Your first day at work in Japan: Japanese phrases

How Yoko opens the conversation

Yoko always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:

• 

  おはようございます。今日きょうから同おなじチームですね。わからないことは何なんでも聞きいてください。

  Ohayō gozaimasu. Kyō kara onaji chīmu desu ne. Wakaranai koto wa nan demo kiite kudasai.

  Good morning. We're on the same team from today. Ask me anything you're not sure about.

  You could say

  よろしくお願ねがいします。まず何なにをすればいいですか？

  Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Mazu nani o sureba ii desu ka?

  Nice to be working with you. What should I do first?

Other ways it can begin

No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:

• 

  はじめまして、高橋たかはしです。今日きょうからよろしくお願ねがいします。

  Hajimemashite, Takahashi desu. Kyō kara yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

  Nice to meet you, I'm Takahashi. I look forward to working with you from today.

  You could say

  こちらこそ、よろしくお願ねがいします。

  Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

  Likewise, I look forward to working with you.

• 

  こちらが新あたらしい席せきです。窓まどの近ちかくで明あかるいですよ。

  Kochira ga atarashii seki desu. Mado no chikaku de akarui desu yo.

  This is your new desk. It's near the window, so it's nice and bright.

  You could say

  わあ、いい席せきですね。ありがとうございます。

  Wā, ii seki desu ne. Arigatō gozaimasu.

  Wow, what a nice desk. Thank you.

• 

  この電話でんわの使つかい方かた、先さきに説明せつめいしますね。

  Kono denwa no tsukaikata, saki ni setsumei shimasu ne.

  Let me explain how to use this phone first.

  You could say

  はい、お願ねがいします。メモしますね。

  Hai, onegai shimasu. Memo shimasu ne.

  Yes, please. I'll take notes.

• 

  来月らいげつ、北海道ほっかいどうのツアーがあるんです。楽たのしみですよ。

  Raigetsu, Hokkaidō no tsuā ga aru n desu. Tanoshimi desu yo.

  Next month there's a Hokkaido tour. I'm really looking forward to it.

  You could say

  いいですね。私わたしも楽たのしみです。

  Ii desu ne. Watashi mo tanoshimi desu.

  That sounds great. I'm looking forward to it too.

• 

  旅行りょこうはお好すきですか。私わたしは温泉おんせんが大好だいすきです。

  Ryokō wa osuki desu ka. Watashi wa onsen ga daisuki desu.

  Do you like traveling? I love hot springs.

  You could say

  はい、大好だいすきです。温泉おんせんもいいですね。

  Hai, daisuki desu. Onsen mo ii desu ne.

  Yes, I love it. Hot springs are lovely too.

Phrases worth knowing here

Lines for what you do at the office, each with when you'd say it.

• 本日ほんじつからお世話せわになります。Honjitsu kara osewa ni narimasu.I'll be working with you from today.The standard first-day greeting to new colleagues, right after saying your name.
• 席せきはこちらです。Seki wa kochira desu.Your desk is over here.What Yoko says while showing you around; 給湯室 (kitchenette) and 会議室 swap in the same way.
• 分わからないことがあったら、何なんでも聞きいてください。Wakaranai koto ga attara, nandemo kiite kudasai.If there's anything you don't understand, just ask.A senior colleague's reassurance; answer with はい、お願いします。
• コピー機きの使つかい方かたを教おしえていただけますか。Kopīki no tsukaikata o oshiete itadakemasu ka.Could you show me how to use the copier?Polite way to ask a senior colleague to teach you any office task.
• メモを取とってもいいですか。Memo o totte mo ii desu ka.Do you mind if I take notes?Say this during the tour or an explanation—it makes a good impression on day one.

Words you'll hear

How polite to be

polite Here Yoko speaks polite Japanese: です and ます, the way people talk with strangers, neighbors, and coworkers, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.

More scenes with Yoko

• Planning a trip陽子（ようこ） · Travel agencyformal
• Celebrating a finished project陽子（ようこ） · Izakayacasual
• Opening an account陽子（ようこ） · Bankpolite
• Registering where you live陽子（ようこ） · Ward officepolite
• A stain before a meeting陽子（ようこ） · Dry cleanerpolite
• A trip to the dentist陽子（ようこ） · Dental clinicpolite
• Checking in陽子（ようこ） · Airportformal
• A job interview陽子（ようこ） · Interview roomformal
• A hot spring getaway陽子（ようこ） · Hot spring townformal

Or see every scene, with all four characters.