Useful Japanese Phrase for Business: "I'd like to discuss transportation from the airport to the hotel."
Working in Japan: Understanding Business Phrases
Planning transportation during business trips in Japan can be challenging, especially if you're not familiar with the proper Japanese expressions. Today's phrase will help you discuss airport-to-hotel transportation arrangements in a professional and culturally appropriate way.
Learning Focus: This lesson teaches you how to politely discuss transportation arrangements in a business context. You'll learn vocabulary related to airport transportation, proper grammar structures, and culturally appropriate ways to make requests.
Today's Phrase
Let's analyze each component
This phrase uses two important directional particles:
- から (kara) - indicates the starting point ("from the airport")
- まで (made) - indicates the destination or endpoint ("to the hotel")
Together they create a path: 空港から (from the airport) → ホテルまで (to the hotel)
The の (no) after まで connects this entire route expression to 送迎 (transportation).
Industry-Specific Usage
Travel agencies and corporate travel departments frequently use this phrase when arranging business trips for clients or employees visiting Japan for the first time. More polite variations like "お客様の送迎につきまして" (O-kyaku-sama no sōgei ni tsukimashite) are also commonly used.
Hotel staff employ similar phrasing when confirming shuttle services for international business travelers who may face language barriers. Many luxury hotels in Japan offer dedicated shuttle services and use terms such as "送迎サービスのご案内" (Sōgei sābisu no go-annai) when explaining transportation options.
Event coordinators regularly use phrases around "送迎の手配" (sōgei no tehai) when organizing transportation logistics for conference attendees, speakers, or VIP guests arriving from overseas. For large international conferences, detailed shuttle schedules are meticulously planned for all participants.
Secretaries and administrative assistants arrange "送迎" (sōgei) for visiting executives or business partners, demonstrating attention to detail and the spirit of omotenashi (hospitality). This service is particularly important for international visitors to reduce arrival anxiety and showcase Japanese hospitality from the moment they land.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect particle usage: Using 「空港に」(kūkō ni) instead of 「空港から」(kūkō kara) changes the meaning to "to the airport" rather than "from the airport," completely reversing your intended destination and starting point.
- Using casual forms: Saying 「相談だ」(sōdan da) instead of 「相談です」(sōdan desu) is too casual for business settings and can appear disrespectful when speaking with service providers or business partners.
- Pronunciation errors: Not extending the long vowels in 「空港」(くうこう - kūkō) and 「送迎」(そうげい - sōgei) can change the meaning or sound unnatural to Japanese listeners. Practice these long vowel sounds carefully.
- Word choice confusion: Using 「交通」(こうつう - kōtsū) instead of 「送迎」(そうげい - sōgei) changes the meaning from "shuttle/transportation service" to "traffic/transportation" in general, making your request less specific and potentially confusing.
Learner Note: The term 「送迎」(そうげい - sōgei) specifically refers to arranged transportation services (like airport shuttles, hotel pickups) rather than general transportation. Using the correct term shows awareness of Japanese business terminology and helps clarify exactly what you're requesting.
Business Etiquette Points
- Make transportation arrangements at least 48 hours before arrival. This shows respect for the service provider's time and allows for proper preparation.
- After verbal arrangements, always follow up with a confirmation email (「確認のメール」- kakunin no mēru). Written documentation is highly valued in Japanese business.
- When arrangements are completed, express gratitude with "ご対応ありがとうございます" (go-taiō arigatō gozaimasu - Thank you for your assistance).
- When making requests in person, a slight bow is appropriate. On the phone, reflect this respect in your tone of voice.
- Address the person arranging transportation with the appropriate honorific (typically "-さん" (san) for colleagues, or "-様" (sama) in more formal situations).
Cultural Note: In Japan, arranging transportation for visitors is considered part of hospitality (おもてなし - omotenashi), not just a logistical task. Proper arrangements reflect on both you and your company's attention to detail and respect for others.
Related Business Vocabulary
Role-Play Scenarios
Scenario 1: Making Transportation Arrangements
たなか（えいぎょうぶ）：くうこうからほてるまでのそうげいについてそうだんです。
Tanaka (Eigyōbu): Kūkō kara hoteru made no sōgei ni tsuite sōdan desu.
Tanaka (Sales Dept.): I'd like to discuss transportation from the airport to the hotel.
さとう（そうむぶ）：かしこまりました。なんめいさまでしょうか？
Satō (Sōmubu): Kashikomarimashita. Nan mei-sama deshō ka?
Sato (General Affairs Dept.): Certainly. For how many people?
たなか：さんめいです。らいしゅうのかようびになりたくうこうにとうちゃくよていです。
Tanaka: San mei desu. Raishū no kayōbi ni Narita kūkō ni tōchaku yotei desu.
Tanaka: Three people. We plan to arrive at Narita Airport next Tuesday.
さとう：しょうちいたしました。てはいしておきます。ふらいとじょうほうをめーるでおおくりいただけますか？
Satō: Shōchi itashimashita. Tehai shite okimasu. Furaito jōhō o mēru de o-okuri itadakemasu ka?
Sato: Understood. I will arrange it. Could you please send the flight information by email?
Note how Sato responds with 「かしこまりました」(kashikomarimashita) and later 「承知いたしました」(shōchi itashimashita), both formal ways of acknowledging a request in business settings. This is more polite than the casual 「わかりました」(wakarimashita).
Scenario 2: Confirming Transportation Details
やまだ（しゅっちょうしゃ）：あしたのそうげいのかくにんをしたいのですが。
Yamada (Shutchōsha): Ashita no sōgei no kakunin o shitai no desu ga.
Yamada (Business traveler): I'd like to confirm tomorrow's transportation.
ほてるふろんと：はい、やまださまのくうこうそうげいはごぜんじゅうじにろびーしゅうごうでごよやくされています。
Hoteru furonto: Hai, Yamada-sama no kūkō sōgei wa gozen jū-ji ni robī shūgō de go-yoyaku sarete imasu.
Hotel Front Desk: Yes, Mr. Yamada, your airport transportation is scheduled for 10 AM, meeting in the lobby.
やまだ：ふらいとがおくれたばあいはどうすればよいですか？
Yamada: Furaito ga okureta baai wa dō sureba yoi desu ka?
Yamada: What should I do if my flight is delayed?
ほてるふろんと：そのばあいはこちらのふろんとちょくつうばんごうにごれんらくください。にじゅうよじかんたいおうしております。
Hoteru furonto: Sono baai wa kochira no furonto chokutsū bangō ni go-renraku kudasai. Nijūyojikan taiō shite orimasu.
Hotel Front Desk: In that case, please contact this direct front desk number. We are available 24 hours.
Notice how Yamada's confirmation request ends with 「〜のですが」(no desu ga) rather than a direct question. This makes the request sound softer and more polite. This is a common pattern in Japanese business communication.
Similar Expressions
Japanese business requests often use these polite patterns:
- 〜していただけますか？ (shite itadakemasu ka?) - "Could you please do ~ for me?" (very polite)
- 〜お願いできますか？ (onegai dekimasu ka?) - "Could I ask you to ~?" (polite)
- 〜したいのですが。 (shitai no desu ga.) - "I would like to ~." (polite indirect request)
Using these patterns instead of more direct requests shows respect and maintains harmony.
Quick Quiz
Pronunciation Tips
The "ū" sound is a long vowel. Don't pronounce "ku" and "u" as separate sounds, but as one extended "kuu" sound. This is critical as incorrect pronunciation could change the meaning.
Practice: kū-kō (くう・こう) not ku-u-ko-u (く・う・こ・う)
For the "sō" part, pronounce "o" and "u" as one long "oh" sound. Many English speakers tend to separate these vowels, which sounds unnatural in Japanese.
Practice: sō-gei (そう・げい) not so-u-ge-i (そ・う・げ・い)
Pronounce particles lightly and naturally without emphasis. They should flow smoothly with the surrounding words rather than standing out.
Practice: kūkōkara (くうこうから) as one fluid phrase
Pronounce "sōdan" with a flat tone, and "desu" with a slightly falling tone. This is a statement, not a question, so be careful not to raise your pitch at the end as English speakers often do.
Practice: sō-dan-desu ↘ (falling intonation at end)
Pronunciation Tip: Recording yourself and comparing to native examples can help perfect your long vowel sounds, which are crucial for clear communication in Japanese. The difference between short and long vowels can completely change word meanings.
Cultural Context
In Japanese business culture, transportation arrangements are not merely a logistical matter but an expression of hospitality and thoughtfulness. Understanding the cultural values behind this phrase will help you communicate more effectively.
Japanese hospitality involves thorough consideration of others' needs and comfort. Arranging transportation is a concrete expression of this value, especially for international visitors who might feel anxious about navigating an unfamiliar country. By relieving this stress, you demonstrate true omotenashi.
Japanese business culture values anticipating needs before they arise. Arranging transportation in advance exemplifies this "one step ahead" mindset by solving the "how will I get there" question before it becomes a concern. This proactive consideration builds trust, especially with first-time visitors to Japan.
By framing your request as a "consultation" (相談 - sōdan) rather than a direct demand, you maintain harmony in the relationship. This approach respects the other person's position and opinion, creating smooth communication and preserving wa in your professional relationships.
In Japanese business culture, attention to small details determines overall quality. Taking care of "minor" logistics like transportation reflects on the quality of the entire business relationship. In international business contexts, this meticulous attention to detail is recognized as a strength of Japanese companies.
Cultural Insight: When a Japanese business partner arranges transportation for you, it's not just a practical service but an expression of respect and hospitality. Acknowledging this with sincere thanks (「ありがとうございます」- arigatō gozaimasu) and reciprocating when possible helps build stronger business relationships.
Quiz Answers
Practice Challenge
Practice using today's phrase and vocabulary by creating your own business conversations about transportation arrangements. Include the following elements:
For each scenario, incorporate appropriate levels of formality, correct particles, and proper expressions of gratitude to demonstrate cultural awareness.
Practice Tip: Saying these phrases aloud helps build muscle memory for proper pronunciation. Focus particularly on the long vowel sounds (ū, ō) and maintaining appropriate intonation patterns for statements versus questions.
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