「了解です」: Careful not to 'lose points' with your boss! 😱

I'm sure you've used or heard「了解です」(ryoukai desu) many times to mean "OK / I understand / Roger that!". In friendships and with close colleagues, this is a completely natural way to speak.

But... when you say this to a superior or a customer, the atmosphere suddenly becomes a little "awkward." Why is that? 🤔

Why is「了解です」not okay?

To put it simply,「了解」(ryoukai) inherently carries the nuance of a superior evaluating and confirming information for a subordinate. It's like a general saying "Roger!" after receiving a report.

Therefore, when you use「了解です」with your boss, even with the polite「です」, it still implicitly means "Ah, I have understood and approved of your instructions." It sounds a bit like you're on equal footing and lacks humility, doesn't it? 😅

So how do you say it "correctly"? ✨

To show respect and humility in the workplace, replace「了解です」with these two "treasures":

1. 「承知いたしました」(Shouchi itashimashita)

This is the golden choice and the safest when you receive instructions or requests from a superior or customer.

• 承知 (shouchi): Means "to receive, to be aware of" in a formal way.
• いたしました: Is the humble form of「しました」.

➡️ The whole sentence expresses: "I have humbly received/understood it."

Example:

🧑‍💼 Boss: 「この資料、明日までに修正お願いできる？」 (Kono shiryou, ashita made ni shuusei onegai dekiru?) - Can you fix this document for me by tomorrow?

✅ You: 「はい、承知いたしました。」 (Hai, shouchi itashimashita.) - Yes, I understand.

2. 「かしこまりました」(Kashikomarimashita)

This is also an extremely polite way of speaking, often heard in the service industry, restaurants, and hotels. However, it's also perfectly fine to use in a company.

「かしこまりました」not only means "I understand," but also implies "I will obey and carry it out immediately." It shows a willing and positive attitude towards receiving a task.

Example:

🧑‍💻 Customer: 「A商品を３つ、予約お願いします。」(A shouhin wo mittsu, yoyaku onegaishimasu.) - Please reserve three units of product A for me.

✅ You: 「はい、かしこまりました。」 (Hai, kashikomarimashita.) - Yes, I understand.

Quick summary 💡

Just a small change in word choice can make a huge professional impression. Try applying it starting today! 😉