飛び込み
tobikomi
The English phrase "walk-in" is translated into Japanese as 飛び込み (tobikomi).
飛び込み is used to describe customers or clients who arrive at a business, such as a clinic, salon or restaurant, without a prior appointment.
Meaning: without appointments before (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
tobikomi
Did you know?
- The word 飛び込み literally means 'to dive' or 'to plunge' into water. While it describes a 'walk-in' customer in business, it is the exact same word used to describe a diver performing a 'dive' into a swimming pool.
- In a professional context, 飛び込み営業 refers to 'door-to-door' or 'cold-call' sales where a salesperson visits a business unannounced.
- In Japanese, you might see this term used in the context of a 'tobikomi kisha', which refers to a 'flying reporter'. This is a journalist who rushes into a scene or a scandal without any prior notice or assignment, much like a walk-in client.
Examples in context
- 飛び込みでも大丈夫ですか？Is it okay to come without an appointment?
- 飛び込みの客が増えています。Tobikomi no kyaku ga fuete imasu.Walk-in customers are increasing.
- 飛び込みで相談に行きました。Tobikomi de soudan ni ikimashita.I went for a consultation without an appointment.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a busy hair salon.
- 結衣 Yuiあの美容院、飛び込みでも入れるかな？Ano biyouin, tobikomi demo haireru kana?I wonder if we can go into that hair salon without an appointment?
- 陽太 Yota今日は予約でいっぱいらしいよ。Kyou wa yoyaku de ippai rashii yo.I heard they are fully booked with appointments today.
- 結衣 Yui残念、陽太君の希望通りにはいかないね。Zannen, Yota-kun no kibou doori ni wa ikanai ne.That's too bad, it's not going the way you hoped, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota仕方ないね、また今度行こう。Shikatanai ne, mata kondo ikou.It can't be helped, let's go another time.
