In Japanese culture, meeting your in-laws is a significant event that requires finesse and respect. Mastering the appropriate phrases can help you navigate this encounter smoothly and leave a lasting positive impression. Here are 30 advanced Japanese phrases categorized for various stages of the meeting:
Greetings & Introductions
1. 御目にかかれて光栄です (Gomei ni kakarete kōei desu) - goh-mei ni kah-kah-reh-teh koh-ei desu
- Translation: It is an honor to meet you. (Formal)
- Usage: Offered as a formal greeting upon meeting your in-laws for the first time.
2. 奥様/旦那様 (Okusan/Danna-sama) - oh-koo-san/dan-nah-sama
- Translation: Madam/Sir (Formal way to address your partner's parent)
- Usage: Polite way to address your partner's parent in a formal setting.
3. ずっとお話を伺いたかったです (Zutto o-hanashi o ukagaitakatta desu)
- itsu demo oh-hanashi ukeh-tah-mah-wah-ri taku goshitmashita
- Translation: I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time.
- Usage: Express excitement and anticipation for the meeting.
Making a Good Impression
4. ご両親様 (Go-ryōshin-sama) - goh-ryoh-shin-sama
- Translation: Your parents (Formal way to refer to your partner's parents)
- Usage: Respectfully address your partner's parents in conversation.
5. どうぞよろしくお願いたします (Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)
- doh-zoh yoh-roh-shiku oh-neh-gai itashimasu
- Translation: Please take care of me. (Formal request for their support)
- Usage: Politely request their goodwill and support during your visit.
6. ご家族皆様でお元気でお過ごしですか (Go-kazoku mina-sama de ogenki de o-sugoshi desu ka)
- goh-kah-zoku mih-nah-sama de oh-genki de oh-suh-gohshi desu ka
- Translation: Are all the family members doing well?
- Usage: Show genuine interest in their family's well-being.
7. 御手土産 (Omiyage) - oh-miy-ah-geh
- Translation: A small gift brought as a token of appreciation (useful before the visit)
- Usage: Present a thoughtful gift as a gesture of appreciation for their hospitality.
Compliments & Appreciation
8. お料理がとてもおいしかったです (O-ryōri ga totemo oishikatta desu)
- oh-ryoh-ri ga toh-teh-moh oh-ishii deshita
- Translation: The food was very delicious.
- Usage: Express appreciation for the delicious meal they have prepared.
9. 素敵なご自宅ですね (Suteki na gojūtaku desu ne)
- soo-teh-ki nah goh-joo-taku desu ne
- Translation: You have a lovely home.
- Usage: Offer a compliment on their beautiful home to create a positive atmosphere.
10. おもてなし (Omotenashi) - oh-moh-teh-nah-shi
- Translation: Hospitality (Appreciate their hosting)
- Usage: Acknowledge and appreciate their warm hospitality.
Conversation Starters
11. 趣味 (Shumi) - shu-mi
- Translation: Hobby (Ask about their hobbies)
- Usage: Initiate conversation by asking about their interests and hobbies.
12. お仕事 (Oshigoto) - oh-shih-goh-toh
- Translation: Work (Ask about their professions, but be mindful of sensitive topics)
- Usage: Inquire about their occupations respectfully.
13. お子様 (O-kodomo-sama) - oh-koh-doh-moh-sama
- Translation: Your child(ren) (If they have other children)
- Usage: Show interest in their children if they have any.
14. 日本 (Nihon) - ni-hon
- Translation: Japan (Talk about interesting aspects of Japanese culture)
- Usage: Discuss Japanese culture or share experiences related to Japan.
Expressing Interest in the Relationship
15. [Partner's name] さんの話をよく聞いていました (Sono hito no hanashi o yoku kiite imashita)
- [partner's name] san no hanashi o yoku kiite imashita
- Translation: I've heard a lot about you from [partner's name].
- Usage: Acknowledge previous discussions about them with your partner.
16. [Partner's name] さんを大切にしていきたいと思っています (Sono hito o taisetsu ni shite ikitai to omoimasu)
- [partner's name] san o taisetsu ni shite ikitai to omoimasu
- Translation: I want to cherish [partner's name].
- Usage: Express your commitment to valuing and respecting your partner.
17. 末永くよろしくお願いいたします (Matsubaruku yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)
- matsubaruku yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
- Translation: Please take care of us in the future. (Expressing a long-term commitment)
- Usage: Convey your desire for a lasting relationship with their family.
Offering Help
18. お手伝いできることがあればおっしゃってください (Otetsudai dekiru koto ga areba osshai kudasai)
- oh-teh-tsudai dekiru koto ga areba osshai kudasai
- Translation: Please let me know if there's anything I can help with.
- Usage: Offer your assistance politely if needed.
19. ご負担 (Gobutan) - goh-bu-tan
- Translation: Burden (Avoid
being a burden during)
- Usage: Show consideration by avoiding being a burden during your stay.
Seeking Advice & Building Rapport
20. ご助言 (Gojogen) - goh-joh-gen
- Translation: Advice (Seek their guidance on life or relationships)
- Usage: Respectfully ask for their wisdom and advice on various matters.
21. 経験 (Keiken) - kei-ken
- Translation: Experience (Learn from their experiences)
- Usage: Show interest in learning from their life experiences.
22. いつかお時間があれば (Itsuka ojikan ga areba) - itsu ka oh-ji-kan ga ah-re-ba
- Translation: If you have time someday (Invite them for outings or meals to build a bond)
- Usage: Extend an invitation for future outings to strengthen your relationship.
Showing Respect & Understanding
23. 失礼いたします (Shitsurei itashimasu) - shiht-surei itashimasu
- Translation: Excuse me. (When leaving or interrupting)
- Usage: Apologize politely when leaving or interrupting a conversation.
24. ご気分を害されたらお詫び申し上げます (Gokigen o gai sareta nara oshie wabi mōshiagemasu)
- goh-ki-gen o gai sa reta nara oh-shie wabi moushiagemasu
- Translation: I apologize if I have offended you in any way.
- Usage: Offer a sincere apology if you unintentionally offend them.
25. どうぞお気遣いなく (Dōzo okizukai naku) - doh-zoh oh-ki-zukai naku
- Translation: Please don't feel obligated. (When offered something)
- Usage: Politely decline offers without making them feel obligated.
Expressing Gratitude
26. 温かいお心遣い本当にありがとうございます (Atatakai o-kokorozukai hontō ni arigatōgozaimasu)
- atatakai oh-koh-koh-roh-zukai hontou ni arigatougozaimasu
- Translation: Thank you so much for your warmth and kindness.
- Usage: Express heartfelt gratitude for their hospitality.
27. またお会いできることを楽しみにしています (Mata o-ai dekiru koto o tanoshimi ni shite imasu)
- mata oh-ai dekiru koto o tanoshimi ni shite imasu
- Translation: I look forward to seeing you again.
- Usage: Express anticipation for future meetings with sincerity.
28. お世話になりました (Osewa ni narimashita) - oh-seh-wa ni nah-ri-mashita
- Translation: Thank you for taking care of me. (Expressing gratitude for their hospitality)
- Usage: Show appreciation for their care and hospitality during your visit.
Meeting your in-laws is a significant moment that requires respect, courtesy, and genuine interest in building a positive relationship. By mastering these 30 advanced Japanese phrases, you can navigate the encounter with grace and leave a lasting impression on your partner's family.
From formal greetings to expressions of gratitude, each phrase is carefully crafted to convey respect, appreciation, and a desire to connect. Initiating conversations, seeking advice, and offering assistance demonstrate your sincerity and willingness to foster a meaningful relationship with your in-laws.
Remember, sincerity and humility are key. Speak from the heart, show genuine interest in their lives, and express gratitude for their hospitality. By doing so, you'll not only make a good impression but also lay the foundation for a strong and harmonious relationship with your partner's family.
So, approach the meeting with confidence, armed with these advanced Japanese phrases, and embrace the opportunity to build bridges and create lasting bonds with your in-laws. Enjoy the journey of getting to know them and cherish the moments shared together.