Blog from Mehul Shah

In Japan, when you call an end of a day in office, leave a party, or leave a conversation with a stranger, it is a good manner to excuse yourself and display your thoughtfulness for those who can't leave the place yet.

The key phrase to say to your friends or co-workers while leaving is: "Osaki ni shitsure shimasu."
It means, "Pardon me, I would like to excuse myself first.”

You can use this phrase to your colleagues, and superior in office and business settings, as well as to your friends in party who are staying behind.

Next comes, how others will respond to it, or how you should respond when someone says "Osaki ni shitsure shimasu." . Reply varies depending upon the social or work place hierarchy.

Friends or colleague responds : "Otsukare sama deshita"
It means,  You must be tired from hard work.

Superior responds: "gokuro sama deshita"
It means, Thank you for your hard work.

I am learning a lot about Japan, and its culture from my two colleagues who are informally my sensei. Per my colleague, "Gokuro sama deshita" is more polite then "Otsukare sama deshita".

Have fun during this long weekend ( I am still trying to find out how to say "have a good weekend" in Nihongo, if you know it then, oshiete kudasai)

Mata Ne,
Mehul