Lesson 1: Greetings and Courtesy at Work: おつかれさまです and More

In a Japanese workplace, small words of courtesy matter as much as skill. Using them well makes colleagues trust you quickly. This course assumes you finished Courses 1 and 2; every phrase has audio and Nepali and English meanings.

The most useful phrase: おつかれさまです

おつかれさまです literally means "thank you for your hard work". It is used many times a day between colleagues: when you meet in the corridor, when you start a phone call, when someone finishes a task, and when someone leaves. There is no exact Nepali or English word; think of it as a warm "hello / well done / thank you" for people who share the same work.

Answering and understanding

When you don't understand, say so. A new worker who stays silent and guesses causes more trouble than one who says すみません、もう いちど おねがいします. Japanese bosses expect questions from new people.

Names, ranks and who is who

Call a colleague by family name + さん (たなかさん). Call a manager by family name + title (たなかかちょう, やまだぶちょう), without さん after the title. Never use first names unless you are told to.

Time and the start of the day

• Be early. Arriving 5 to 10 minutes before the start time is normal. Arriving exactly on time is often seen as late.
• Many workplaces start with a short ちょうれい (morning meeting): the leader gives the plan and safety points. Listen for numbers, times and names.
• Bow slightly when you greet. About 15 degrees for colleagues, 30 degrees for bosses and customers.
• ほうれんそう (report, contact, consult) is the heart of work life: you will study it in Lesson 4.

Dialogue: the end of a work day

Every ▶ button plays a clear computer voice, which is good for learning sounds and rhythm but is not a native speaker. Pitch (the rise and fall of the voice) can sound a little flat. Also listen to real Japanese as often as you can: videos, news for learners (NHK Easy), and Japanese people around you.

Check yourself

Try to answer every question before you look at the answers.

1. What does おつかれさまです mean, in your own words?
2. What do you say when you leave before others?
3. What do you say when you enter or leave a room?
4. What is the more polite way to say "understood" to a boss?
5. You don't understand an instruction. What do you say?
6. What is a かちょう?
7. How do you call Mr Tanaka, a section chief?
8. What is ちょうれい?
9. How many minutes early should you arrive?
10. What is the strongest apology in this lesson?

Answers

Count your correct answers. If you got fewer than 7 out of 10, read the lesson again and listen to the audio once more.

1. "Thank you for your hard work": a daily greeting between colleagues.
2. おさきに しつれいします。
3. しつれいします。
4. かしこまりました。
5. すみません、もう いちど おねがいします。
6. A section chief.
7. たなかかちょう.
8. The morning meeting.
9. About 5 to 10 minutes.
10. もうしわけありません。