商談
shōdan
The Japanese term for "business meeting" is 商談 (shōdan).
商談 refers specifically to a meeting where parties negotiate the terms of a commercial deal. To express the action of holding or conducting such a negotiation, you can use the phrase 商談を行う. You can also describe a state of being currently in a business negotiation by adding the suffix 中 to create 商談中.
Which one should you use?
While 商談 is used for commercial negotiations or closing deals, the term 会議 refers to a more general meeting or conference used for discussion.
How do you pronounce it?
shōdan
When do people say it?
In a Japanese business setting, it is customary to bow and exchange business cards using both hands when greeting others.
Did you know?
- During a 商談, it is common to see 'nemawashi', a process of quietly prepping all stakeholders individually before the official meeting begins.
- While 商談 is for negotiations, many Japanese business deals are actually finalized during 接待, which are formal dinners or drinks after hours.
- In a 商談, the most senior person usually sits furthest from the door, which is considered the 'power seat' or 上座.
Examples in context
- 来週の会議には参加しますI will attend the meeting next week.
- 商談会を申し込むTo propose a business meeting.
- 打ち合わせを早めに終わらせましょうLet's finish the meeting early.
- 今日はミーティングがありますWe have a meeting today.
- 明日は午後に商談があります。Ashita wa gogo ni shōdan ga arimasu.There is a business meeting tomorrow afternoon.
- 商談の内容をまとめてください。Shōdan no naiyō o matometekudasai.Please summarize the details of the business meeting.
- 今日の商談はうまくいきました。Kyō no shōdan wa umaku ikimashita.Today's business meeting went well.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in a cafe after work.
- 美咲 Misaki今日の商談はどうでしたか？Kyō no shōdan wa dō deshita ka?How was the business meeting today?
- 陽太 Yotaとてもいい結果でしたよ。Totemo ii kekka deshita yo.It was a very good result.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは本当にすごいですね。Yōta-san wa hontō ni sugoi desu ne.You are truly amazing, Yota.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます、美咲さん。Arigatō gozaimasu, Misaki-san.Thank you, Misaki.
