Translation guide
A courtesy call is a polite visit or phone call made to show respect, maintain a relationship, or fulfill a social obligation. In Japanese, the expression depends on the context: a formal visit, a business check-in, or a social phone call.
A visit made to show respect or maintain a relationship, often in business or diplomatic settings.
A formal visit to show respect, often used in business or diplomatic contexts. This is the most direct equivalent for a courtesy call as a visit.
新社長が取引先に表敬訪問した。
The new president paid a courtesy call on a client.
Literally 'greeting rounds', this refers to visiting people to introduce oneself or maintain relationships, often after a promotion or at the start of a new role. More casual than 表敬訪問.
新しい部長が部署を挨拶回りした。
The new department head made the rounds to greet everyone.
A visit to establish or maintain a connection, often for future business. Implies keeping a relationship warm.
たまには顔つなぎに来てください。
Please drop by once in a while to keep in touch.
A phone call made to check in, follow up, or maintain a relationship without a specific urgent purpose.
A polite way to refer to a call or message made to keep in touch. Often used with verbs like する or 差し上げる.
先日はご連絡いただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for your courtesy call the other day.
A polite term for a phone call. Can be used in phrases like お電話差し上げる (to give a call).
後ほどお電話差し上げます。
I will give you a courtesy call later.
Literally 'a call to ask how someone is doing'. Used for a check-in call, often in a caring context.
入院中の友人に様子伺いの電話をした。
I made a courtesy call to my friend in the hospital.
A call or visit made out of social obligation, such as thanking someone or maintaining a relationship.
A thank-you call, often made after receiving a gift or favor. This is a common type of courtesy call.
お歳暮をいただいたので、お礼の電話をした。
I made a courtesy call to thank them for the year-end gift.
A greeting call, often made on special occasions or to maintain a relationship.
新年のご挨拶の電話を差し上げました。
I made a courtesy call for the New Year.
The phrase 'courtesy call' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it literally as 礼儀電話 (れいぎでんわ) would not be understood. Use the appropriate phrase based on whether it's a visit or a phone call, and the level of formality.