Meaning
A polite way to say one expects to hear back from someone.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the 'Uchi-Soto' (Inside-Outside) concept. You use humble language for your own actions (waiting) to elevate the person outside your group. Directly asking for a reply can be seen as pushy. This phrase is a 'soft' way to request action without being a command. Even on Slack or Teams, Japanese professionals maintain this level of formality with clients, though internal messages might be shorter. In service industries, this phrase shows that the staff is ready and willing to serve the customer whenever they are ready.
The 'O-tesuki' Combo
Add 'お{手隙|てすき}の{際|さい}に' (when you have a moment) before the phrase to sound extra considerate and less demanding.
Don't use with friends
It sounds like you are sending them an invoice. Use '連絡待ってるね' instead.
Meaning
A polite way to say one expects to hear back from someone.
The 'O-tesuki' Combo
Add 'お{手隙|てすき}の{際|さい}に' (when you have a moment) before the phrase to sound extra considerate and less demanding.
Don't use with friends
It sounds like you are sending them an invoice. Use '連絡待ってるね' instead.
The Silent Expectation
In Japan, this phrase is often a polite way of saying 'I cannot proceed until you reply,' so use it wisely.
Test Yourself
Complete the formal business closing.
ご（ ）お（ ）しております。
The standard phrase is ご連絡お待ちしております.
Which is the most appropriate for a business email to a client?
Which one should you use?
This is the standard formal version required for clients.
Fill in the blank in this dialogue.
A: 資料を送りました。 B: ありがとうございます。確認して（ ）。
In a professional setting, A would end their message with this phrase after sending the materials.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are waiting for a job interview result.
This is the correct way to express that you are waiting for their decision.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesご（ ）お（ ）しております。
The standard phrase is ご連絡お待ちしております.
Which one should you use?
This is the standard formal version required for clients.
A: 資料を送りました。 B: ありがとうございます。確認して（ ）。
In a professional setting, A would end their message with this phrase after sending the materials.
Situation: You are waiting for a job interview result.
This is the correct way to express that you are waiting for their decision.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, it is very common to use this with a superior to show respect while waiting for their instructions.
'Orimasu' is the humble form of 'imasu' (to be), focusing on your state of waiting. 'Itashimasu' is the humble form of 'shimasu' (to do). Both are polite, but 'orimasu' is more common for 'waiting.'
If it's a business text (Slack/Line Works), yes. If it's a personal text, it's too formal.
It is polite (Teineigo) but not humble (Kenjougo). Use 'orimasu' for clients to be safe.
In business, yes. It shows respect to the action the other person will take.
Related Phrases
お{返事|へんじ}お{待|ま}ちしております
similarI am waiting for your reply.
ご{連絡|れんらく}いただければ{幸|さいわ}いです
similarI would be grateful if you could contact me.
ご{連絡|れんらく}をお{願|ねが}いします
similarPlease contact me.
ご{連絡|れんらく}お{待|ま}ち{申|もう}し{上|あ}げております
specialized formI humbly look forward to hearing from you.
