Professional Japanese N3 - Business Conversation & Grammar

Professional Japanese at the N3 level marks the transition from daily conversational skills to the formal, goal-oriented communication required in Japanese workplaces. At this stage, you move beyond basic politeness into the nuanced world of Keigo (honorific language), which is essential for building trust and maintaining professional hierarchy. 

Essential Business Conversation Skills

Business Japanese differs from daily conversation by emphasizing indirectness, deference, and clarity of position. Key focus areas for N3 

Keigo Mastery: Understanding the three-tier system is critical:

• Sonkeigo (Respectful): Used to elevate the status of clients or superiors (e.g., Gohokoku o okaki ni narimashita).
• Kenjougo (Humble): Used to lower your own status, often when discussing your achievements or actions (e.g., Anna to moshimasu).
• Teineigo (Polite): Standard polite endings like desu and masu used with colleagues or strangers.

Situational Phrases:

• Self-Introductions (Jikoshoukai): Moving from "Anna desu" to "Anna to moshimasu" to show professionalism.
• Telephone Etiquette: Answering with "Hoshino (Company Name) de gozaimasu" and using specific phrases to connect callers or ask them to wait.
• Meetings & Requests: Using soft, indirect suggestions like "How is your schedule?" instead of direct questions.