Key Concepts in Japanese Communication
April 23, 2025Culture
🖼️
Expand Table of Contents
- Honne (本音 / honne / true feelings) and Tatemae (建前 / tatemae / public facade)
- Reading the Air (空気を読む / kūki o yomu / reading the atmosphere)
- Sasshi (察し / sasshi / anticipation) - Anticipation and Intuition
- Enryo (遠慮 / enryo / restraint) - Restraint and Modesty
- How These Concepts Impact Daily Interactions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these concepts unique to Japan?
- Is it dishonest to use tatemae instead of expressing honne?
- How long does it take to learn to "read the air" effectively?
- Can I succeed in Japan without mastering these concepts?
- Practical Applications