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What are key Japanese phrases for starting a meeting

Japanese for Business Success: Communicate with Confidence in Meetings and Presentations: What are key Japanese phrases for starting a meeting
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Here are some key Japanese phrases commonly used for starting a meeting:

  • おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning (formal greeting to start the day/meeting)
  • 皆さん、お集まりいただきありがとうございます (Minasan, oatsumari itadaki arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you everyone for gathering.
  • それでは、会議を始めたいと思います (Soredewa, kaigi wo hajimetai to omoimasu) – Well then, I would like to start the meeting.
  • 本日の議題に入ります (Honjitsu no gidai ni hairimasu) – Let’s get into today’s agenda.
  • どうぞよろしくお願いします (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – Thank you in advance/Please take care of this (formal, polite phrase to start a collaborative meeting).

These expressions set a respectful and formal tone appropriate for professional Japanese meetings.

Why These Phrases Matter in a Japanese Meeting Context

Japanese business culture highly values hierarchy, politeness, and clarity. Starting a meeting with polite greetings like おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) or 皆さん、お集まりいただきありがとうございます (Minasan, oatsumari itadaki arigatou gozaimasu) shows respect for participants’ time and presence. Unlike casual Western meetings, Japanese meetings often begin with clearly acknowledged formalities to create a harmonious atmosphere. Using どうぞよろしくお願いします (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) signals cooperation and mutual expectation, something deeply embedded in Japan’s group-focused workplace culture.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Meeting in Japanese

  1. Greet everyone formally
    Start with おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) if it’s a morning meeting, or こんにちは (Konnichiwa) for afternoon. This establishes politeness from the outset.

  2. Thank participants for attending
    Saying 皆さん、お集まりいただきありがとうございます (Minasan, oatsumari itadaki arigatou gozaimasu) acknowledges participants’ effort to be there, building goodwill.

  3. Announce the start of the meeting
    The phrase それでは、会議を始めたいと思います (Soredewa, kaigi wo hajimetai to omoimasu) is a soft yet clear cue indicating the meeting is officially starting, avoiding abruptness.

  4. State the agenda
    本日の議題に入ります (Honjitsu no gidai ni hairimasu) shifts the focus immediately to the business topic, helping participants mentally prepare for the discussion.

  5. Express collaborative spirit
    どうぞよろしくお願いします (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is an essential phrase that reinforces respect and teamwork, signaling a positive working relationship.

Common Variations and Alternatives

  • Instead of おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu), some meetings might open with 皆さん、お疲れ様です (Minasan, otsukaresama desu), which literally means “thank you for your hard work” and can be used throughout the day. It is a standard office greeting to acknowledge effort.

  • A more informal but still polite phrase instead of それでは、会議を始めたいと思います can be では、始めましょう (Dewa, hajimemashou) meaning “Well then, let’s begin.”

  • When introducing the agenda, one might also say 議題について説明します (Gidai ni tsuite setsumei shimasu) – “I will explain the agenda.”

Pronunciation Tips for Key Phrases

  • おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu): The pitch accent rises sharply on は (ha-yo-u), creating a smooth but distinct intonation. This phrase often sounds longer and more formal than casual “ohayou.”

  • どうぞよろしくお願いします (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu): Pay attention to the gentle “r” in よろしく and the rhythm between お願いします (onegaishimasu), which is often said clearly but smoothly. This phrase should sound sincere and humble.

Practicing these phrases aloud, ideally in context with conversation partners or AI tutors, drastically improves naturalness and fluency.

Cultural Notes: What to Avoid When Starting Meetings in Japanese

  • Avoid starting a meeting abruptly without greeting; it is considered rude and may unsettle participants.

  • Do not skip thanking attendees—this can imply a lack of appreciation, which is uncommon in Japanese business etiquette.

  • Using overly casual forms, such as plain こんにちは (Konnichiwa) without honorific language in formal meetings, may be perceived as disrespectful.

  • Jumping directly into agenda details without a phrase like それでは、会議を始めたいと思います (Soredewa, kaigi wo hajimetai to omoimasu) can seem brusque.

Example Dialogue: Starting a Meeting in Japanese

部長 (Buchou): おはようございます、皆さん。


皆さん: おはようございます。


部長: 皆さん、お集まりいただきありがとうございます。


部長: それでは、会議を始めたいと思います。


部長: 本日の議題に入ります。


部長: どうぞよろしくお願いします。

Translation:

Manager: Good morning, everyone.


Everyone: Good morning.


Manager: Thank you everyone for gathering.


Manager: Well then, I would like to start the meeting.


Manager: Let's get into today's agenda.


Manager: Thank you in advance (for your cooperation).

This dialogue represents a smooth, formal way to launch a meeting, mirroring typical Japanese workplace norms.

These foundational phrases and cultural practices provide a solid starting point for anyone preparing to engage in professional Japanese meetings. The combination of polite greetings, gratitude, and careful phrasing helps foster a respectful and effective communication environment from the very first moments.

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