Question
I’m in Japan for a business trip and we have a scheduled meeting with a Japanese company. I want to make sure we’re not late. How do I ask “What time does the meeting start?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
会議（かいぎ）は何時（なんじ）に始（はじ）まりますか。
Kaigi wa nanji ni hajimarimasu ka?
What time does the meeting start?
In a business context, punctuality is highly valued in Japan. To inquire about the start time of a meeting, you can use the above phrase. “Kaigi” means “meeting” and “nanji ni hajimarimasu ka” translates as “what time does it start?”
Anytime you’re talking about the start of an event or meeting, simply substitute “kaigi” with the relevant event, and you’ll be all set. It’s always a good idea to confirm such details to ensure smooth communication with your Japanese counterparts.
