Japanese meetings require more than knowing vocabulary. You need phrases for opening, confirming information, expressing an opinion, disagreeing carefully, assigning actions and closing the discussion.
This guide gives Nepali workers a practical set of phrases that can be adapted to in-person and online meetings.
Before the Meeting
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 本日はよろしくお願いいたします。 | Honjitsu wa yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. | Thank you for your time today / I look forward to working with you. |
| 資料をお配りします。 | Shiryō o okubari shimasu. | I will distribute the materials. |
| こちらが本日の議題です。 | Kochira ga honjitsu no gidai desu. | These are today’s agenda items. |
| 始めてもよろしいでしょうか。 | Hajimete mo yoroshii deshō ka. | May we begin? |
Opening and Setting the Agenda
- それでは、会議を始めます。— Let us begin the meeting.
- まず、〇〇について確認します。— First, we will confirm 〇〇.
- 本日の目的は〇〇です。— Today’s objective is 〇〇.
- 最後に、今後の対応を決めたいと思います。— Finally, I would like us to decide the next steps.
Giving an Opinion
- 私の意見では、〇〇がよいと思います。— In my opinion, 〇〇 would be good.
- 〇〇という方法はいかがでしょうか。— How about the method of 〇〇?
- この点については、もう少し検討が必要だと思います。— I think this point needs more consideration.
- 理由は二つあります。— There are two reasons.
- 具体的には、〇〇です。— Specifically, it is 〇〇.
Agreeing
- 私もそう思います。— I think so too.
- その意見に賛成です。— I agree with that opinion.
- おっしゃるとおりです。— That is exactly as you say.
- その方向で進めるのがよいと思います。— I think it would be good to proceed in that direction.
Disagreeing or Raising a Concern
In formal meetings, soften disagreement and explain the reason. Avoid saying only “No.”
- 基本的には賛成ですが、一点確認したいことがあります。— I generally agree, but I have one point to confirm.
- 少し違う見方もあると思います。— I think there may be another way to view it.
- その方法ですと、〇〇という問題が出る可能性があります。— With that method, there may be a problem of 〇〇.
- 別の案も検討してはいかがでしょうか。— Could we also consider another option?
Asking for Clarification
- もう一度ご説明いただけますか。— Could you explain that once more?
- 〇〇という意味でしょうか。— Do you mean 〇〇?
- 具体的には、どのようなことでしょうか。— What specifically does that involve?
- 確認ですが、期限は金曜日まででよろしいでしょうか。— To confirm, is the deadline Friday?
- この数字は最新のものでしょうか。— Is this the latest figure?
Interrupting Politely
- 恐れ入りますが、一点よろしいでしょうか。— Excuse me, may I raise one point?
- 途中で申し訳ありません。— Sorry to interrupt.
- 関連して、確認したいことがあります。— Related to that, I have something to confirm.
Reporting Progress
- 現在、〇〇まで完了しています。— At present, 〇〇 has been completed.
- 予定どおり進んでいます。— It is progressing as scheduled.
- 少し遅れています。— It is slightly delayed.
- 原因を確認しています。— We are checking the cause.
- 〇日までに対応する予定です。— We plan to address it by the 〇th.
Assigning Actions and Deadlines
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| この件は私が担当します。 | I will be responsible for this matter. |
| 〇〇さんにお願いしてもよろしいでしょうか。 | May we ask 〇〇-san to handle it? |
| 期限は〇月〇日です。 | The deadline is 〇 month 〇 day. |
| 進捗はメールで共有します。 | I will share the progress by email. |
| 次回までに確認しておきます。 | I will check it before the next meeting. |
Summarising and Closing
- 本日の決定事項を確認します。— Let us confirm today’s decisions.
- 〇〇については、△△さんが対応します。— Regarding 〇〇, △△-san will handle it.
- 次回の会議は〇月〇日です。— The next meeting is on 〇 month 〇 day.
- ほかにご意見はありますか。— Are there any other opinions?
- 本日はありがとうございました。— Thank you very much for today.
- 以上で会議を終了します。— This concludes the meeting.
Online Meeting Phrases
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 音声は聞こえていますか。 | Can you hear the audio? |
| 画面は見えていますか。 | Can you see the screen? |
| 少し音声が途切れています。 | The audio is breaking up slightly. |
| 資料を画面共有します。 | I will share the material on screen. |
| チャットに送ります。 | I will send it in the chat. |
| 一度入り直します。 | I will leave and rejoin once. |
Meeting Preparation Checklist
- Read the agenda and identify unfamiliar words.
- Prepare one sentence for your progress, concern and next action.
- Write exact numbers, dates and names so you do not rely on memory.
- Confirm the meeting link, materials and equipment beforehand.
- Join or arrive according to the organisation’s instructions.
- Record decisions and responsible people accurately.
After the Meeting
A useful follow-up message includes the meeting date, participants, decisions, assigned actions and deadlines. When unsure, confirm rather than silently guessing.
本日の会議内容について、決定事項を共有いたします。
Honjitsu no kaigi naiyō ni tsuite, kettei jikō o kyōyū itashimasu.
I am sharing the decisions from today’s meeting.
Common Mistakes
- Agreeing without understanding the task or deadline
- Using difficult keigo incorrectly instead of clear polite Japanese
- Giving a long answer before stating the main point
- Failing to confirm who is responsible for the next action
- Leaving the meeting without recording changes to the original plan
Continue with Workplace Japanese
Combine meeting phrases with keigo and professional email writing.