Working in Japan but don't know what phrases to use? Didn't understand what a co-worker or boss said? In this article, we are going to share some Japanese phrases for you to use in your work, especially if you are in a factory.
Table of Contents
Tips for doing well in Japan's factories
Many Brazilians feel in their comfort zone due to the ease and lack of need to use the Japanese language in factory work. Still, it's important to learn at least the basics like hiragana and katakana, in addition to basic words like lengths.
A cultural aspect in Japan is that you have to do things the way you're told, without taking shortcuts or using things that might make the job easier. If you deviate from the orderly pattern, you are likely to get into some trouble.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is formality. In the Japanese language there are several ways to express the same thing. It all depends on the occasion or person you are talking to. It is best to use the most polite way possible to avoid problems in the workplace.
In factories and workplaces there is a hierarchy of roles or positions called yakushoku [役職]. The positions are Kaichoo, Shachoo, Senmu, Joumu, Buchoo, Jichoo, kachoo, Kakarichoo, Shunin and ect.
Blacklist – Basic behavior in the corporate world of Japan. Consisting of report que significa reportar, what does it mean to inform and soudan what does it mean to consult. There are 3 points that you should always give total importance to.
Below we will leave some quick trivia and also some useful links to articles related to work and factories.
- As fábricas em japonês são chamadas de koujou [工場];
- Operário de fábrica se diz koujou roudousha [工場労働者];
- Punctuality is mandatory in Japanese culture;
- If you hear "hayaku" [早く], then run, it means quickly.
- Complete article about overtime in Japan;
- Kaizen - Method to streamline productivity;
- The negative side of working in factories;
The 10 most important expressions at work
The 10 most important expressions, words or phrases you need to learn in Japanese in the workplace are:
Good morning! – Learning Japanese greetings is a must. The Japanese are polite, as much as the atmosphere in the factory can be a little cold, always try to surprise and be a kind person, greeting each one of them.
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu - Before any activity or task, or when asking someone for help or favor, always to say Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu.
Thank you very much – Giving thanks is a fundamental part of Japanese culture. The Japanese tend to thank you for almost everything, or even for no reason. Always to show gratitude for the help you get from your coworkers.
Ganbarimashou - It means let's strive together, good luck to all. Kind of an incentive, it can mean hard, try hard and stuff like that.
Osewa ni Narimasu – It can mean many things and has many uses, but it is a way of thanking you for your , kindness, work and cooperation provided either in the past, ongoing or future. You can add the always to thank you for always being there to help.
Otsukare sama deshita! – Usually used after work to thank you for the work done. It's like a thank you for your hard work. Can be used with co-workers who are leaving or finishing a job. Gokurou-sama is another similar word, but is used by superiors and bosses to talk to subordinates.
Onegai Shimasu and Kudasai – There are 2 ways to ask please, it is always good to say these words in different situations. The article marked in the title of these words will tell you a little about the difference between them.
Gochui Kudasai – Means please be careful, a perfect expression in various situations during factory work.
Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu – In case you have to leave before your co-workers, it's good to always say this expression that literally means sorry for leaving before you.
Wakarimashita – In a factory you will hear this expression a lot. It states that you understood what was commanded or commanded. It literally means I got it.
Words and expressions related to work
- Jinji-ido [人事異動] - Mudanças de pessoal - mudar departamentos dentro de uma empresa;
- Naitei [内定] - Informação decisiva - Pouco antes de fazer contrato de trabalho;
- Naiji [内示] - Notificação não oficial - anúncio privado sobre as mudanças dentro de uma empresa;
- Teinen [定年] - Idade de aposentadoria - geralmente 60;
- Sasen [左遷] - Relegação - rebaixamento;
- Shookaku or Shooshin [昇格・昇進] - Promoção;
- Eiten [栄転] - Promoção num posto mais elevado;
- Shushinkoyoo [終身雇用] - Emprego vitalício;
- Shokui [職位] - Título - post ou status dentro de uma empresa;
- Kamihannki [上半期] - A primeira metade do ano - Kamiki;
- Shimohanki [下半期] - A segunda metade do ano - Shimoki;
- Jooshi [上司] - Superior - Chefe ou alguém mais acima;
- Shitauke [下請け] - Subcontratar - trabalho subcontratação;
- Jinkenhi [人件費] - Custo do trabalho;
- Kikakusho [企画書] - proposta de projeto;
- Nekuzure [値崩れ] - colapso dos preços;
- Saimu [債務] - Dívida;
- Shueki [収益] - Ganhos;
- Torihikisaki [取引先] - Cliente - conexão de negócios;
- Juchuu [受注] - aceitação da ordem;
- Shoohinkaitentitsu [商品回転率] - taxa de rotação da mercadoria;
- Eigyoonendo [営業年度] - Ano fiscal (começa em abril);
- Zaiko [在庫] - estoque;
- Yakin [夜勤] - Turno da noite;
- Kogaisha [子会社] - Empresa subsidiária - empresa afiliada;
- Shijoochoosa [市場調査] - Pesquisa de marketing;
- Tetsuya [徹夜] - ficar à noite toda;
- Teate [手当] - mesada - subsídio como abono de família;
- Tooshi [投資] - Investimento;
- Shisha [支社] - Filial - filial;
- Nikkin [日勤] - Turno do dia;
- Hayade [早出] - precocidade - ao trabalho mais cedo;
- Gekkyu or Kyuuyo [月給・給与] - Salário - Pagamento mensal;
- Yuukyu [有給| - Folga remunerada; Ferias remuneradas;
- Kyuka [休暇] - Folga remunerada; Ferias remuneradas; Licença de ausência;
- Honsha [本社] - Sede corporativa; Empresa matriz; Licença de ausência;
- Zangyo [残業] - Hora-extra;
- Kessan [決算] - Fechamento de contas do ano fiscal;
- Hacchuu [発注] - Ordem;
- Keiretsugaisha [系列会社] - Empresa subsidiária - Empresas aliadas menores;
- Nouki [納期] - Data de entrega - data de entrega;
- Mitsumori [見積り] - Estimativa;
- Oyagaisha [親会社] - matriz;
- Shihon [資本] - O capital;
- Akaji [赤字] - Déficit - resultados negativos;
- Taisyokukin [退職金] - mesada aposentadoria - dinheiro da aposentadoria;
- Kuroji [黒字] - Excedente - valor positivo;
Factory Work - Japanese Word List
Below we will share a list of words to improve your vocabulary in factories and other jobs in Japan. Hope you like it:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| (Age Limit) Retirement | （定年）退職 | (teinenn) taishoku |
| new employee | （新入）社員 | (shinnnyuu) shainn |
| (Paid) leave of absence | （有給）休暇 | (yuukyuu) kyuuka |
| salary increase | 昇給 | shoukyuu |
| stamp | 印鑑・判子 | innkann / hannko |
| business card | 名刺 | meishi |
| customers / customers | 顧客 | kokyaku |
| counselor | 相談役・顧問 | soudannyaku / komonn |
| counter | 経理 | keiri |
| dismissal | 解雇 | kaiko |
| employee | 従業員 | juugyouinn |
| hired employee | 契約社員 | keiyaku’shainn |
| customer entertainment | 接待 | settai |
| office | 営業所 | eigyousho |
| estimate | 見積書 | mitsumorisho |
| executive | 重役・役員 | juuyaku / yakuinn |
| invoice | 請求書 | seikyuusho |
| branch | 支社 | shisha |
| employees | スタッフ | sutaffu |
| factory | 工場 | koujou |
| department manager | 部長 | buchou |
| section manager | 課長 | kachou |
| hourly pay | 時給 | jikyuu |
| part time job | アルバイト／パート | arubaito / Pa-to |
| company personnel | 会社員 | kaishainn |
| president | 会長 | kaichou |
| President | 社長 | shachou |
| promotion | 昇進 | shoushinn |
| receipt | 領収書 | ryoushuusho |
| work regulations | 就業規則 | shuugyou’kisoku |
| leaving early | 早退 | soutai |
| wage | 給料 | kyuuryou |
| secretary | 秘書 | hisho |
| delayed | 遅刻 | chikoku |
| overwork time | 残業 | zanngyou |
| Training | 研修 | kennshuu |
| sales | 営業 | eigyou |
| vice president | 副社長 | fuku’shachou |
