibishii

In Japanese, to describe the intensity or nature of the weather, you usually combine an adjective with a weather noun. The adjective describes how the weather feels, while the noun tells you what kind of weather it is.

Examples:

強い風
Tsuyoi kaze
Strong wind

大雨
Ooame
Heavy rain

Some adjectives are standalone (like 大雨 or 吹雪) and act as nouns themselves, while others use い-adjectives or な-adjectives directly before the noun:

暑い日
Atsui hi
Hot day

湿った空気
Shimetta kuuki
Humid air

Now that we’ve covered some common weather vocabulary and how to pair adjectives with nouns, let’s move on to temperature and seasons! If you want a deeper dive, we have a dedicated blog about describing Japan’s seasons. Be sure to check that out for more details.

English	Furigana	Kanji	Romaji
Temperature	きおん	気温	Kion
Temperature	おんど	温度	Ondo
Humidity	しつど	湿度	Shitsudo
Four seasons	しき	四季	Shiki
Rainy season	つゆ	梅雨	Tsuyu
Dry season	かんき	乾季	Kanki
Spring	はる	春	haru
Summer	なつ	夏	natsu
Autumn	あき	秋	aki
Winter	ふゆ	冬	fuyu
Early Spring	はるはじめ	春始め	haru hajime
Late Summer	なつおわり	夏終わり	natsu owari
Late Autumn	あきおわり	秋終わり	aki owari
Early Winter	ふゆはじめ	冬始め	fuyu hajime

Although Japan is officially a four-season country (shiki), you might notice that we’ve included two additional “seasons”: tsuyu (the rainy season) and kanki (the dry season).

Tsuyu usually occurs from early June to mid-July, bringing frequent rain and high humidity to most of the country (except Hokkaido). On the other hand, kanki, or the dry season, refers to periods with clear, crisp air, often in winter or early spring, when the skies are bright and the humidity is low. While these aren’t official seasons like spring or autumn, the weather patterns create the feeling of “extra” seasons.

Note: If you notice that there were two words for temperature in Japanese, 気温 (kion) and 温度 (ondo), it is not a coincidence. Kion is used to describe only the temperature of the air, while anything, including water temperature or the temperature of something you touch, can be ondo.

Key phrases used to describe the weather in general

Now that you’ve got the basics and all the essential weather vocabulary down, it’s time to put them to use! Let’s go through common phrases and questions you’ll hear, or want to ask, when talking about the weather in Japan.

Let’s start with the questions first! They are often a great way to get to know someone or open up to a conversation.

今日の天気はどうですか。

Kyou no tenki wa dou desu ka.

How’s the weather today?

気温は何度ですか。

Kion wa nan-do desu ka.

What is the temperature?

明日は雨が降りますか？
Ashita wa ame ga furimasu ka?
Will it rain tomorrow?

暑い天気は好きですか？
Atsui tenki wa suki desu ka?
Do you like hot weather?

外は風が強いですか？
Soto wa kaze ga tsuyoi desu ka?
Is it windy outside?

ここはよく雪が降りますか？
Koko wa yoku yuki ga furimasu ka?
Does it snow often?

Now, let’s also make matching answers using the same structure, so you can answer naturally in conversations.

はい、ここはよくあめがふります。
Hai, koko wa yoku ame ga furimasu.
Yes, it rains here often.

いいえ、東京では雪はあまり降りません。
Iie, Toukyoudewa yuki wa amari furimasen.
No, it doesn’t snow much in Tokyo.

はい、この地域では風がよく強く吹きます。
Hai, kono chiiki dewa kaze ga yoku tsuyoku fukimasu.
Yes, it often gets very windy in this area.

はい、北海道では冬に雪がたくさん降ります。
Hai, Hokkaidou dewa fuyu ni yuki ga takusan furimasu.
Yes, it snows a lot in Hokkaido in winter.

いいえ、この町では夏に雨はあまり降りません。
Iie, kono machi dewa natsu ni ame wa amari furimasen.
No, it doesn’t rain much here in summer.

Talking about hot weather in Japanese

We’ve already covered the general phrases and common patterns for talking about the weather in Japan, but now let’s look at some examples for when the season is dry or hot. One thing to note: in Japan, there’s a unique word called mushiatsui. This word combines “hot” and “humid” and is used to describe that heavy, sticky feeling typical of Japanese summers. It’s a word you’ll hear often during the hotter months, especially when the air feels thick and muggy.

Let’s out some vocabuulary first before moving on to phrases!

English Meaning	Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji
Summer day (over 25°C)	夏日	なつび	natsubi
Midsummer day (over 30°C)	真夏日	まなつび	manatsubi
Extremely hot day (over 35°C)	猛暑日	もうしょび	mōshobi
Heat / hot weather	暑さ	あつさ	atsusa
Extreme heat	猛暑	もうしょ	mousho
Heat wave	熱波	ねっぱ	neppa
Humidity	湿気	しっけ	shikke
Hot and humid / muggy	蒸し暑い	むしあつい	mushiatsui
Rainy season (June–July)	梅雨	つゆ	tsuyu
Seasonal rain (early summer)	五月雨	さみだれ	samidare
Heavy rain (common in summer)	豪雨	ごうう	gou
Passing shower	通り雨	とおりあめ	tooriame
Sun shower (rain while sunny)	天気雨	てんきあめ	tenkiame
Summer storm	夏の嵐	なつのあらし	natsu no arashi
Evening cool breeze (relief from heat)	夕涼み	ゆうすずみ	yūsuzumi
First summer wind	春一番	はるいちばん	haru ichiban
Clear summer sky	夏空	なつぞら	natsuzora
Scorching sunlight	炎天下	えんてんか	entenka
Summer haze	夏霞	なつがすみ	natsugasumi
Summer heat lingering into autumn	残暑	ざんしょ	zansho

Phrases to talk about summer and hot weather in Japan

今日はとても暑いですね。
Kyou wa totemo atsui desu ne.
It’s really hot today, isn’t it?

夏は蒸し暑いです。
Natsu wa mushiatsui desu.
Summer is hot and humid.

外に出ると暑くてたまりません。
Soto ni deru to atsukute tamarimasen.
It’s unbearably hot outside.

冷たい飲み物が欲しいです。
Tsumetai nomimono ga hoshii desu.
I want a cold drink.

今日は真夏日です。
Kyou wa manatsubi desu.
Today is a midsummer (very hot) day.

Talking about cold weather in Japanese

winter fashion vocabulary in japanese infographic

Just as Japan has unique ways to describe its hot, humid summers, there are plenty of expressions for cold weather, too. How do you describe crisp winter mornings to chilly evenings in the mountains? Knowing these terms not only helps you describe the weather accurately but also makes it easier to connect with locals during the colder months. Let’s check out some cold and winter-related vocabulary first before moving on to example phrases.

English Meaning	Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji
Winter day (below 0°C at night)	冬日	ふゆび	fuyubi
Midwinter	真冬	まふゆ	mafuyu
Cold	寒い	さむい	samuikan
Cold wave	寒波	かんぱ	kanpa
Frost	霜	しも	shimo
White frost (heavy frost)	白霜	しらしも	shirashimo
Ice	氷	こおり	kōri
Frozen / freezing	凍る	こおる	kooru
Icicle	氷柱	つらら	tsurara
Heavy snow	大雪	おおゆき	ooyuki
Snowstorm / blizzard	吹雪	ふぶき	fubuki
Fierce blizzard	猛吹雪	もうふぶき	moofubuki
Powder snow	粉雪	こなゆき	konayuki
Wet snow / sleet	霙	みぞれ	mizore
Snow melting in early spring	雪解け	ゆきどけ	yukidoke
Frozen ground	凍土	とうど	toudo
Black ice (icy road)	路面凍結	ろめんとうけつ	romen tōketsu
Hail	雹	ひょう	hyou
Small hail / ice pellets	霰	あられ	arare
Cold winter wind	寒風	かんぷう	kanpuu
Strong north wind (winter wind)	木枯らし	こがらし	kogarashi
Clear, crisp winter sky	冬晴れ	ふゆばれ	fuyubare

Phrases to talk about winter and cold weather in Japanese

今日はとても寒いですね。
Kyou wa totemo samui desu ne.
It’s really cold today, isn’t it?

冬は雪がよく降ります。
Fuyu wa yuki ga yoku furimasu.
It snows a lot in winter.

外は凍えるように寒いです。
Soto wa kogoeru you ni samui desu.
It’s freezing outside.

今日は真冬日です。
Kyou wa shintoubi desu.
Today is a bitterly cold winter day.

最近は寒くなってきる。
Saikin wa samukunatte kuru.
It’s been getting colder these days.

How to understand the weather forecast report in Japan

In real-life situations, whether you’re visiting Japan for a few days (or weeks, who knows?) or planning to settle here indefinitely, one of the most important things beyond just talking about the weather is actually understanding the weather.

In the previous section, we covered basic weather elements, like ondo (温度, temperature), shitsudo (湿度, humidity), and more. But reading a weather forecast app or listening to the news is another challenge entirely. You’ll notice that forecasts are often packed with kanji and sometimes include more advanced vocabulary. It may take a little time to get the hang of it, but it’s definitely worth learning. Check out some of the key terms below to help you navigate Japanese weather forecasts.

Weather forecast vocabulary

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji
Typhoon	台風	たいふう	taifuu
Temperature	温度	おんど	ondo
Minimum temperature	最低気温	さいていきおん	saitei kion
Maximum temperature	最高気温	さいこうきおん	saikō kion
Atmospheric pressure	気圧	きあつ	kiatsu
Low pressure	低気圧	ていきあつ	teiatsu
High pressure	高気圧	こうきあつ	koukiiatsu
Weather front	前線	ぜんせん	zensen
Seasonal rain front	梅雨前線	ばいうぜんせん	baiu zensen
Start of rainy season	梅雨入り	つゆいり	tsuyu iri
Ocean waves	波浪	はろう	harou
Flood	洪水	こうずい	kouzui
Emergency warning	非常警報	ひじょうけいほう	hijou keihou
Evacuation advisory	避難勧告	ひなんかんこく	hinan kankoku
Blizzard / Snowstorm	吹雪	ふぶき	fubuki
Snowfall amount	降雪量	こうせつりょう	kousetsu ryou
Ice / Frozen conditions	氷	こおり	koori
Advisory	注意報	ちゅういほう	chuiihou
Warning	警報	けいほう	keihou

Common phrases you will hear on a weather forecast

Announcements on Japanese television, the weather forecasts can sound quite different from everyday Japanese. For one, weather anchors often use more complex vocabulary, sometimes including keigo (polite or honorific language) or specialized terms that go beyond common words like taifuu (typhoon) or ondo (temperature). Understanding these terms can take a little practice, but it’s a great way to follow the news like a local and get more precise information about the weather.

今日の東京は晴れ時々曇りです。
Kyou no Toukyou wa hare tokidoki kumori desu.
Today in Tokyo, it will be sunny with occasional clouds.

明日は雨が降る予想です。傘をお忘れなく。
Ashita wa ame ga furu yosou desu. Kasa o owasurenaku.
Rain is expected tomorrow. Don’t forget your umbrella.

北海道では雪が降る見込みです。
Hokkaidou de wa yuki ga furu mikomi desu.
Snow is expected in Hokkaido.

最高気温は25度、最低気温は18度です。
Saikou kion wa nijuu go-do, saitei kion wa juu-hachi-do desu.
The maximum temperature will be 25°C, and the minimum will be 18°C.

梅雨前線の影響で、九州では雨が続くでしょう。
Baiu zensen no eikyou de, Kyuushuu de wa ame ga tsuzuku deshou.
Due to the seasonal rain front, rain will continue in Kyushu.

台風7号が接近中です。海岸付近では注意が必要です。
Taifuunana-gou ga sekkin-chū desu. Kaigan fukin de wa chūi ga hitsuyou desu。
Typhoon No. 7 is approaching. Caution is needed near the coast.

明日の湿度は高く、蒸し暑くなるでしょう。
Ashita no shitsudo wa takaku, mushiatsuku naru deshou.
Humidity will be high tomorrow, making it feel hot and muggy.

今日の午後は雷雨の可能性があります。
Kyou　no gogo wa raiu no kanōsei ga arimasu.
There is a chance of a thunderstorm this afternoon.

山沿いでは気温が低く、霜に注意してください。
Yamazoi de wa kion ga hikuku, shimo ni chuui shite kudasai.
Temperatures will be low in the mountains, so watch out for frost.

Notice how many weather forecast statements use the word でしょう (deshou). Normally, in everyday conversation, でしょう can mean something like “isn’t that right?” or “don’t you think?” But in a weather forecast, it takes on a slightly different role.

In Japanese forecasts, でしょう is used to soften statements and make them sound predictive rather than absolute. It’s a way for the announcer to say something is expected or likely, without stating it as a 100% certainty. In English, it’s similar to phrases like “probably,” “likely,” or “expected to.”

Tips to improve weather talk in Japanese

In Japan, where some people may be more private than in other countries, talking about the weather is a safe and polite way to break the ice. It’s neutral, yet engaging enough to start a conversation. But what if you find yourself working at a Japanese company or suddenly in the middle of a group discussion about the next summer heat wave? How can you improve your weather conversation skills? Here are some tips:

1. Practice speaking with native speakers

There’s no better way to improve your weather talk than practicing with native speakers. You could chat with Japanese friends, join language exchange groups, or strike up conversations with locals during your travels.

If you don’t have the chance to meet people in Japan, consider practicing with native Japanese teachers at Coto Academy. Our supportive instructors create a comfortable environment, and with classes in Yokohama and Tokyo, the small class sizes give you plenty of opportunities to practice conversation. We focus on practical Japanese for everyday life, so you can build confidence and start speaking right away!

2. Listen to weather forecasts

Listening to Japanese weather forecasts is a great way to get familiar with vocabulary and expressions. Tune in to radio broadcasts, watch TV weather reports, or follow online updates. Pay attention to how meteorologists describe conditions, temperature changes, and uncertainties in the forecast, then try to use similar phrases in your own conversations.

This practice also improves your comprehension skills, helping you quickly understand weather-related information.

3. Download a Japanese Weather App

If you don’t have time to listen to forecasts regularly, try a Japanese weather app. We recommend Yahoo!Tenki or Tenki.jp. These apps provide detailed weather information – not just temperature, but also humidity, wind speed, chance of rain, and more.

Using an app lets you practice reading and understanding Japanese weather terms daily, even on the go! Over time, you will get used to reading each section and even learn new kanji along the way.

Conclusion: Learn to Talk About the Weather (and Beyond!) with Lessons at Coto Academy

Now that you’ve learned the basics of talking about the weather in Japanese, why stop there? There are plenty of other essential skills to master, like introducing yourself or discussing a specific topic in conversation.

If you want to build confidence and start speaking Japanese, consider joining conversation-focused Japanese lessons at Coto Academy. As a top-rated school with campuses in Tokyo and Yokohama, we offer fun and flexible lessons designed around practical, everyday conversation. You’ll learn Japanese that you can use immediately outside the classroom.

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!

Why join Coto Academy?

Over 60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
Small classroom of only up to 8 students for personalized support
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FAQ

How would you describe the weather in Japan?

Use basic words like hare (sunny), ame (rain), yuki (snow), and kumori (cloudy) to describe Japan’s weather.

How do I describe the weather?

Start with the current condition, temperature, or season, e.g., “Kyō wa atsui desu” (It’s hot today).

How is the weather in Japan in Japanese?

You can say, Nihon no tenki wa dou desu ka? (日本の天気はどうですか？) to ask about Japan’s weather.

How do you express temperature in Japanese?

Use ondo (温度) followed by the number and “do” (度), e.g., Saikou kion wa 25-do desu (The high is 25°C).

What’s the Japanese word for humid?

Mushiatsui (蒸し暑い) describes hot and humid weather.

How do you talk about rainy season in Japanese?

Use tsuyu (梅雨) for the rainy season and tsuyu iri (梅雨入り) for its start.

If you live long enough in Japan, you might notice that Japanese work culture is different from its Western counterparts, such as the U.S. or European countries. Before you start rushing to find a job here, being aware of specific cultural differences may help you adjust or even rethink if working here is right for you. The good news is that Japan is hiring foreigners on a large scale, allowing for vast work opportunities.

The work culture in Japan is different in regard to employee-employer relationships, dress codes, colleagues’ behavior, and ethics at Japanese workplaces. Essentially, aspects of traditional Japanese culture persisted into the modern working environment, resulting in distinct expectations and norms from the West. As a result, it can be difficult for a foreigner to understand many of these social norms since they are not always visually observable and can be hidden in layers of context.

In this long guide, we will dive into the complex Japanese work culture and what to expect when you join a company here.

Japanese Work Culture: A Deeper Look

At the surface level, we can already see tons of differences between the work culture in Japan and other countries. However, that is only what is directly observable, as there is a lot of cultural context behind what is visible that contributes to Japan’s unique working environment. Let’s explore some of these cultural phenomena further, shall we?

Collectivism Trumps Individualism

Japanese culture has long valued collectivism, shaped by history and geography. The cooperative nature of rice cultivation, frequent natural disasters, and periods of internal conflict all reinforced the idea that survival depended on group effort. Over time, this created a society that prioritizes cooperation, loyalty, and mutual responsibility.

This collectivist spirit shows up in the workplace through rules, formalities, and rituals that ensure smooth relationships. From the way one enters an interview to the etiquette of exchanging business cards, actions signal trustworthiness and good intentions toward the group. Even modern Japanese combat sports preserve this spirit: athletes bow before entering the ring and step in with the left leg first, a tradition rooted in samurai etiquette, where stepping with the sword-bearing side first could be seen as aggressive.

Collectivism, however, comes with a need for order. If everyone must work together, then there must also be clear lines of authority, leading directly to Japan’s strong emphasis on hierarchy.

Deeply Rooted Hierarchy

Japanese society has always been hierarchical, a trait reinforced during the feudal era and formalized through Confucian values that stressed respect for elders, teachers, and superiors. In modern times, this translates into the workplace, where deference to authority is a defining feature. Employees respect their bosses, managers, and even older colleagues (senpai), while outside of work, this extends to parents and grandparents.

Hierarchy is baked into every facet of Japanese culture, even the language. Keigo consists of honorific language used to elevate superiors, while humble forms lower the speaker in relation to others. In Japanese workplaces, this is the standard way of speaking.

Yet hierarchy is not an end in itself; it is a tool for maintaining the larger goal of harmony.

Harmony is likely at the core of Japanese cultural values. Collectivism and hierarchy both exist to maintain harmony and ensure cooperation, even at the cost of individual convenience. By promoting harmony, there will be greater social cohesion, allowing for greater cooperation and progress.

Consider Japanese schools, where both teachers and students clean classrooms after lunch. In less than 30 minutes, an entire school is spotless, no janitors required, because everyone contributes equally. This small ritual reflects a larger principle: harmony is achieved when everyone does their part without complaint.

Part of harmony is that everyone needs to do their part, and sometimes, without question, even if you need to compromise yourself. For example, you must follow every step of the established work process even if it will slow you down and reduce your productivity.

Where Japan places value on harmony, the West doesn’t seem to mind conflict since they believe it could result in solutions or innovations that would not have been considered had disagreements not arisen. This may be what leads to the inherent differences between Western and Japanese work culture.

Japanese Work Culture: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Work culture in Japan is almost that of legend, or rather infamy, where we hear that there is even a word for working yourself to death, known as karoshi (過労死). The general perception of the Japanese work environment is that it’s rigid, hierarchical, and unforgiving, with poor work-life balance. But how accurate is this perception, and how does that compare with Western work culture, such as the U.S.?

1. Strong Work Commitment

In Japan:

If there is a reputation that precedes the Japanese working population, it’s their strong work ethic. Punctuality and commitment to work are of utmost importance to Japanese work culture. Being on time means being at least 15 minutes early, and prioritizing work over family is an expectation. They start their day early and spend hours commuting. Working overtime is often a normal practice. In some sense, Japanese people view the workplace as their family. If a person works for long hours, then it is seen as a sign of love toward his or her family.

In the West:

In America, balancing work and life is given priority. About 72 percent of Americans consider work-life balance while looking for a job. Employees acknowledge that spending quality time with their loved ones is as essential as work. However, overtime and low work-life balance are pervasive issues in the U.S. Several surveys indicate that over 60% of Americans do not have a work-life balance. The surveys often cite working too many hours or working on vacation as reasons for the lack of balance. But how does Japan compare?

2. Workplace Formalities

In Japan:

In Japan, companies follow a quite strict formal dress code. Male employees wear charcoal grey, navy blue, or black suits along with a white shirt and subdued ties throughout the year. Female employees wear similar color blazers along with trousers, skirts, heels, and tied-up ponytails. Standing out or wearing bright colors is a slight no-no at the offices in Japan.

Overall, the work culture in Japan is more formal than in the US. Best practice is to use formal language and show greater respect to your boss and seniors (or senpai). An essential aspect of Japanese culture is treating anyone older, more experienced, or in a higher social position with the utmost respect, as they can impart their knowledge to you.

It was once normal to refrain from leaving the workplace before your boss or seniors, but this is largely being phased out. However, the pressure to not say ‘no’ to your seniors, especially to after-work drinking called nomikai (飲み会), is still rather prevalent. Even when drinking, it is essential to maintain proper manners to your boss and senior colleagues, such as serving them drinks before yourself.

In the West:

This contrasts with most companies in the West, like America, where there tends to be more flexibility as employees are free to wear casual attire at work. Mostly, suits are worn whenever there is a business meeting or presentation.

3. Generalists Over Specialists

In Japan:

Japanese workplaces focus on the group. During the hiring process, a lot of companies give less priority to skill sets and specialization. Instead, they want to evaluate the cultural fit of the candidates. This is because Japanese companies want employees that can perform well in a group for a good amount of time. They don’t have a firing culture. Employees work at companies for a very long period. In fact, Japan is known for its lifetime employment system.

In the West:

On the other hand, American companies look for candidates who have specialization as well as the right skills for the job. They follow a system of ‘structural individualism’ wherein the main focus is on the individual’s career. That’s why switching companies for better opportunities or strategic job hopping is a common practice in the US. However, this should not be mistaken for the absence of teamwork. Individual employees do participate in group projects from time to time.

4. Rigid Top-down Hierarchy in Japanese Companies

In Japan:

Employees must report to their seniors, inform the seniors about the latest developments, and consult seniors for work advice. Employees are not free to make decisions. They have to approve everything from their superiors, even the small things. This is called ho-ren-so (ほれんそう), which means “spinach” in the Japanese language, but is actually an abbreviation for:

報告 Hokoku (to report)
連絡 Renraku (to inform)
相談 Sodan (to consult)

In the West:

In contrast to this, American organizations tend to decentralize authority and decision-making. Every employee gets to make his or her decisions that could help the business grow. Of course, employees go to their seniors for professional advice now and then. Ultimately, this comes back to how Western-style organizations tend to hire specialists who already have the skills, whereas Japanese companies hire generalists whom they can train. This is what necessitates the hierarchy in Japanese companies that rely on seniors to train juniors. Since professionals who don’t need to be trained are often hired in Western organizations, they rely less on the company and are more willing to leave. As a result, Western companies tend to have a more individualistic atmosphere.

5. Risk Adversity

In Japan:

People have a conservative mindset in Japanese corporations. Employees avoid taking risks unless they are 100 percent sure about the outcomes. They usually go along with safer old ideas that are already tried and tested.

In the West:

On the flip side, Western businesses tend to take more risks and are much more open to trying something fresh. American employees don’t hesitate as much to take risks, even if they are not certain about the results. Americans are more likely to invest in disruptive startups, projects, and technologies. However, the drawback of taking more risks means that American companies might suffer more losses. Although America is often characterized as a land of risk-takers, many companies are adverse to risk. So, conservative sentiments towards risk are not uncommon in the United States either.

6. Close relationships with colleagues

In Japan:

Work culture in Japan is not just about working on and off. When employees are at work, they only work. However, once the work hours end, employees go out to socialize with one another. They usually hang out at karaoke or restaurants for nomikai, which is a Japanese word for a drinking party. With everyone seated around one big table, co-workers are expected to drink, share meals, and interact with each other. Nomikai has all kinds. It even exists outside the work circle in Japan. Joining such parties is considered socially appropriate. Still, they are completely optional, and anyone can skip them if they want.

In the West:

In America, there are no social norms for socializing or bonding after work. American employees are already familiar with their co-workers due to their informal working environment. Thus, they largely don’t need to set separate times to get to know one another. This gives them more space for their personal life.

7. Prioritizing harmony over conflict

Harmony is the cornerstone of Japan’s cultural values and is likely what contrasts Japanese work culture so sharply from the West. The Japanese way of communicating is quite indirect, where asking questions that seem to challenge a superior’s position can be considered rude. As a result, you will rarely see anyone raising their hands with queries in mind by the end of business meetings or presentations. Even if there are some misunderstandings, people may avoid asking any questions directly due to this stigma.

Meanwhile, in America, questions come and go anytime. There are no social barriers, and clearing doubts is a normal thing. The American work culture is more straightforward in these aspects. Americans feel that everything should be crystal clear and there are no misunderstandings.

The Darkest Side of Japanese Work Culture: Karoshi (過労死)

In Japan, karoshi (“death from overwork”) and karoujisatsu (suicide linked to overwork) aren’t just media buzzwords; they’re built into the country’s legal and compensation system. Each year, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) tallies recognized work-related cases of brain/heart disease and mental disorders (including suicides and attempts).

This is all linked to Japan having one of the highest rates of overtime in the world, with very few employees actually taking their paid time off (PTO). You often hear that employees feel guilty about taking time off or may even have their PTO requests rejected.

So, in fiscal 2024, authorities recognized 1,304 cases tied to overwork: 247 cases of cerebro-cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, heart attack) and 1,057 mental-health cases, including 89 suicides or suicide attempts. Recognition requires evidence (e.g., long hours, heavy workload, harassment), so these figures are best read as the documented tip of a larger iceberg, not the full burden.

Japan has tightened rules in the last decade. Under the 2019 Work Style Reform laws, overtime is, in principle, capped at 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year, with “special circumstances” ceilings of under 100 hours in any single month, under or equal to 80 hours per month on a multi-month average, and less than or equal to 720 hours/year. Enforcement has curbed some extremes, but results are mixed, especially in sectors with chronic labor shortages (e.g., logistics, healthcare).

Is there “karoshi” in the West?

There isn’t an exact legal counterpart in the U.S., but overwork-related harms absolutely exist. The U.S. tracks suicides occurring at the workplace (work may not be the exact cause) and also publishes occupation-specific suicide rates, which show consistently elevated risks in several fields, such as construction/extraction, arts/design/entertainment, and installation/maintenance/repair. These data indicate that job context matters for suicide risk, even if the U.S. doesn’t formally label cases as “death by overwork.”

Zooming out globally, the WHO/ILO estimates that working around 55 hours per week is associated with substantially higher risks of stroke and ischemic heart disease, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide, so the mechanism behind karoshi isn’t unique to Japan.

Picture displaying the daily Japanese work culture in a typical office with employees sitting at their desks — Image from Noahpinion

Common Business Etiquettes in Japanese Work Culture

Social interactions in Japanese work culture can be confusing. Japan has unique business manners and etiquette that differ from Western standards. To avoid cultural shock, it’s best if you know them firsthand. In Japan, there are quite a several do’s and don’ts that business professionals are required to keep in mind. Here’s a crisp list of the few most important etiquettes that you need to catch sight of.

1. Bowing to Clients Till The Elevator Door Closes

Whenever you have visiting clients at the office, it is expected to accompany them to the front door. If your office is in a high-rise building, then seeing off the visitors to the front door may seem too much. In that case, you should escort visitors to the elevator. Once they get on the elevator, you should bow till the gates close.

2. Removing Coats Before Entering the Office

In winter, you will see employees taking off their coats and folding them over their arms before entering the office buildings. They don’t do so inside building hallways because it might disturb other people.

3. Business Card Etiquette

Japanese business culture is very polite and respectful. Whenever there is an exchange of business cards during meetings, they are done gracefully like a ritual. The first person holds the card with both hands while facing the other person. Then he bows while offering the card, and the other party also bows the same way and accepts the card.

4. Seat Arrangement Based On Rank

During business conferences or meetings, members are seated as per their position in the company. Leaders or seniors with more expertise get front seats. A similar seating arrangement is used in other places such as colleges, trains, taxis, and so on.

5. Customer is the God

You may have heard multiple times how the customer is the ‘king’ in the market. However, in Japan, the customer is not just regarded as the king but as a ‘god’ as well. Employees greet customers with care whenever they come and go. Their happiness is the number one priority of every business. They are handled with proper respect, and offending them is out of the question.

For a deeper dive, read our ultimate guide to Japanese business etiquette.

Fact vs. Fiction of Japanese Work Culture

Work culture in Japan is far from perfect, and there are many common notions across the globe, but how much holds true?

Work Environment and Labor Regulations In Japan

Despite the amount of overtime reported by the nation, labor law is quite strong and protects employees very well. It is for this reason that companies have a difficult time firing people in Japan. Additionally, labor law also takes precedence over any legally binding employee contract, but there are limitations. You should be careful of burakku kigyou (ブラック企業) or black companies, which are infamous for trapping employees in exploitative contracts.

If you are having any issues regarding work, Japan has a variety of support services available. One place to contact or visit is FRESC, which is a government organization that can assist with employment, unemployment, legal issues, etc., for foreigners living in Japan. They have an office in Shinjuku and usually have staff who can speak English. Hellowork is more available across Japan, but generally only has Japanese-speaking staff.

However, labor regulations are making efforts to change. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is starting a bold initiative to implement a four-day workweek for over 160,000 public employees based on a new model to have only 80% work hours but 100% pay, aiming to maintain productivity while reducing burnout and supporting family life. Prime Minister Kishida and Governor Koike emphasize flexibility, especially for women balancing careers and childcare. Regional peers like Miyagi Prefecture are also adopting variants of this scheme by fiscal 2026.

Times Are Changing For Work Culture In Japan

Total annual work hours per regular worker from Wikipedia

According to the graph above, based on data from the Japan Institute for Labor Policy, working hours per regular employee have been decreasing steadily over time. The graph clearly shows Japan has been making progress towards greater work-life balance. In addition to these internally motivated shifts, external forces are sparking change as well.
Amidst the influx of foreigners coming to work and offsetting the aging population, Japanese companies have already started embracing the change that comes with them. Aspects of traditional Japanese work culture that are difficult for foreigners to adjust to are shifting. Even the younger Japanese population is driving change in similar ways to foreigners since they are more likely to change companies in their careers and expect greater work-life balance. Japanese companies hiring lots of foreigners tend to be more flexible with PTO, less rigid about hierarchies, and do not expect employees to stick around for life.

Although this may be the case with certain Japanese companies, Japan is a nation that likes to preserve traditions and is adverse to change. So, you can expect many companies may still be very conservative in certain expectations. However, as a foreigner, they likely won’t expect you to know every minute detail of proper Japanese manners, so I wouldn’t sweat over it.

Most Common Jobs For Foreigners In Japan

The Japanese job market is vast and more open to foreigners than ever before. While many companies do not accept foreign employees, the number that do is increasing year by year, according to the MHLW. This is great news for the increasing number of foreign job seekers entering the Japanese workforce every year. But most foreigners from the West tend to work in certain industries. We’ll be covering a few positions, but for the full list of popular jobs for foreigners in Japan, head to this article.

Infographic showing employment of American workers in Japan

1. English Teacher

English teaching is the most common form of employment for many foreigners, or rather many foreigners get trapped in English teaching. Most can land a job teaching at cram schools and educational institutions by having a bachelor’s or associate’s degree of any kind. Many roles do not require any teaching certificates, so the barrier to entry is not too high. Based on the graph above, most Americans by far land jobs in the education sector, usually as English Teachers. If you enjoy and have a passion for teaching, Japan is one of the best places for employment. This is because the government is making drastic efforts to improve English literacy, so they are turning to foreigners to help bridge this gap.

2. IT Professional

If you have a background in development, design, data, or IT of any kind, Japan is fertile ground for employment. Currently, there is a huge demand for professionals with IT skills, and Japanese abilities are oftentimes not necessary. On average, a tech professional or software engineer usually earns around ¥7.7 million per year.

3. Translator or Interpreter

It’s no surprise that translation or interpreter-related roles are also highly valued, but these roles are rather limited in comparison to the others mentioned. The job of a translator is pretty versatile in Japan. Translators are required not only for English to Japanese translations but in many other languages as well. The gaming industry is one of the biggest sectors needing translators to overcome the language barrier. A good number of translators also do freelance assignments for brands, publishing houses, etc. The salary of a translator can vary depending on the skill level. Usually, the average translator makes about ¥3 million in a year.

4. Engineer

In the utopia of advanced technology, Japan undoubtedly stands as a key player. From manufacturing world-class automobiles to electronics, there’s so much to this country. It’s thriving and full of prospects. Companies dealing in cars or electronic items regularly have openings for engineers with excellent pay. An average engineer receives a salary of ¥7 million per year. Check out some of the best IT job sites in Japan.

Bridge the culture gap by learning Japanese at Coto Academy!

Japanese work culture values harmony, loyalty, and discipline, while Western workplaces focus on individuality and innovation. Both have strengths and weaknesses, but to succeed in Japan, mastering business Japanese and etiquette is essential—JLPT alone won’t get you far.

That’s where Coto Academy comes in. With small classes, a strong focus on practical conversational skills, and professional teachers, Coto specializes in helping students already working in Japan. Our business Japanese courses go beyond grammar, teaching the language, manners, and communication skills needed to succeed in Japanese companies.

If you’re serious about your career in Japan, Coto Academy is the best place to sharpen your Japanese and fit seamlessly into the workplace.

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FAQ

What are the similarities between workplaces in Japan and America?

Japan and America have a couple of similarities as well. Both countries have very long workweeks. Japanese people are extremely hardworking and working overtime is not something strange to them. There is even an odd phenomenon known as karoshi, where people die due to overwork. Similarly, Americans spend most of their time at work and face similar experiences.

In both countries, employees prefer to take shorter vacations or time off from work. Japanese employees feel guilty when they don’t work. Just like that, most American employees stay devoted to their jobs.

How to overcome cultural differences while working in Japan?

Working in Japan can be an overwhelming experience. The cultural shock is quite strong when you first arrive. But it’s only a matter of time. You need to be patient, observant, and try your best in meeting the expectations. Make friends because having good companions will help you in your lonely moments. Keep navigating your way; you will eventually find yourself overcoming the cultural barrier.

Do Japanese companies hesitate to offer jobs to foreigners?

Some Japanese companies hesitate to offer jobs to foreigners. That is primarily because there is a vast difference between Japanese work culture and American or European work culture. They know very well that fitting into the Japanese environment will take time. Thus, Japanese companies prefer to recruit either local candidates or foreigners who are already stationed in Japan.

What are the perks of working in Japan?

There are several mandatory benefits provided to employees in Japan. These include:

Dietary assistance
Pensions (for old age, disability, and survivors)
Maternity leave up to 14 weeks
Paid leaves (at least 5 days a year)
Insurance and compensation

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You have probably heard that Japanese people are known to be polite, so it’s no surprise that they take saying “you’re welcome” as seriously as showing gratitude itself (almost!). Similar to how there are many ways to say thank you in Japanese, there are several ways to say you’re welcome as well.

As you will see, it is important in Japanese culture to always remain polite even when accepting gratitude from someone. Oftentimes, politeness would mean to stay humble and modest by undermining the impact of your goodwill or even completely denying that you are owed any gratitude.

So, today we’ll cover 10 different ways in which you can say “you’re welcome!” in Japanese for both casual and formal situations.

Watch Our Video on You’re Welcome in Japanese!

Learn a few ways to say “you’re welcome” in Japanese with our short crash course video.

1. Basic Way to Say “You’re Welcome!” in Japanese: Dou Itashimashite

WAYS TO SAY YOURE WELCOME IN JAPANESE INFOGRAPHIC

Let’s start with the most common way people learn to say “you’re welcome!” in Japanese, どういたしまして (dou itashimashite). More often than not, this is the first word that pops up when you look up “you’re welcome” in a Japanese dictionary.

Douitashimashite is a form of Japanese keigo, or the respectful language used for formal occasions or business settings. The phrase literally translates to “how did I do,” which acts as a humble way of saying I don’t deserve your gratitude. Breaking down the word:

Dou (どう) means how
Itashimashite (いたしまして) is the keigo form of suru (する) meaning to do

Originally, it was used to express humility and to deflect praise. In modern Japanese, however, it functions simply as a polite response to thanks, acknowledging the other person’s gratitude.

Pro tip: If you are having a hard time remembering, douitashimashite sounds similar to “Don’t touch my mustache” when said very quickly. Just try it! Even if they don’t sound too similar to you, this tip might still help you remember anyway!

Is “Dou itashimashite” used often?

So, douitashimashite is not used too often. In fact, the phrase is rarely used in casual conversations. Just like saying “you’re welcome”, it comes off rather formal and a bit rigid. It might sound out of place even in the workplace.

Depending on tone, it may feel like you’re “formally accepting” thanks, which can come across as distancing yourself from the other person. Because Japanese communication values modesty, people often avoid phrases that might sound like they’re putting themselves in the spotlight. So for these reasons, the Japanese tend to use other phrases instead.

Other Ways to Say You’re Welcome in Japanese

2. 恐縮でございます (Kyoushuku de gozaimasu)

The first of which would be “恐縮でございます (Kyoushuku de gozaimasu)“. It is one of the most formal ways to say “you’re welcome.” The word “恐縮 (kyoushuku)” refers to feeling obliged. The word “でございます (de gozaimasu),” on the other hand, is the keigo form of です or “to be.”

When put together, the phrase would refer to “I am obliged,” or so you would say in a formal situation when somebody thanks you.

3. お役にたってよかった (Oyaku ni tatte yokatta)

Moving on, we take a look at the phrase: お役に立ってよかった (oyaku ni tatte yokatta). “お役に立って (yaku ni tatte)” refers to being helpful or useful. By adding the honorific prefix “お (O)” to the front of the word, we can, in turn, make it sound more polite towards the other party.

“よかった (Yokatta)” can be translated to “I’m glad,” and can even be used alone as a casual way of saying “you’re welcome,” which we will discuss further below. So, combining the two, the phrase or expression means, “I am glad that I was of use to you.” This expression works well for work settings and can even be used casually when dropping the お (o) from 役にたって(yaku ni tatte).

4. こちらこそありがとうございます (Kochirakoso arigatou gozaimasu)

Last but not least, another phrase you can use is こちらこそ (kochira koso). “こちら (kochira)” refers to over here, but can also refer to me or myself. “こそ (koso),” in this context, can be used to emphasize the preceding word.

This term is widely used as a response to someone saying “thank you,” even though it does not really mean you’re welcome. The phrase is a polite way of saying “I should be thankful instead”. “

So combined, they mean, “Surely it should be me who should thank you.” This expression can often be used when someone thanks you for something, but you would also like to thank them back.

For example, you could be working together on a challenging project with your partner or your boss, and when they tell you, “Thank you for your hard work”, you can respond, こちらこそありがとうございます (it is I who should be thankful).

So, keep in mind, this phrase sits on the line between formal and casual. You can say it formally by adding arigatou gozaimasu or casually by just saying arigatou.

Saying “You’re Welcome!” in Casual Situations

Being a bit formal can be out of place in certain situations or even a little stiff. There are more casual expressions for when you should ease up a little and just respond naturally and casually.

5. いえいえ (Ie ie)

First up, let’s take a look at “いえいえ (ie ie).” When taken literally, the phrase itself means “no, no” in Japanese. This is typically used when someone is expressing their innermost gratitude towards you. However, all you wanted to tell them was something along the lines of “Nah, don’t mention it.”

This is a very popular and casual way to say “you’re welcome” in Japanese. It is still considered polite even among your colleagues and is a nice way of saying, “No, need to thank me”. You can also use this expression in combination with other phrases.

For example, you can say いえいえ、こちらこそありがとう (ieie kochirakoso arigatou), to say something like “no, no, I should thank you”.

6.とんでもない (Tondemo nai)

Next, we take a look at “とんでもない (tondemonai).” It is a phrase used to indicate that “it’s nothing” in a casual conversation. Usually, some Japanese people use this as an informal way of saying “you’re welcome” as well.

The literal translation of tondemo nai is “there is no way” or “there is no possibility”. But the implied meaning in conversation is “there is no need to thank me”.

You could even use it in conjunction with いえいえ(ie ie).

いえいえ、とんでもないです
Ie ie tondemo nai desu.
No no, it’s nothing.

7. よかった (Yokatta)

Next up, we have “よかった (yokatta)“. This phrase would usually be “I’m glad.” The term literally translates as “was good,” but when the phrase is used alone, it usually means “I’m glad.” So, when you want to use it as an alternative to “you’re welcome”, you can use it to say expressions such as “I’m glad I could help” or “I’m glad you liked it”. By using yokatta to follow up phrases such as 好きで (sukide) or 助けになれて(tasukeni narete), you can say the following:
好きで、よかった
Sukide yokatta
I’m glad you liked it.

助けになれて、よかった
Tasuke ni narete, yokatta
I’m glad I was able to help.

So, this is another great phrase that’s both casual and natural while not sounding too stiff. You can use yokkata in a variety of circumstances to express your happiness that the person you’re speaking to appreciates or is grateful for what you did or what you gave them.

8. 気にしないで (Ki ni shinaide)

Another word that’s occasionally used is “気にしないで (Kinishinaide).” The phrase means “no worries,” but can also be used in certain contexts to say “you’re welcome.”

For example, someone may go on to say something like “Oh my, thank you so much, is there anything I can do to repay you a favour?” in Japanese. In this case, you can simply use the word “気にしないで (Kinishinaide)” to tell them, “It’s okay, no worries.”

9. いえいえ、いつでも声かけて (Ie ie itsudemo koe kakete)

Lastly, we look at a phrase known as “いえいえ、いつでも声かけて (ie ie, itsu demo koe kakete)“. The phrase itself is composed of “いえいえ” and “いつでも声かけて”. Of which, the former we had covered in an earlier part of this section.

This uses the phrase we covered earlier, “いえいえ” plus “いつでも声かけて”.

Let’s take a look at the latter part, “いつでも声かけて.”

いつでも translates to anytime, and 声だけてmeans “please let me know”. So, the whole phrase means “I’m here for you if you need help” or “Let me know if you need help again.”

Adding the two together would make the phrase mean, “It’s fine. Let me know if you ever need help again!”

10. 大丈夫だよ (Daijoubu dayo)

You may have heard the term daijoubu as a way to say “it’s alright” or “it’s okay”. It can be used as a very casual way of saying you’re welcome. Saying “daijoubu dayo” in response to someone thanking you would be similar to saying “it’s okay, don’t worry about it”. It’s a very casual and friendly way of telling someone they don’t need to thank you, but it’s best used among friends and family.

11. 遠慮しないで (Enryo shinaide)

The word 遠慮 (enryo) means “restraint” or “holding back,” and しないで is the negative form of the verb suru (“to do”), meaning “don’t do.” Together, 遠慮しないで literally means “don’t hold back” or “don’t restrain yourself.”

Normally, the imperative form in Japanese can sound rude, especially in its negative form. However, in the case of 遠慮しないで (enryo shinaide), it works well as a way to say “you’re welcome.” Here, you’re essentially telling the other person, “Don’t hesitate to ask for help next time.” It’s commonly used to encourage someone to feel at ease, go ahead, or act freely without holding back.
If you want to use 遠慮しないで (enryo shinaide) in the context of responding to thanks, it can work as a casual way of saying “You’re welcome” with the nuance of “Don’t mention it” or “No need to be shy about it.”

助けてくれてありがとう！
Tasukete kurete arigatou!
Thank you for helping me!

遠慮しないで。
Enryo shinaide!
Don’t mention it!

Go beyond saying you’re welcome and speak Japanese confidently!

Just like in English, saying “you’re welcome” all the time sounds rather formal and stiff, so naturally you will use other words that express something similart. In Japanese, it’s no different! Try remembering some of the expressions above and using it next time someone says “Thank you”.

Of course, speaking Japanese fluently goes beyond memorizing phrases. Build your confidence and conversational skills by joining the fun, flexible lessons at Coto Academy! Our beginner course covers the essentials—from hiragana and katakana to grammar—so you can start speaking Japanese in just four weeks.

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to contact us!

FAQ

How do you say "you're welcome" in Japanese?

The most common and polite way is どういたしまして (dō itashimashite). For informal situations, いえいえ (iie iie) or とんでもない (tondemo nai) are often used.

What is the polite way to say "you're welcome" in Japanese?

Use どういたしまして.

What are some casual ways to say "you're welcome" in Japanese?

There are many casual ways of saying you’re welcome in Japanese. The most common include いえいえ (ie ie), とんでもない (tondemonai), or even 大丈夫だよ(daijoubudayo).

Are there regional variations in how to say "you're welcome" in Japanese?

You could use いえいえ or とんでもない.

Are there regional variations in how to say "you're welcome" in Japanese?

While these are the most common ways, regional variations or nuances may exist.

Do Japanese people often say どういたしまして (Dou itashimashite) to say you’re welcome?

Similar to saying “you’re welcome in English, it can come off a bit stiff or as if you deserve to be thanked. So, generally people will use other phrases to acknowledge someone’s gratitude without sounding so distant.

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Much like in any language exchange, the topic of “what are the swear words in your language?” inevitably comes up — and Japanese is no exception. While Japan is often imagined as an extremely polite country, with its keigo, strict business etiquette, and culture of respect, behind that veneer lies a rich and surprisingly fierce array of Japanese swear words, some of which can rival, or even surpass, English in intensity.

Japanese swear words are super fun to learn, especially if you’ve got a good basis of Japanese under your belt. It is one of the things you need to know them to avoid saying them, too. It’s rare for strangers to use Japanese curse words or slang casually. In fact, even if you’re friends with a Japanese person, you still need to be cautious about using a swear word, even if it’s mild.

That is to say, don’t really swear in public, or in general. Still, these are fun Japanese swear words to know, and we can’t blame you for wanting to learn. And it’s not like you can never say these. Around your friends, go for it, but with someone you don’t really know, maybe watch your tongue. Here, we will cover as many Japanese swear words as we can!

1. 馬鹿 (Baka): Stupid

The Japanese word baka (ばか) basically means “fool” or”idiot”. Depending on the tone and situation, it can range from a playful “dummy” to a harsh insult that stings.

The kanji is 馬鹿. 馬, meaning “horse” (uma), and 鹿, which means “deer” (shika). You might also see it written in katakana as バカ.

お前はバカなの？
Omae wa baka na no?
Are you stupid?

2. アホ (Aho): Stupid

Aho means idiot or stupid. If you watch a lot of anime, you probably know another way to call someone an idiot, 馬鹿 (aka), so what’s the difference between the two? While the two share the same meaning, アホ is more commonly used in the Kansai region, where it can range from playful teasing to outright insults, while 馬鹿 is used more in the Kanto region. Funnily enough, this results in either being more offensive in the region they’re used less.

In contrast, in the Kanto region, アホ feels harsher, and 馬鹿 is the preferred term for calling someone stupid.

お前、アホちゃう？
Omae, aho chau?
Are you an idiot?

3. ブス (Busu): Ugly Woman

Busu is an extremely ugly woman, and it is used specifically for women to insult their physical appearance; it’s a cruel and offensive term. It’s not the word you should use to a stranger — unless you want to crush their self-esteem.

It’s a demeaning term, so even if you intend to joke around, consider how people might feel about it.

The male version of ブス (Busu) is ブ男 (Buotoko). When someone mutters “busu” or “buotoko” under their breath, you’ll know the meaning and possibly how to react.

お前、ブスだよ。
Omae, busu da yo.
You’re ugly

4. 畜生 (Chikusho): Damn It!

Chikusho (ちくしょう) is an exclamation usually used out of frustration. It’s similar to saying “Damn!” or “Damn it!” in English. Sometimes, the translation goes, “For Christ’s sake!” It also has meaning outside of as an exclamation, that being “Beast” or “Brute”.

You don’t direct this Japanese swear word to someone. Rather, you use it when facing an unfortunate event or anything remotely inconvenient.

ちくしょう、パンクだ！
Chikushou, panku da!
Damn it! I’ve got a flat (tire)!

5. 黙れ (Damare): Shut up!

Like the phrase うるさい (Urusai), damare is used to say “Shut up!” The word stems from the Japanese verb 黙る (damaru), which means “to be quiet.” However, this is the Japanese command form used to express strong orders or demands.

Unlike using ください (kudasai) or お願いします (onegaishimasu), which are closer to a request or soft demand, this command form is not exactly polite.

This Japanese swear word is often interchangeable with うるさい (urusai), but they mean two different things, with the same implication. うるさい is a Japanese adjective that means “noisy.”

If you hear someone say this, it’s more to passively shut someone up: “You’re noisy! (So shut up)!” They will typically take it as a sign to tone it down.

だまれ, on the other hand, is much more of a command, so it is much more impolite to use it.

だまれ、このやろう！
Damare, kono yarou!
Shut up, you bastard!

6. どけ (Doke): Get out of my way!

Similar to だまれ, どけ (doke) is a Japanese command form from the verb どく, which means to step aside or move out of the way. When you’re pissed off and have to make the people move out of your path, you might lash out and say, “Get out of my way!”

It’s an extremely rude way of ‘asking’ someone to make way for you, and you shouldn’t use it in normal circumstances — like when you’re trying to get out of a packed train car.

どけ、邪魔だよ！
Doke, jama da yo!
Move, you’re in my way!

7. ふざけるな (Fuzakeru na): Don’t Mess With Me!

Any Japanese verb with a “na” な on the end is usually taken as an aggressive negative command of “don’t”.

ふざけるな comes from the phrase ふざける (fuzakeru), meaning to mess around. When used with な, it becomes a negative command, telling someone to stop messing around. It has since been translated to mean either “Stop messing around/with me”, or the more direct “Screw off”. The more casual version of this is the shortened ふざけんあ (Fuzakenna) often used in anime or informal settings.

ふざけるな、マジで！
Fuzakeru na, maji de!
Don’t mess with me, seriously!

8. うざい (Uzai): Annoying!

The word うざい, stylized as ウザイ (uzai), is short for うるさい (urusai), which means “noisy”, and うざったい, which means “annoying”. If you’re the type who gets annoyed at the slight public disturbance, you can use this for a not-so-subtle diss.

Think of this word as the English equivalent of saying that someone is being a pain in the ass.

If you want to stress the swear word more, you can end the word ウザイ (uzai) with a long ‘e’: ウゼェー (uzee)!

田中先生がウザくない？
Tanaka-sensei ga uzakunai?
Isn’t Tanaka-sensei a pain in the ass?

9. クソ (Kuso): Shit!

Kuso means “Poo”. Much like chikushou, it is used as an exclamation out of anger. While it can be used independently, it also sees a lot of use with other words. In these cases, it is used as an adjective. For example クソガキ (kusogaki), meaning “Shitty brat”.

クソ！なんでこうなるんだ？
Kuso! Nande kou narun da?
Shit! Why does this always happen?

10. お前 (Omae): You

These are both very rude ways of saying “you” in Japanese. In anime, particularly the shounen genre, male characters may use this second-person pronoun. It’s often translated as “bastard”, but most people wouldn’t really say it in real life.

This is similar to another word not on this list 貴様 (きさま), another rude way of saying “You,” which is commonly used in anime but never in real life.

Omae can be considered a rude way to refer to someone. It used to be considered honorific, but that was a long time ago. Of course, real life is not like anime, so try not to use it with just anyone.

お前が言うな.
Omae ga iu na.
Look who’s talking.

11. 手前 (てめえ/Temee): You (Bastard)

Not necessarily a Japanese swear word, but it is a very rude word that is hardly used by anyone in real life, though it can be commonly found in Japanese media like manga and anime.

Fictional characters use it to address others when they are angry, as it is considered less rude than in real life.

手前、何様のつもりだ？
Temee, nani-sama no tsumori da?
Who do you think you are, bastard?

12. 死ねえ (Shinee): Go Die!

Another swear word very popular in anime, しねえ means ”Die!” or “Go die!” Can’t get much worse than that. Of course, because it’s so commonly used, it’s kind of lost its severity, making it a fun word to throw around among friends.

Again, make sure not to use it against anyone you don’t know too well.

死ねえ、もう我慢できない！
Shinee, mou gaman dekinai!
Die, I can’t take it anymore!

13. やろう (Yarou)

Yarou technically just means ”Guy” (gender). It’s commonly used towards men and as a way to refer to someone.

As a Japanese swear word, it usually doesn’t stand alone. Rather, you’ll pair it with other words like baka or kuso. ばかやろう(baka yarou). You should not use やろう (yarou) to address women, as the usage would be wrong.

だまれこのやろう
Damare konoyarou
Shut up you bastard!

14. くたばれ (Kutabare): Drop Dead / Go to Hell

This is one of the stronger insults in Japanese, used to express extreme anger. It’s far more intense than common words like baka (idiot) or damare (shut up). This phrase isn’t something you’d hear in everyday conversation but might appear during heated arguments or in dramatic movie scenes. Its use is rare, but when it’s said, the intention is clear: the speaker is furious.

It’s used only in extreme situations, usually when someone loses control and wants to lash out verbally.

くたばれ、この野郎！
Kutabare, kono yarou!
Go to hell, you bastard!

15. ばばあ (Babaa) / じじい (Jijii): Grumpy Old Woman / Cranky Old Man

These words are used to insult older people, with babaa directed at women and jijii at men. In a culture where elders are usually treated with respect, using these words can be particularly offensive. While they might be used jokingly in anime or manga, in real life, they’re more likely to upset or insult someone.

Often spoken in frustration or anger. These words are also common in fictional works to portray rude or rebellious characters.If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, you might recognize the character Yubaba. Her name cleverly incorporates ばば (baba), which is a nod to ばばあ (babaa), meaning “old woman.” While it’s not intended as an insult in the film, her personality: stern, controlling, and a bit unpleasant, ties into the connotations of the word. This is an example of how language can be used creatively in storytelling without the usual negative implications

16. カス (Kasu): Scum / Worthless Person

Kasu is a deeply insulting term that likens someone to residue or waste, which is its literal meaning. It’s often used to demean someone’s character, implying they have no value. This word is not just offensive; it carries a lot of weight when spoken, so it’s best avoided altogether.

Usually heard in heated arguments, where emotions run high, and the speaker intends to seriously insult someone.

あのばばあ、また文句ばかり言ってるよ。
Ano babaa, mata monku bakari itteru yo.
That old hag is complaining again.

17. ボケ (Boke) : Fool

Boke (ボケ) means “fool” or “idiot.” It’s often used humorously in conversations, but it can also come off as an insult depending on the tone.
In a more casual sense, it’s often paired with other words, like ボケナス (bokenasu), which means “stupid eggplant.”

お前、ボケてんの？
Omae, boketen no?
Are you being stupid?

18. くさい (Kusai): Smelly

Kusai (くさい) means “smelly” or “stinky.” It can be used to describe something that literally smells bad or as an insult to say someone reeks.
This term can also imply someone has a figurative stench, like being shady or suspicious.

お前、くさすぎるよ！
Omae, kusa sugiru yo!
You stink too much!

19. きもい (Kimoi): Gross

Kimoi (きもい) is slang for “gross” or “creepy.” It’s short for 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui), meaning “disgusting.”
This word is often used casually among friends, but can be offensive depending on the context.

あいつ、本当にきもいね。
Aitsu, hontou ni kimoi ne.
That guy is really gross.

20. ハゲ (Hage): Baldy

This word is mostly used as a jab at men, hitting a sensitive spot — after all, few people like having their receding hairline or thinning crown pointed out. ハゲ literally means “bald” or “bald person.” It can sometimes be funny or teasing, but depending on how you use it, it can easily come off as offensive.

Fun fact: ハゲ can also be a verb. The verb ハゲる (hageru) means “to go bald” or “to become bald.”

彼はハゲてる
Kare wa hageteru
He is bald.

21. あばずれ (Abazure): Bitch

If you’ve ever heard the word あばずれ (abazure) in Japanese, you might want to brace yourself — it’s not exactly a compliment. This term is a pretty harsh insult, usually directed at women, implying that they’re shameless, immoral, or just plain wild.

Fun fact: The word can technically apply to men too, but these days, it’s mostly aimed at women. Historically, it had a broader meaning, but the modern use is definitely more pointed.

Do you need to learn Japanese curse words?

At the end of the day, Japanese swear words are a normal part of the culture, much like in any other country. But if you don’t plan on ever using them, why bother learning them?

1. Know it to understand

The most straightforward reason: learning Japanese swear words helps you actually understand them, so you won’t be caught off guard. Imagine someone calls you something in Japanese that sounds like a curse, and you have no idea what it means. You’ll look completely clueless.

2. Avoid offending people

If you spend a lot of time watching anime or reading manga aimed at adults, it’s easy to pick up words without realizing their strength. Knowing what’s considered rude keeps you from unintentionally offending others.

3. Understand Japanese culture more

Many Japanese swear words are tied to physical traits — being old, bald, overweight, or smelly — and reflect cultural attitudes. Learning them gives insight into how Japanese people express insult, humor, and social judgment.

Ready to speak more (or less) Japanese profanity? Be fluent in Japanese with Coto Academy’s fun, flexible courses!

Let’s face it: no standard textbook is going to teach you how to curse in Japanese. That’s where Coto Academy comes in. With conversation-focused, practical Japanese lessons, we give you the tools to recognize, understand, and navigate Japanese swear words in real life. That way, when someone drops a word you’ve never heard, you won’t be left staring blankly.

Learn the language as it’s really spoken, not just what’s in textbooks, and never get caught off guard again by joining our part-time or intensive Japanese lessons! If you’re ready to dive deeper into Japanese language and culture, why not take a class with us and learn the right way to express yourself?

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FAQ

How insulting is baka?

Baka means “fool” or “idiot,” and how insulting it is really depends on how and where it’s used. In casual, playful conversations, it’s often harmless, but if said with a harsh tone, it can definitely offend someone.

Is kuso a curse word?

Yes, kuso means “shit” and is considered a mild curse word. It’s often shouted when frustrated, like saying “damn it!” in English, or combined with other words for insults.

Is it rude to say oi in Japanese?

Yes, oi is a pretty rude way to get someone’s attention. It can come across as aggressive or impatient, so it’s not something you’d use in polite situations.

What is a rude word for “you” in Japanese?

Words like omae, temee, and kisama are all considered rude ways to say “you.” They’re mostly used in arguments or seen in anime and are not appropriate for polite settings.

Does the f-word exist in Japanese?

Not exactly. There isn’t a direct Japanese equivalent of the F-word, but phrases like kutabare (go to hell) or kuso (shit) come close in terms of intensity.

Is the middle finger rude in Japan?

Yes, the middle finger is considered rude in Japan, especially if it’s used in an aggressive or confrontational way. While it might not have the exact same cultural weight as in Western countries, it’s still seen as disrespectful, so it’s best to avoid using it.

What is yabai?

Yabai is a super versatile slang word. It can mean anything from “awesome” to “terrible” or even “risky,” depending on the tone and situation.

Why are there so many Japanese insults in anime?

Anime exaggerates language for drama or humor. A lot of these words are rarely used in real life, but they make characters stand out or add tension to stories.

How do you politely express frustration in Japanese?

Instead of swearing, you can say things like taihen (this is tough) or mou yappari (ugh, I knew it) to vent your feelings without offending anyone.

Introduction to Japanese Keigo

The Concept of Uchi and Soto

Japanese Keigo for Beginners

Basic Rules of Keigo

1. Polite Japanese: Teineigo (丁寧語)

2. Honorific Japanese: Sonkeigo (尊敬語)

Humble Keigo: 謙譲語

Japanese Keigo Conjugation

29 Useful Japanese Keigo Phrases for Work

When Should I Use Japanese Keigo?

Speaking Keigo As a Foreigner in Japan

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FAQ

What is Keigo?

Why is Keigo important in Japanese?

What are the main types of Keigo?

When should I use Sonkeigo?

When should I use Kenjougo?

Is Teineigo enough for daily conversations?

Do native speakers always use Keigo perfectly?

How can I practice Keigo?

Is Keigo only for business?

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

Conclusion

What is tameguchi?

What is keigo?

When should we use keigo?

Japanese Polite Prefixes

Rules of Japanese Honorific Prefixes

Frequent Expressions

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Who Does Keiro no Hi Celebrate?

When is Respect for the Aged Day This Year?

Why Respect of the Aged Day is Important in Japan

Origin of Keiro no Hi

How has Keiro no Hi Changed Since It Started?

How is Respect for the Aged Day Celebrated?

How You Can Commemorate the Day in Japan

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FAQ

What is Respect for the Aged Day?

When is Respect for the Aged Day celebrated?

How did Respect for the Aged Day start?

Who is celebrated on this day?

How is it celebrated?

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

Using Japanese Honorific Titles

4 Basic Japanese Honorifics

1. San (さん)

2. Sama (さま)

3. Kun (くん)

4. Chan (ちゃん)

Less-common Japanese Honorifics

5. Dono (殿)

6. Shi (氏)

7. Tan (たん)

8. Bou (坊)

Using Social Status as Japanese Titles

9. Senpai

10. Kouhai (後輩)

11. Sensei (先生)

Japanese Honorifics in the Workplace and Occupations

12. Buchou (部長)

13. Shachou (社長)

14. Kachou (課長)

Common Mistakes When Using Honorifics

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

Using Japanese Honorifics with a Western Name

What’s Next After Learning Japanese Suffixes?

What are Japanese honorifics?

When should I use -san in Japanese?

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

What does -sama mean in Japanese?

Should I use Japanese honorifics when speaking English?

**When Should You Not Use Tameguchi**?