失礼いたします
しつれいいたします
Excuse me / Pardon me.
POINT'Shitsurei shimasu' alone lacks politeness.
Interview/Jobs
Japanese Interview Manner Phrase Guide
From entering to exiting: 25 essential phrases and manners for Japanese interviews
This page helps foreign residents and long-term visitors handle "Japanese Interview Manner Phrase Guide" with daily Japanese phrases for living in Japan, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid. In Japanese interviews, manners are evaluated as heavily as what you say. Improper knock count, bow angle, seating timing, or exit behavior can sink even a brilliant motivation answer—the interviewer will mark you as 'lacking fundamentals' and pass. This page is the definitive guide for foreign applicants to fully master Japanese interview manner. From 'Shitsurei itashimasu' on entry to 'Arigatou gozaimashita' on exit, we cover 25 must-know phrases—paired with bow angle, gaze position, hand position, and voice tone. Common mistakes by Western applicants (extending a handshake, too much eye contact, sitting down before invited) are called out with concrete fixes. Based on interviews with 30+ Japanese HR directors, Synergia Editorial distills what makes interviewers think 'this person understands Japan'. Every phrase specifies the keigo level (sonkeigo / kenjougo / teineigo). Practice pronunciation, pauses, and intonation in the ECHO app—together with this guide, the risk of 'failing on manners' drops to near zero.
What this page helps you say in Japan
This page focuses on Japanese Interview Manner Phrase Guide and teaches useful Japanese phrases for daily life in Japan, including natural replies, polite alternatives, and practical wording for foreigners living in Japan.
What You'll Learn on This Page
- Golden rule: 3-knock entry + 'Shitsurei itashimasu' + 30° bow
- Sit only after 'Douzo'; say 'Shitsurei itashimasu' and bow
- Use bows by angle: 15° (greeting), 30° (formal), 45° (deepest)
- Exit: 'Honjitsu wa arigatou gozaimashita' + 45° bow
Practice Phrases (8 Total)
○○と申します。本日はよろしくお願いいたします
○○ともうします。ほんじつはよろしくおねがいいたします
My name is ○○. Thank you for today.
POINT'Kyou wa…' is too casual.
はい、失礼いたします
はい、しつれいいたします
Yes, I'll take a seat.
POINT'X desu' alone is rude.
お忙しい中、お時間をいただきありがとうございます
おいそがしいなか、おじかんをいただきありがとうございます
Thank you for your time despite your busy schedule.
POINTSitting silently is a manner violation.
本日はお話を伺えて光栄でした
ほんじつはおはなしをうかがえてこうえいでした
It was an honor to hear from you today.
POINT'Ryoukai desu' is rude.
ありがとうございました。失礼いたします
ありがとうございました。しつれいいたします
Thank you. Excuse me.
POINT'Wakarimashita' is slightly casual.
○○駅から参りました
○○えきからまいりました
I came from ○○ station.
POINT'Mou ikkai itte' is NG—use polite form.
恐れ入ります、こちらでお待ちしてもよろしいでしょうか
おそれいります、こちらでおまちしてもよろしいでしょうか
Excuse me, may I wait here?
POINTRepeating 'eeto' or 'ano' is NG.
Want to practice these phrases out loud?
ECHO app offers native audio and AI pronunciation feedback for real practice.
Practice with ECHO App →Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many knocks is correct?
A. Three knocks is the Japanese interview standard. Two is for restrooms, four is Western. Space them evenly—not too strong, not too soft. Wait for 'Douzo' or 'Ohairi kudasai' before opening. If there's no response after ~10 seconds, knock three times again.
Q. How do I choose the bow angle?
A. Three levels: (1) Eshaku (15°) for passing staff in hallways; (2) Keirei (30°) for interview greeting / thanks; (3) Saikeirei (45°) for exit or deepest thanks. Use 30° as default; switch to 45° at exit for extra politeness. During the bow, lower your gaze to about 1.5m ahead on the floor, hold for 1-2 seconds, then rise.
Q. Where do I put my bag?
A. Stand it upright on the floor beside your chair (opposite your dominant hand). Never on the chair back, on your lap, or on the desk. Use a self-standing A4 business bag. Remove your coat before entering, fold it inside-out small, place it on top of the bag.