Business Japanese Lesson #5

Summary

This video tutorial focuses on effective business Japanese, particularly in the context of apologizing for mistakes during product deliveries. The scenario involves a company delivering the wrong product to a client, and the video demonstrates proper ways to apologize, ask for details, and communicate professionally. Key phrases and etiquette, such as using polite language, offering sincere apologies, and requesting actions like returns, are highlighted. The lesson emphasizes the importance of using formal and respectful expressions to ensure smooth business interactions in Japan.

Takeaways

• 😀 Apologies in business are crucial, and it's important to convey genuine regret for any mistakes made. A key phrase for this is '大変申し訳ありませんでした' (I'm very sorry).
• 😀 It's important to be polite and use more formal language in business conversations, such as replacing casual expressions like 'えっと' or 'あの' with '少々お待ちください' (Please wait a moment).
• 😀 When requesting additional details, it's best to use formal, polite phrases like '詳細を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか?' (Could you kindly provide the details?).
• 😀 The phrase 'ご指摘の通り' (As you pointed out) is an effective way to acknowledge and confirm a mistake or misunderstanding in a business setting.
• 😀 When discussing mistakes, use more formal terms like '不手際' (incompetence or error) instead of casual terms like 'ミス' (mistake).
• 😀 Polite business interactions should include phrases that express humility and respect for the other person's time, such as 'お手数おかけしますが' (Sorry to trouble you).
• 😀 It is essential to use '弊社' (our company) in place of more casual terms like 'うちの会社' when referring to your business in a professional context.
• 😀 When a mistake is confirmed, a formal apology like 'ご迷惑をおかけし申し訳ありませんでした' (We apologize for the inconvenience caused) should be used.
• 😀 When asking for action from the other party, you can use polite requests such as '弊社に返送していただけますか?' (Could you please return the item to our company?).
• 😀 In business contexts, especially when dealing with returns or complaints, it's important to maintain an apologetic tone and express the urgency of the situation, such as '至急対応よろしくお願いします' (Please handle this urgently).

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is about how to handle apologies and resolve issues in a business context, particularly focusing on an order mix-up.

What mistake occurred in the business transaction?

The customer ordered product A-01, but they received product B-01 instead.

How does the speaker suggest apologizing in a formal business setting?

The speaker suggests using the phrase '大変申し訳ありませんでした' (taihen moushiwake arimasen deshita), which is a more formal and sincere way of apologizing.

What is the correct way to ask for clarification in business Japanese?

A polite way to ask for clarification would be '注文の詳細を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか?' (Chuumon no shousai wo ukagatte mo yoroshii deshou ka?), which means 'May I ask for the details of the order?'

What language change does the speaker recommend when discussing an error with a customer?

The speaker recommends using the phrase 'ご指摘の通り' (go shiteki no toori), which means 'as you pointed out,' to acknowledge the customer's correct observation politely.

What is the correct way to handle a phone call in a formal setting?

The speaker suggests using the phrase 'お待たせいたしました' (Omatase itashimashita) instead of casual expressions like 'ちょっと待ってください' (Chotto matte kudasai) when resuming the conversation after a brief wait.

What polite expression should be used to make a request in a business environment?

The speaker recommends starting a request with 'お手数おかけしますが' (Otesuu okakeshimasu ga), which means 'I apologize for the inconvenience, but...' to soften the request.

How should one apologize for an error caused by their company?

A formal apology would include 'こちらの不手際でご迷惑をおかけし申し訳ありませんでした' (Kochira no futekiga de go meiwaku wo okake shi moushiwake arimasen deshita), meaning 'I apologize for the inconvenience caused by our mistake.'

What should you say when asking for a return or exchange of a product in a business context?

A polite request would be 'お手数おかけしますが弊社に返送していただけますか?' (Otesuu okakeshimasu ga heisha ni hensou shite itadakemasu ka?), which means 'I apologize for the inconvenience, but could you return the product to our company?'

What is a more formal way to say 'Sorry for bothering you when you're busy'?

The speaker recommends saying 'お忙しいところ申し訳ありません' (Oisogashii tokoro moushiwake arimasen), which means 'I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy.'