社交辞令(しゃこうじれい)

Cultural note

社交辞令(しゃこうじれい) is a particularly important concept for understanding Japanese communication. Many polite expressions that sound like genuine invitations or compliments are actually 社交辞令(しゃこうじれい) — said to maintain smooth social relations rather than to be taken literally. For example, 今度(こんど)遊(あそ)びに来(き)てください (please come visit sometime) often does not mean a real invitation. Learning to distinguish 社交辞令(しゃこうじれい) from sincere statements is a key social skill in Japan.

Usage

Often used when someone realizes a comment was not sincere, or when explaining Japanese social customs. Can carry a slightly cynical nuance when pointing out insincerity.

Common collocations

• 社交辞令(しゃこうじれい)を言(い)う: to make a polite pleasantry
• 社交辞令(しゃこうじれい)を真(ま)に受(う)ける: to take a pleasantry at face value
• 社交辞令(しゃこうじれい)だと分(わ)かる: to realize it's just a pleasantry