Japanese business language has four ways to say “our company” or “your company” — 当社 (tousha), 弊社 (heisha), 御社 (onsha), and 貴社 (kisha). Using the wrong one is one of the most common mistakes in business Japanese, and it can come across as rude or unprofessional. The key is understanding who is speaking, who they are speaking to, and whether it is spoken or written. This guide explains each word clearly.
YukaRei, my teacher mentioned tousha and heisha vs onsha vs kisha today. What’s the difference?
ReiGreat question! Both come up a lot in everyday Japanese. The trick is knowing which context calls for which — let me show you!
At a Glance: 当社 / 弊社 / 御社 / 貴社
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Who uses it | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 当社 (tousha) | とうしゃ | Our company | Speaker’s own company | Polite (teineigo) |
| 弊社 (heisha) | へいしゃ | Our humble company | Speaker’s own company | Very formal / humble (kenjougo) |
| 御社 (onsha) | おんしゃ | Your company | Listener’s company | Formal — spoken |
| 貴社 (kisha) | きしゃ | Your esteemed company | Listener’s company | Formal — written |
当社 (tousha) — Our Company (Internal / Polite)
当社 means “our company” and belongs to the polite language level (teineigo). It is the appropriate word when talking about your own company in an internal context — for example, a manager explaining the company to new employees, or a colleague referring to the company in a meeting among staff.
When speaking to someone outside your company, 弊社 is usually more appropriate because it shows more humility. But 当社 is not wrong in external contexts — it depends on how humble you want to sound.
Example 1 — internal briefing:
当社は東京に本社を置いています。
Tousha wa Tokyo ni honsha wo oite imasu.
Our company has its headquarters in Tokyo.
Example 2 — website or brochure:
当社の製品一覧はこちらをご覧ください。
Tousha no seihin ichiran wa kochira wo goran kudasai.
Please see here for our company’s product list.
Example 3 — general reference:
当社はお客様の満足を最優先にしています。
Tousha wa okyakusama no manzoku wo saiyuusen ni shite imasu.
Our company prioritizes customer satisfaction above all.
YukaI see… so context really matters with tousha? It’s not just about the literal meaning?
ReiRight! Japanese often works that way. tousha especially has nuances that go beyond a direct translation — keep that in mind.
弊社 (heisha) — Our Humble Company (External / Very Formal)
弊社 is the humble language (kenjougo) way to say “our company.” The character 弊 (hei) carries the meaning of “humble” or “inferior,” which is a deliberate act of linguistic modesty. By lowering the status of your own company, you elevate the other party.
Use 弊社 when writing emails or speaking to people at a different company, or in any external-facing formal communication. It is the most polite way to refer to your own company. Do not use it internally (among your own colleagues) as it sounds overly stiff in that context.
Example 1 — business email:
弊社の担当者より折り返しご連絡いたします。
Heisha no tantousha yori orikaeshi go-renraku itashimasu.
Our person in charge will contact you back shortly.
Example 2 — formal introduction:
弊社は創業30年の老舗メーカーです。
Heisha wa sougyou sanjuunen no shinise meekaa desu.
Our company is a long-established manufacturer with 30 years of history.
Example 3 — apology or complaint response:
弊社の不手際によりご迷惑をおかけいたしました。
Heisha no futedorimawari ni yori go-meiwaku wo okake itashimashita.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by our company’s mistake.
YukaGot it. And heisha vs onsha vs kisha — is that the opposite, or more like a different usage?
ReiMore of a different usage! heisha vs onsha vs kisha carries its own feel. Comparing them together like this is actually the fastest way to master both.
御社 (onsha) vs. 貴社 (kisha) — Your Company
Both 御社 and 貴社 mean “your company” — the company of the person you are speaking or writing to. The critical difference is the medium: 御社 is for spoken communication, and 貴社 is for written communication (emails, letters, documents).
This spoken/written distinction is strictly observed in formal Japanese business contexts. Using 貴社 in a spoken interview, for example, is a common mistake. In conversation, say 御社 (onsha). In a written application or email, write 貴社 (kisha).
Example 1 — job interview (spoken):
御社を志望した理由は、成長性を感じたからです。
Onsha wo shibou shita riyuu wa, seichousei wo kanjita kara desu.
The reason I applied to your company is that I felt it had strong growth potential.
Example 2 — cover letter (written):
貴社のグローバルな取り組みに魅力を感じました。
Kisha no gurobaru na torikumi ni miryoku wo kanjimashita.
I was attracted by your company’s global initiatives.
Example 3 — business email (written):
貴社のご発展をお祈り申し上げます。
Kisha no go-hatten wo oinori moushiagemasu.
I wish your company continued success.
Decision Flowchart: Which Word to Use?
Are you referring to YOUR company or THE OTHER company?
|
v
YOUR company?
| |
YES NO → referring to their company
| |
v v
Is the context Is it SPOKEN or WRITTEN?
EXTERNAL | |
(other company)? SPOKEN WRITTEN
| | |
YES v v
| 御社 貴社
v (onsha) (kisha)
Use 弊社
(heisha)
|
NO (internal)
|
v
Use 当社
(tousha)Quick Quiz — Test Yourself!
YukaI think I’ve finally got it! Let’s take the quiz to be sure.
ReiPerfect confidence check! Let’s go — you’ve got this!
Fill in the blank with 当社, 弊社, 御社, or 貴社.
Q1. (In a job interview, speaking) Why did you apply to our company?
なぜ＿＿＿を志望しましたか？
Naze ___ wo shibou shimashita ka?
Answer: 御社 (onsha)
Reason: Referring to the interviewer’s company in spoken conversation — 御社 is the spoken form for “your company.”
Q2. (In a written email to a client) Please contact our representative.
＿＿＿の担当者にご連絡ください。
___ no tantousha ni go-renraku kudasai.
Answer: 弊社 (heisha)
Reason: Written email to an external party — 弊社 is the humble/formal way to refer to your own company.
Q3. (In a cover letter) I was impressed by your company’s values.
＿＿＿の理念に感銘を受けました。
___ no rinen ni kanmei wo ukemashita.
Answer: 貴社 (kisha)
Reason: Written document (cover letter) referring to the employer’s company — 貴社 is the written form for “your company.”
Q4. (Manager speaking to new staff about the company) Our company was founded in 1990.
＿＿＿は1990年に設立されました。
___ wa sen kyuuhyaku kyuujuu nen ni setsuritsu saremashita.
Answer: 当社 (tousha)
Reason: Internal context — a manager telling new employees about their own company. 当社 is the polite, internal form.
Q5. (Business phone call) I look forward to working with your company.
＿＿＿との取引を楽しみにしております。
___ to no torihiki wo tanoshimi ni shite orimasu.
Answer: 御社 (onsha)
Reason: Spoken communication (phone call) referring to the other company — 御社 is the spoken form.
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