Q&A

Question: We are pitching for our next project with a client and my colleagues are going to deliver the final presentation. I want to wish them “good luck” in their presentation but I’m not sure how to say it in Japanese. What’s “good luck” in Japanese?

Question: Someone rang my doorbell but I can’t see who is at the door as I do not have a door viewer. How do I say “who is it” in Japanese?

Question: My soccer teammates are asking whether to go for a drink after our practice session. However, I can’t as I have a date with my girlfriend. How do I say that in Japanese?

Question: I had the chance to stay with my Japanese friend and his family during my trip to Japan. I noticed that whenever we came back from outside, he would say something to his mum, and she would respond to it. I guess he’s saying that he’s back but I’m not sure. I’m also a bit embarrassed to ask him directly as I don’t want to seem like I’m eavesdropping on their conversation. How do I say “I’m home” in Japanese?

Question: I was in the photocopy room at the office when I heard someone asking for me. How do I reply “I’m here” in Japanese?

Question: We were talking about our family over lunch and my Japanese colleague asked me how many children I have. I wanted to say I have a girl. How do I say “Girl” in Japanese?

Question: My Japanese friend’s birthday is coming soon and I want to send her a birthday message. How do I say happy birthday in Japanese?

Question: I was interning at a Japanese company. During lunchtime, someone called the office and I picked up the phone. The man spoke rapidly in Japanese but I could not understand. Nobody was around to take the call in Japanese. I spoke in English but he could not understand me either. We had to end the call. When my colleagues returned to the office, I could only tell them that a man called the office but I could not provide more information. How do you say “man” in Japanese?

Question: I have started learning conversational Japanese and in class, I learned how to say, “I take a bus to school every morning” which is “maiasa basude gakkoo e ikimasu”. I actually have to walk quite a bit to school after alighting from the bus. So how do I say “I take a bus and walk to school”? Can I say “watashi wa basu to aruite gakkoo e ikimasu”?

Question: I will be starting my internship in a Japanese company. I want to leave a good impression on my Japanese supervisor and colleagues and am thinking of saying “nice to meet you” in Japanese. How do I say it in Japanese?