
Question
I’m going on a business trip to Japan, and I’ve heard that exchanging business cards is an important custom. How do I properly ask “May I have your business card?” in Japanese?

Japango Editor Team
名刺(めいし)をいただけますか?
Meishi o itadakemasu ka?
May I have your business card?
In Japan, exchanging business cards, or “meishi,” is an important part of business etiquette. When asking for someone’s business card, it’s polite to use the phrase “meishi o itadakemasu ka?” Here, “meishi” means “business card,” and “itadakemasu ka?” is a polite way of asking, “May I receive?” Remember to show respect by using both hands to offer or receive the business card, and take a moment to look at it before carefully putting it away in a cardholder. This respectful exchange can help build professional relationships in Japan.