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During the course of doing business in Japan, and I’m not talking conversation teaching or a three month stint in an AEON office, you will start to hear phrases or words that you won’t recognize and certainly won’t get from any language school or book.

In fact some of these words tend to be so unique that your favorite on-line translator will not be able to give yous the correct meaning, and even your Japanese friends may have never heard these words.

The first of these that I want to bring to your attention is ほうちプレイ, (放置プレイ), it’s pronounced “Houchi-play”. Basically this term is used to describe a state or status of something… or lack there of…
It is basically describing that the current situation has been “Left to Chance” , which in a Japanese business environment is really not a good thing… and if you hear these words when your next tasks are being described to you know you are in for some late nights and Low Bowing Apologies.

The next phrase has such a powerful connotation, so much so that if you hear this word to describe you, you know it’s time to pack your bags and leave Japan, or go teach at and English school as your current job role is coming to a close. The phrase is おちょうしもの, お調子者, it’s pronounced “o chou shi mono”. You will probably never hear this said to your face, rather the someone talking about you to another person, hopefully not your boss. It means that what your are saying or have said in the past is only said because you think that is what the customer wants you to say, and that is not a good thing in Japan. It makes you appear weak, a liar and will SAY anything to win the deal…… and you will be found out in an instant as the slow, detailed methodical way Japanese do business ensures any attempt at BS business tactics are uncovered.

Commit these words to memory, listen carefully and hope you never hear them.

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This post is tagged Advanced Japanese words, Japanese Language