先方(せんぽう)

A formal business term for referring to the other party in a negotiation, transaction, or professional interaction. Very commonly used in workplace conversations and business emails. Allows the speaker to refer to the other side without using their name or a pronoun.

Common collocations

• 先方(せんぽう)に連絡(れんらく)する: to contact the other party
• 先方(せんぽう)の要望(ようぼう): the other party's request
• 先方(せんぽう)の都合(つごう): the other party's convenience
• 先方(せんぽう)から返事(へんじ)がある: to receive a reply from them
• 先方(せんぽう)に確認(かくにん)する: to confirm with the other party

Usage

Primarily used in business and professional settings. In casual conversation, people would simply say 相手(あいて) or 向(む)こう instead.

Similar words

• 相手(あいて): the other person, partner — general-purpose, used in any context
• 向(む)こう: the other side, over there — more casual
• 取引先(とりひきさき): business partner, client — specifically a company you do business with