keigoLesson 3

Opening a Bank Account — Senior colleague

Situation

Where
A bank branch
Who
You and a senior colleague
Goal
To open a new bank account.

Conversation

Show

A

I'd like to open an account.

B

Thank you. Do you have your residence card and seal?

A

I don't have a seal. Is a signature okay?

B

At our bank, opening with a signature is possible. Please fill this in.

A

Understood. Thank you.

Vocabulary (10)

kouza

bank account

口座を開設する = "to open an account."

kaisetsu

opening / establishing

For accounts and services.

inkan

personal seal / stamp

Often used instead of a signature in Japan.

sain

signature

サインでも大丈夫ですか = "is a signature okay?"

toukou

our bank

Formal in-group reference by bank staff.

kanou

possible

開設可能 = "possible to open."

otsukaresamadesu

thank you for your work

The all-purpose workplace greeting, used like hello and goodbye between coworkers.

yoroshikuonegaishimasu

thank you in advance

Closes most requests and emails; sets a cooperative tone.

kakunin

confirmation / check

Daily-use word: ご確認お願いします means "please check."

shouchishimashita

understood (polite)

Politer than 分かりました; use with managers and clients.

Grammar

Verb stem + たいのですが

Polite request: 開設したいのですが.

Noun + でも大丈夫ですか

Asks if an alternative is acceptable.

ご + Noun + をお願いします

Polite request: ご記入をお願いします.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

A personal seal (印鑑) is traditional, but many banks now accept signatures. Ask in advance which you need.

Formality level

Keigo. Bank staff use 当行 for "our bank" — note the formal in-group term.

Common mistake

You often need a residence card and sometimes a phone number registered in Japan — bring both.

Quiz

What does "口座" mean?

What does "開設" mean?

What does "印鑑" mean?

What does "サイン" mean?

What does "当行" mean?

What does "可能" mean?

How is the pattern "〜たいのですが" used?

How is the pattern "〜でも大丈夫ですか" used?

How is the pattern "ご〜をお願いします" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

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