Formal replies at work
Conversation phrases, Stage 4chunk 19 of 23Errands and service
Answer a request or instruction at work with understood, I'll check, I'll consider it or you're right.
- shouchi shimashitaunderstood; certainly, will do
- kakunin shimasuI'll check
- kentou shimasuI'll think it over; we'll consider it
- ossharu toori desuyou're quite right; exactly as you say
- oyaku ni taterube of help (humble)
Mix-ups Kentou shimasu often means a polite no, unlike kakunin shimasu, which promises a real check.
shouchi shimashita
understood; certainly, will do
A polite yes to an instruction or request at work or from a customer.
Wakarimashita is fine with coworkers; kashikomarimashita is the shop-staff version.
shouchi shimashita. ashita made ni okurimasu.
Understood. I'll send it by tomorrow.
承知しました。明日までに送ります。
Written 承知しました · しょうちしましたWho you say it and hear itHeard 142× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
kakunin shimasu
I'll check
Said when you need to look something up or ask someone before answering; staff say it a lot.
Casual: chotto mite miru. Staff often say kakunin itashimasu.
sumimasen, chotto kakunin shimasu ne.
Sorry, let me just check.
すみません、ちょっと確認しますね。
Written 確認します · かくにんしますWho you say it and hear itHeard 105× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
kentou shimasu
I'll think it over; we'll consider it
A business reply to a proposal or sales pitch; often a soft no.
Don't read it as a yes; a real yes sounds like zehi or onegai shimasu.
sou desu ne, chotto kentou shimasu.
Hmm, let me think it over.
そうですね、ちょっと検討します。
Written 検討します · けんとうしますWho you say it and hear itHeard 19× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ossharu toori desu
you're quite right; exactly as you say
Respectful agreement to a boss, client or customer, often before an apology or a fix.
ossharu is the respectful form of iu (say). Among friends, sono toori is enough.
ossharu toori desu. sugu ni naoshimasu.
You're quite right. I'll fix it right away.
おっしゃるとおりです。すぐに直します。
Written おっしゃるとおりですWho you say it and hear itHeard 17× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
oyaku ni tateru
polite oyaku ni tatemasu
be of help (humble)
Humble way to talk about your own help, usually in oyaku ni tatete ureshii (glad I could help).
Plain yaku ni tatsu means 'be useful': kono apuri, yaku ni tatsu yo.
oyaku ni tatete yokatta. mata itsu demo itte ne.
Glad I could help. Ask me anytime.
お役に立ててよかった。またいつでも言ってね。
oyaku ni tatete ureshii desu. mata itsu demo douzo.
I'm glad I could help. Feel free to ask anytime.
お役に立ててうれしいです。またいつでもどうぞ。
Written お役に立てる · おやくにたてる · お役に立てますWho you say itHeard 25× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles