Question
I’m traveling to Japan for business and have a meeting scheduled next week. I want to make sure I understand the customs around exchanging business cards. How do I ask “Can you tell me the proper way to exchange business cards?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
名刺（めいし）の交換（こうかん）の仕方（しかた）を教（おし）えていただけますか。
Meishi no koukan no shikata o oshiete itadakemasu ka?
Can you tell me the proper way to exchange business cards?
In Japanese business culture, exchanging business cards or “meishi” is a vital first step in building professional relationships. To ask how to properly exchange business cards, you can use the above expression.
“Koukan” means “exchange”, and “shikata” means “method” or “way”. “Oshiete itadakemasu ka?” is a polite way to ask someone to teach or inform you about something. It’s always good to be aware of such customs so that you can make the right impression during your business meetings in Japan.
