TCJ Blog

When speaking Japanese, honorifics (敬称, keishō) are placed after names, such as -san, -sama, -kun, and -chan. Some of you may wonder, “Is this usage really correct?” There is a wide variety of honorifics, and using them properly is important. Today, we will explore some common Japanese honorifics and their usage—especially in business settings—in an easy and practical way!

The ultimate purpose of business is bringing benefits to yourself or your company. By using correct Japanese, let’s do delightful communication and think of nice ways to make a successful business.

The other day, I had a chance to talk with one of my students who owns a business. He said, “Answering a phone call is still challenging for me, so I always ask my employees to take them instead.” I was a bit surprised because he has lived in Japan for a long time and his Japanese proficiency is excellent. When I asked him what makes phone calls difficult, he explained, “Well, first, I can’t see the caller’s face. Second, it takes me some time to grasp what their intentions are. And lastly, I’m not sure how to respond appropriately.” In fact, even many Japanese people find phone calls challenging — around half of the population says they’re not good at them. One reason is that, compared to the past, people today have fewer opportunities to speak on the phone, as email and chat apps have become the main forms of communication. So today, let’s dive into everything about making phone calls in Japanese — from vocabulary related to phone calls, to important manners, and practical phrases that will help you handle calls smoothly at work or in business situations.

Have you heard of the Japanese test called the 日本語能力試験 (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test), or JLPT? The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is an exam that measures and certifies the Japanese ability of people whose native language is not Japanese. It is held not only in Japan but also in many other countries around the world. As the largest Japanese language test, it is widely recognized and well-known among people who study Japanese. The JLPT has five levels, ranging from N5, which is the easiest, to N1, which is the most difficult. Today, we will focus on the N2 level, which is the second most difficult, but also the level that many people aim for.

This article explores the importance of learning Japanese for work and why we believe TCJ is the best school to help you with this.