Sometimes you would feel uneasy when refusing someone’s request, apologizing for not being able to do something, or asking someone for help. To make communication go smoothly, you can add one phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

You use keigo to a superior or senior person and the one you have first met. *The opposite is called ため口（ぐち）, which you cannot use in situations above because it is rude to use ため口 except for when you talk with your friends or family.

There are 12 basic greetings in business situation in Japan. How many greetings do you know? And do you understand in which situation you should use them?