Plus is free for everyoneuntil Nov 30 · 16 days leftStart free →
Japanese for “Opening a bank account”
You walk into a bank to open a new account. The clerk greets you and starts asking for the necessary information to set up your account.
Sample dialogue
Bank clerk
いらっしゃいませ。本日はどのようなご用件でしょうか。irasshaimase. honjitsu wa dono youna go youken deshou ka.
Welcome. What brings you in today?
You (Customer)
銀行口座を開きたいんですが。ginkou kouza o hirakitai n desu ga.
I'd like to open a bank account.
Bank clerk
かしこまりました。こちらのお申し込み用紙にご記入ください。口座を開く目的は何ですか。kashikomarimashita. kochira no o moushikomi youshi ni go kinyuukudasai. kouza o hiraku mokuteki wa nani desu ka.
Understood. Please fill out this application form. What is the purpose of opening the account?
You (Customer)
給料を受け取るためです。kyuuryou o uketoru tame desu.
It's for receiving my salary.
Bank clerk
ありがとうございます。では、在留カードを拝見してもよろしいでしょうか。あと、お電話番号も教えていただきたいのですが。arigatougozaimasu. deha, zairyuu kaado o haiken shite mo yoroshii deshou ka. ato, o denwa bangou mo oshieteitadakitai no desu ga.
Thank you. May I see your residence card? Also, could you please give me your phone number?
You (Customer)
はい、どうぞ。電話番号は090-1234-5678です。hai, douzo. denwa bangou wa 090-1234-5678 desu.
Yes, here you go. My phone number is 090-1234-5678.
Bank clerk
ありがとうございます。印鑑はお持ちですか。それとも署名でよろしいでしょうか。arigatougozaimasu. inkan wa o mochi desu ka. soretomo shomei de yoroshii deshou ka.
Thank you. Do you have a personal seal, or would you prefer to sign instead?
You (Customer)
印鑑は持っていないので、署名でお願いします。inkan wa motteinai node, shomei de onegai shimasu.
I don't have a seal, so I'd like to sign instead.
Bank clerk
かしこまりました。キャッシュカードは1週間から10日で郵送でお届けします。kashikomarimashita. kyasshukaado wa 1shuukan kara tooka de yuusou de o todoke shimasu.
Understood. Your cash card will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.
本日はどのようなご用件でしょうかほんじつはどのようなごようけんでしょうかhonjitsu wa dono youna go youken deshou ka
What is your purpose today? (formal greeting)
Use this when you want to ask a customer or visitor why they've come, in a polite business setting.
病院で：本日はどのようなご用件でしょうか。byouin de： honjitsu wa dono youna go youken deshou ka.
At a clinic: What brings you in today?
~目的は何ですか~もくてきはなにですか~ mokuteki wa nani desu ka
What is the purpose of ~?
Use this to ask why someone is doing something or why they need something.
海外出張の目的は何ですか。kaigai shutchou no mokuteki wa nani desu ka.
What is the purpose of your overseas business trip?
在留カードを拝見してもよろしいでしょうかざいりゅうかーどをはいけんしてもよろしいでしょうかzairyuu kaado o haiken shite mo yoroshii deshou ka
May I see your residence card? (very polite)
Use 拝見 (haiken) when asking to look at someone else's document respectfully; it's humble and polite.
パスポートを拝見してもよろしいでしょうか。pasupooto o haiken shite mo yoroshii deshou ka.
May I see your passport?
~でよろしいでしょうか~ de yoroshii deshou ka
Casual vs polite
Casual給料をもらうためです。kyuuryou o morau tame desu.
Polite給料を受け取るためです。kyuuryou o uketoru tame desu.
Both mean 'to receive my salary,' but 受け取る is more formal and respectful; use the casual version with friends, the polite version at a bank or official place.
Casual印鑑は持ってないから、署名でいい。inkan wa mottenai kara, shomeide ii.
Polite印鑑は持っていないので、署名でお願いします。inkan wa motteinai node, shomei de onegai shimasu.
The casual version is direct; the polite version uses です/ます style and ~でお願いします, which is appropriate for bank staff and service settings.
Casualカードは1週間くらいで来るよ。kaado wa 1shuukan kurai de kuru yo.
Politeキャッシュカードは1週間から10日で郵送でお届けします。kyasshukaado wa 1shuukan kara tooka de yuusou de o todoke shimasu.
The casual version is brief and friendly; the polite version uses formal language (お届けします) and is correct for bank employees informing customers.
Culture tip
When opening a bank account in Japan, showing respect to the clerk is important. Always say 'hai' (はい) clearly when handing over documents, and listen carefully to their instructions. It's common for banks to require a personal seal (印鑑) or signature—having a seal shows preparation, but most banks now accept signatures from foreigners. The timeframe for receiving your cash card is usually one to two weeks by postal mail, so plan ahead if you need money immediately.
Ready to say it out loud?
On Tuned you can practice this scene in 3 steps: copy the model, build it up bit by bit, then role-play with an AI partner — at your level.