Working in Japan: Understanding Business Phrases
Expressing gratitude appropriately is essential in Japanese business culture. Today's phrase will help you acknowledge someone sharing valuable information or insights with you—a phrase commonly used at the end of meetings, interviews, or presentations.
Learning Focus: This lesson teaches you how to politely express gratitude for valuable information in a business context. You'll learn vocabulary related to gratitude expressions, proper honorific forms, and culturally appropriate ways to show appreciation.
Today's Phrase
Let's analyze each component
This phrase demonstrates the Japanese system of honorifics and humility:
- お話 (ohanashi) - adds the honorific prefix "お" to elevate the other person's information
- お聞かせ (o kikase) - uses the causative form with honorific prefix to express "allowing me to hear"
- いただき (itadaki) - the humble form of "receiving," showing that you are the grateful recipient
Together these elements create the proper balance of respect toward the speaker and humility in your position.
Industry-Specific Usage
This expression is frequently used at the conclusion of business meetings where information has been shared. It acknowledges not just the time spent but specifically values the content shared. Senior executives often receive this level of gratitude when sharing company strategies or vision.
When an interviewee uses this phrase to an interviewer, it shows appreciation for the insights about the company or position. When an interviewer says this to a candidate, it acknowledges the candidate's valuable experience and knowledge. This creates a positive final impression before concluding the interview.
After a seminar or workshop, participants often use this phrase when thanking presenters, emphasizing the value of the knowledge gained. In professional development contexts, this phrase signals that you not only attended but actively valued the information shared.
Researchers use this expression when colleagues or industry partners share specialized knowledge or findings. In R&D settings, this phrase helps maintain the knowledge-sharing culture by formally acknowledging valuable contributions to collective understanding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Casual substitution: Replacing this formal phrase with casual equivalents like "ありがとう" (arigatō) or "どうも" (dōmo) in formal business settings is inappropriate and may appear disrespectful.
- Timing errors: Using this phrase at the beginning of a conversation rather than after information has been shared shows misunderstanding of its purpose and appears out of sequence.
- Omitting "貴重な" (kichōna): Without this qualifier, the expression doesn't convey the special value placed on what was shared, reducing the impact of your gratitude.
- Incorrect honorific forms: Saying "教えてくれて" (oshiete kurete) instead of "お聞かせいただき" (o kikase itadaki) removes the humble stance that shows proper respect in a business context.
- Present tense usage: Using "ありがとうございます" (arigatōgozaimasu) instead of "ありがとうございました" (arigatōgozaimashita) may sound awkward as the sharing has already occurred and requires the past tense form.
Learner Note: While casual gratitude expressions are appropriate among friends or close colleagues, formal business relationships (especially with superiors or clients) require the full honorific expression. Remember that the level of formality in your language reflects your professional attitude.
Business Etiquette Points
- Accompany with a bow: This phrase should be accompanied by an appropriate bow—typically around 30 degrees for business settings. The depth of the bow may increase with the seniority of the person you're thanking.
- Eye contact: Make brief eye contact before bowing, then lower your gaze during the bow. This demonstrates both attention and respect.
- Timing: Express this gratitude at the conclusion of the information exchange, not prematurely. Wait until the speaker has fully completed sharing their thoughts.
- Vocal tone: Deliver with a warm but professional tone to convey sincere appreciation. Avoid monotone delivery which may sound insincere.
- Business card context: If the conversation included an exchange of business cards, reference specific information shared while expressing gratitude.
- Follow up: Consider pairing this with a commitment to utilize the shared information, reinforcing its value.
Cultural Note: In Japanese business culture, gratitude is not just verbal—the non-verbal components (bowing, tone, timing) are equally important. Together they form a complete expression of appreciation that maintains harmony and respect in professional relationships.
Related Business Vocabulary
Role-Play Scenarios
Scenario 1: After a business presentation
たなかぶちょう： プレゼンテーションはいかがでしたか？
Tanaka buchō: Purezentēshon wa ikaga deshita ka?
Department Head Tanaka: How was the presentation?
すずき： きちょうなおはなしをおきかせいただき、ありがとうございました。とくにかいがいてんかいのせんりゃくがたいへんさんこうになりました。
Suzuki: Kichōna ohanashi o o kikase itadaki, arigatōgozaimashita. Toku ni kaigai tenkai no senryaku ga taihen sankō ni narimashita.
Suzuki: Thank you for sharing your valuable insights. The overseas expansion strategy was particularly informative.
Notice how after the gratitude phrase, Suzuki adds specific details about what was valuable ("海外展開の戦略" - the overseas expansion strategy). This shows that you were actively listening and found particular value in certain information, making your gratitude more sincere and meaningful.
Scenario 2: After a job interview
めんせつかん： きょうはおじかんをいただきありがとうございました。なにかしつもんはありますか？
Mensetsu-kan: Kyō wa o jikan o itadaki arigatōgozaimashita. Nanika shitsumon wa arimasu ka?
Interviewer: Thank you for your time today. Do you have any questions?
おうぼしゃ： いいえ、きちょうなおはなしをおきかせいただき、ありがとうございました。おんしゃのきぎょうりねんがよくりかいできました。
Ōbosha: Iie, kichōna ohanashi o o kikase itadaki, arigatōgozaimashita. Onsha no kigyō rinen ga yoku rikai dekimashita.
Applicant: No, thank you for sharing your valuable insights. I have gained a clear understanding of your company's philosophy.
This gratitude expression serves as an excellent way to conclude an interview, showing that you valued the information shared. Adding "御社の企業理念がよく理解できました" (I've gained a clear understanding of your company's philosophy) demonstrates that you were engaged and received valuable information from the interviewer.
Similar Expressions
These expressions vary in nuance:
- 有益な (yūekina) emphasizes the practical benefit of the information
- 勉強になりました (benkyō ni narimashita) positions you as having learned something valuable
- 示唆に富む (shisa ni tomu) acknowledges the insightful nature of what was shared
- ご教示 (go-kyōji) is used when someone has specifically taught or guided you
Choose the variation that best matches the type of information you received.
Quick Quiz
- At the beginning of a business meeting
- After someone has shared valuable information
- When greeting a business partner
- When apologizing for a mistake
- 貴重な (kichōna)
- お話 (ohanashi)
- いただき (itadaki)
- ございました (gozaimashita)
- Handshake
- Bow
- High-five
- Standing up
Pronunciation Tips
「き」は軽く、「ちょう」にアクセントがあります。
「き」はかるく、「ちょう」にアクセントがあります。
Kichōna: "Ki" is light, and the accent is on "chō".
For "valuable": The "ki" is pronounced lightly, and the emphasis is placed on "chō".
「き」と「か」の間にポーズを入れないでください。
「き」と「か」のあいだにポーズをいれないでください。
O kikase: Do not put a pause between "ki" and "ka".
For "letting hear": Don't pause between "ki" and "ka" - it should flow smoothly.
「だ」にアクセントがあります。
「だ」にアクセントがあります。
Itadaki: The accent is on "da".
For "receiving": The emphasis should be placed on the syllable "da".
「あり」と「がとう」をはっきりと、「ございました」はやや早めに発音します。
「あり」と「がとう」をはっきりと、「ございました」はややはやめにはつおんします。
Arigatōgozaimashita: Pronounce "ari" and "gatō" clearly, then say "gozaimashita" slightly faster.
For "thank you": Articulate "ari" and "gatō" distinctly, then pronounce "gozaimashita" at a slightly faster pace.
Pronunciation Tip: Recording yourself and comparing to native examples can help perfect your intonation patterns. In this phrase, the rhythm and stress placement are particularly important for conveying sincere appreciation.
Cultural Context
This phrase reflects several key aspects of Japanese business culture:
By specifying that the information was "貴重" (valuable/precious), the speaker honors the expertise of the other person. This recognition of value is important in a culture where knowledge is highly respected and acknowledgment of others' contributions maintains harmony.
Using "いただき" (receiving humbly) positions the speaker as the beneficiary of the other's generosity, maintaining harmonious power dynamics. This humility is fundamental to Japanese communication, particularly in professional contexts where hierarchy is important.
The past tense "ございました" indicates the completion of a formal exchange, providing proper closure to the interaction. This level of formality signals respect and creates appropriate distance in professional relationships.
In Japanese business culture, explicitly acknowledging contributions reinforces relationships and fosters trust. The detailed nature of this gratitude expression (compared to simpler "thank you" phrases) reflects the importance placed on recognizing others' contributions.
The phrasing conceptualizes knowledge sharing as giving a gift, which creates reciprocal obligation—a fundamental concept in Japanese social relations. By acknowledging this "gift" properly, you maintain the cycle of reciprocity that underlies business relationships.
Cultural Insight: When expressing this phrase, the speaker acknowledges not just the information itself, but the willingness of the other party to share it, which is considered a generous act worthy of formal gratitude. Understanding this cultural perspective helps foreign business professionals avoid appearing dismissive or ungrateful, which could damage relationships.
Quiz Answers
Practice Challenge
Try using this phrase in these three scenarios, making appropriate adjustments based on the context:
Consider: What specific aspect of their explanation was most valuable? Mention this after your gratitude expression.
Consider: How might you indicate that you'll use this information to serve them better?
Consider: How would you adapt this phrase for someone you've just met but want to maintain contact with?
For each scenario, consider:
- The appropriate depth of bow
- Any additional phrases you might add before or after
- How you might follow up later to demonstrate you valued the shared information
Practice Tip: Remember that mastering this phrase is not just about memorizing words but understanding the cultural significance of properly acknowledging the value others provide through their knowledge and insights. Regular practice in authentic contexts will help you internalize both the language and the cultural meaning behind it.
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