Mispoken Japanese

Today was another good day at work. It was a little difficult because we had to make the Daily Special menu again, because there were many mistakes. I also learned that my Japanese is not at the right level of politeness.

I’ve been getting used to using もうしわけございません  instead of ごめんなさい.

I understand that かしこまりました is better than わかりました  .

But now it appears that when announcing customers  ‘きました’  is too basic, and instead I should say something like  ‘いらっしゃえました’ , or something that sounded like ‘gowanai mashita.’  I stuttered and whispered these new phrases all day! I hope tomorrow is better.

Also, when a customer asked for the bathroom I only said おくの右手 , and was reprimanded by a co-worker. I know that it should be おくの右手になります, but I felt too nervous to say the correct ending! That’s the difference between ‘down and to the right’ and ‘It is down and to the right.’

Little words can make a lot of difference!

I’m sorry to all the customers I might have insulted!  Everyone, wish me luck!

One Response

  1. I was putting myself in your shoes as I was reading this, haha. I think the levels of politeness are such an interesting part of the language, but it must be a bit intimidating when you’re not sure which form to use. Are you able to say ‘いらっしゃえました’ now? Please write it in romanji so that I may try saying it as well, LOL :)

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