Q&A

Why does my Japanese neighbour always ask me where I’m going?

Published:17th May 2020

Question:  Whenever I happen to see my elderly Japanese neighbour while leaving home, she would ask me where I'm going (dochirae?). Why is she so concerned about my whereabouts? I don't know how to reply her so I usually just smiled. How do I reply her?

Why do Japanese people say I’m good at speaking Japanese even though I’m just a beginner?

Published:17th May 2020

Question: We had a Japanese visitor in our company today. When I introduced myself in Japanese, he was surprised and said that I was good at it (Nihongo ga joozudesune. 日本語が上手ですね。). I was a bit embarrassed as I could only manage simple greetings. Does he really mean it?

Why do Japanese say “ごちそうさまGochisoosama”?

Published:17th May 2020

Question: I was having dinner at a Japanese restaurant and heard a customer say “Gochisoosama” to the cashier. Why did he say that and what does it mean?

How To Say “Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule” In Japanese?

Updated:17th May 2020
Published:16th May 2020

Question:  I am going on a business trip to introduce new products in Japan. I have scheduled meetings with several Japanese clients, and they all seem very busy. How should I say "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule" in Japanese?

How To Say “Unbelievable!” In Japanese?

Published:3rd May 2020

Streets in New York have become completely deserted due to the coronavirusoutbreak. This has never happened before. I want to share a photo of this on Facebook with my Japanese friends. How do I write “Unbelievable!” in Japanese?

How To Say “Thank you for the update” In Japanese?

Published:26th April 2020

I’ve received more emails than usual due to rescheduling of meetings and business trips caused by the coronavirus outbreak. How do I say “Thank you for the update” in Japanese when I want to reply to my Japanese clients?

How To Say “Calm down” In Japanese?

Published:15th April 2020

We are facing hard times with the corona virus situation everywhere in the world. I live in Tokyo and things are flying off the shelves in supermarkets.

How To Say “Where are the electric sockets?” In Japanese?

Published:22nd March 2020

Question: I had just checked in at a Japanese inn and the staff was showing me my room. I did not seem to notice any electric sockets around and my phone battery was dying. How do I ask “where are the electric sockets?”

How To Say “Can I pay by credit card?” In Japanese?

Published:14th March 2020

Question: I went shopping at an electronics store in Japan and bought a camera. I want to ask whether I can pay by credit card as I do not have enough cash with me. How do I ask this?

Why do Japanese say “そうですね Soo desu ne” when they don’t agree with me?

Published:4th March 2020

Question:  I was making a presentation to my Japanese boss. At the end of my presentation, my boss said “そうですねSoo desu ne”. I thought he agreed to my proposal but then he said “じゃ、もう一度(いちど)考(かんが)えて見(み)ますJa, moo ichido kangaete mimasu” (let's think about it). Isn't “soo desu ne” agreeing to what a person has said?