Easy Guide to “Uchi” and “Soto” in Japanese Culture (内と外の関係)

個人の関係（Personal Relationships）：「内」の関係（Japanese In-groups）

個こ人じんの関かん係けい：「内うち」の関かん係けい（“Uchi: Japanese In-groups）
※敬けい語ごを使つかいません（Note: Honorifics are not used in close relationships）

家か族ぞく、友とも達だち、恋こい人びと等など（Family, Friends, Partners, etc.）

個人の関係（Personal Relationships）：「外」の関係（Japanese Out-groups）

個こ人じんの関かん係けい：「外そと」の関かん係けい（“Soto: Japanese Out-groups）
※敬けい語ごを使つかいます（Note：Honorifics are used in distant or formal relationships）

知しららない人ひと、目め上うえの人ひと、親したしくない人ひと等など（Strangers, Superiors, Someone you’re not close to, etc.）

ビジネスの関係（Business Relationships）：社内（Within the Company）

ビジネスの関かん係けい：社しゃ内ない（Within the Company: To Colleagues）
※部ぶ下かから上じょう司しへ敬けい語ごを使つかいます（Note: Subordinates use honorifics when speaking to superiors）

ビジネスの関係（Business Relationships）：社外（Outside the Company）

ビジネスの関かん係けい：社しゃ外がい（Outside the Company: To Clients and Partners)
※取とり引ひき先さきへ敬けい語ごを使つかいます（Note: Honorifics are used when speaking to clients or external partners）

「内うち」の人ひとには敬けい語ごを使つかいませんが「外そと」の人ひとには敬けい語ごを使つかいます。

Japanese people generally do not use honorific language with people in the “Uchi” (Japanese In-groups), but they do use it with those in the “Soto” (Japanese Out-groups).

「内うち」と「外そと」は、絶ぜっ対たい的てきなものではなく、状じょう況きょうによって変かわわります。

The relationship between “Uchi” (Japanese In-groups) and “Soto” (Japanese Out-groups) for Japanese people is not absolute. It changes depending on the situation.

Useful Japanese Words and Phrases for Business (日本語のビジネス単語)

Key business-related topics such as interview attire, interview tips, Japanese etiquette, business card exchange, and the concept of “uchi” (inside) and “soto” (outside) in Japanese communication are introduced in detail using tables and illustrations for clarity. Commonly used Japanese business terms are organized in alphabetical order, and business email writing is categorized by internal and external communication, with sample templates provided for each theme. To support understanding, each Japanese template is accompanied by a English translation. Frequently used words for daily life and travel can be found in the sections titled “Everyday Words” and “Travel Words.” A search bar is available at the top right of the page, allowing users to search in either Japanese or English. This site is intended to support Japanese language learners in improving their practical language skills.

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