見積もり
見積もり in 30 Seconds
- Means 'estimate' or 'quote' in English.
- Crucial for business and daily life in Japan.
- Used with verbs like 'dasu' (submit) and 'toru' (get).
- Often written as a formal document called 'mitsumorisho'.
Please send the 見積もり.
- Kanji Breakdown
- 見 (mi) means to see, and 積 (tsumu) means to pile up.
I need a 見積もり for the car repair.
- Aimitsumori
- Getting multiple quotes to compare prices.
The 見積もり was very accurate.
He is preparing the 見積もり now.
- Cultural Context
- Estimates represent trust and careful planning in Japan.
The project failed due to a bad 見積もり.
The company will 見積もり wo dasu tomorrow.
- Client Perspective
- Use mitsumori wo toru when you are the one asking for the price.
We need to 見積もり wo tateru before starting.
- Formal Usage
- Use irai suru and sakusei suru in strict business contexts.
Check if tax is in the 見積もり.
We always do aimitsumori to compare 見積もり.
- Compound Words
- Mitsumori can be attached to almost any service type.
Attached is the requested 見積もり.
The moving company gave a high 見積もり.
- Moving Industry
- Hikkoshi (moving) always requires a detailed estimate.
The mechanic's 見積もり included new tires.
- Corporate Sales
- Salesmen must master the art of the mitsumori.
The wedding 見積もり was over budget.
I got a 見積もり for a custom suit.
- Insurance
- Insurance quotes are also called mitsumori.
The online 見積もり tool is very fast.
Do not confuse 見積もり with an invoice.
- Financial Terms
- Mitsumori = Before, Seikyusho = During/After, Ryoshusho = After Payment.
Politely ask for a 見積もり using onegaishimasu.
- Noun vs Verb
- Stick to the noun form for most daily interactions.
The 見積もり was delayed by a week.
Please print the 見積もり sho.
- The -sho Suffix
- Adding -sho clarifies you need a formal document.
We negotiated the 見積もり down by 10%.
This is not a final 見積もり, just a gaisan.
- Gaisan
- Use gaisan for a rough, non-binding ballpark figure.
The 見積もり exceeded our yosan.
- Satei
- Satei is for appraising value, not estimating future costs.
We need a satei for the old car, and a 見積もり for the new one.
The keisan in this 見積もり is incorrect.
- Hyouka
- Hyouka evaluates quality or performance, not cost.
Understanding these words makes reading a 見積もり easier.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Noun + を + Verb (見積もりを出す)
Noun + の + Noun (見積もりの内容)
Verb te-form + もらう (見積もりを送ってもらう)
〜に比べて (Comparing estimates)
〜すぎる (見積もりが高すぎる)
Examples by Level
見積もりをお願いします。
Please give me an estimate.
Noun + を (wo) + お願いします (onegaishimasu).
見積もりはいくらですか?
How much is the estimate?
Noun + は (wa) + いくらですか (ikura desu ka).
見積もりを見せてください。
Please show me the estimate.
Verb te-form + ください (kudasai).
これは見積もりですか?
Is this an estimate?
これ (kore) + は (wa) + Noun + ですか (desu ka).
見積もりが欲しいです。
I want an estimate.
Noun + が (ga) + 欲しいです (hoshii desu).
見積もりをください。
Please give me the estimate.
Noun + を (wo) + ください (kudasai).
車の見積もりです。
It is an estimate for a car.
Noun + の (no) + Noun.
見積もりは無料ですか?
Is the estimate free?
Noun + は (wa) + 無料 (muryou) + ですか (desu ka).
明日、見積もりを取ります。
I will get an estimate tomorrow.
Verb dictionary form / masu-form for future.
見積もりを出すことができますか?
Can you provide an estimate?
Verb dictionary form + ことができますか (koto ga dekimasu ka).
この見積もりは高いです。
This estimate is expensive.
Adjective + です (desu).
見積書をメールで送ってください。
Please send the written estimate by email.
Noun + で (de) indicating method.
見積もりを待っています。
I am waiting for the estimate.
Verb te-form + います (imasu) for continuous state.
新しい見積もりを作りました。
I made a new estimate.
Verb ta-form for past tense.
見積もりを比べてみましょう。
Let's compare the estimates.
Verb te-form + みましょう (mimashou).
見積もりの内容を確認します。
I will check the contents of the estimate.
Noun + の (no) + Noun.
相見積もりを取って、価格を比較します。
I will get multiple quotes and compare prices.
Verb te-form to connect sequential actions.
見積書の作成をお願いいたします。
Please prepare the written estimate.
Humble request form: お (o) + Noun + をお願いいたします (wo onegai itashimasu).
見積もりには消費税が含まれていますか?
Is consumption tax included in the estimate?
Passive state: 含まれています (fukumarete imasu).
予算に合わないので、見積もりを見直してください。
It doesn't fit the budget, so please revise the estimate.
Reason clause with ので (node).
見積もりの有効期限はいつまでですか?
Until when is the estimate valid?
Question word いつまで (itsu made).
詳細な見積もりを提出していただくことは可能でしょうか。
Would it be possible to have you submit a detailed estimate?
Polite request: していただくことは可能でしょうか (shite itadaku koto wa kanou deshou ka).
見積もり金額が予想より高かったです。
The estimated amount was higher than expected.
Comparison using より (yori).
まずは概算の見積もりを教えてください。
First, please tell me the rough estimate.
Adverb まずは (mazu wa).
見積もり漏れがないか、細部まで確認する必要があります。
We need to check the details to ensure there are no omissions in the estimate.
〜ないか (nai ka) for checking a condition.
他社の見積もりを引き合いに出して、価格交渉を行った。
We negotiated the price by referencing another company's estimate.
Verb te-form + 行った (okonatta) for formal action.
初期費用の見積もりが予算を大幅に超過している。
The estimate for initial costs greatly exceeds the budget.
Adverb 大幅に (oohaba ni).
仕様変更に伴い、見積もりの再算出をお願いします。
Due to the change in specifications, please recalculate the estimate.
〜に伴い (ni tomonai) meaning 'along with / due to'.
この見積もりは、あくまで現時点での前提に基づいています。
This estimate is strictly based on the assumptions at this current time.
〜に基づいています (ni motozuite imasu) meaning 'based on'.
見積書を受領いたしました。内容を精査の上、ご返答申し上げます。
We have received the estimate. We will reply after scrutinizing the contents.
〜の上 (no ue) meaning 'after doing...'.
見積もりの根拠となるデータをご提示いただけますか。
Could you present the data that forms the basis of the estimate?
〜となる (to naru) meaning 'becomes / serves as'.
工数が想定より多く、見積もりを修正せざるを得ない。
The man-hours are more than expected, so we have no choice but to revise the estimate.
〜ざるを得ない (zaru o enai) meaning 'cannot help but / have no choice but'.
不測の事態に備え、見積もりには一定のバッファを持たせてある。
To prepare for unforeseen circumstances, a certain buffer is included in the estimate.
Causative-passive state: 持たせてある (motasete aru).
稟議を通すためには、より説得力のある見積もりが不可欠だ。
To get the internal approval passed, a more persuasive estimate is indispensable.
〜ためには (tame ni wa) for purpose.
見積もりの甘さが露呈し、プロジェクトは大幅な赤字に陥った。
The naivety of the estimate was exposed, and the project fell into a massive deficit.
Noun + の甘さ (no amasa) meaning 'looseness/naivety'.
下請け業者からの見積もりを叩きすぎると、品質低下を招きかねない。
If you beat down the subcontractor's estimate too much, it could lead to a drop in quality.
〜かねない (kanenai) meaning 'might happen (negative consequence)'.
本見積もりは、為替変動リスクを考慮した上で算出されております。
This estimate is calculated taking exchange rate fluctuation risks into account.
〜を考慮した上で (wo kouryo shita ue de).
相見積もりの結果、コストパフォーマンスに最も優れたA社に発注を決定した。
As a result of competitive bidding, we decided to place the order with Company A, which had the best cost performance.
〜の結果 (no kekka) meaning 'as a result of'.
見積書に記載なき事項については、別途協議とさせていただきます。
Matters not stated in the estimate shall be discussed separately.
〜なき (naki) classical negative form used in formal writing.
概算見積もりと正式見積もりの乖離幅を最小限に抑えるよう努めてください。
Please strive to minimize the discrepancy between the rough estimate and the formal estimate.
〜よう努める (you tsutomeru) meaning 'strive to'.
見積もりの妥当性を検証すべく、第三者機関による監査を導入した。
In order to verify the validity of the estimate, we introduced an audit by a third-party organization.
〜すべく (subeku) formal expression for 'in order to'.
どんぶり勘定での見積もりは、コンプライアンスの観点からも到底容認できるものではない。
A sloppy, ballpark estimate is completely unacceptable from a compliance perspective as well.
到底〜ない (toutei ~ nai) meaning 'cannot possibly'.
見積もりの前提条件が根底から覆った以上、白紙撤回も辞さない構えだ。
Now that the preconditions of the estimate have been fundamentally overturned, we are prepared to scrap it entirely.
〜以上 (ijou) meaning 'now that / since'.
競合他社の見積もりをリークするような行為は、明白な背任行為に該当する。
Acts such as leaking a competitor's estimate constitute a clear breach of trust.
〜に該当する (ni gaitou suru) meaning 'falls under / constitutes'.
極端な安値での見積もりは、いわゆる「安物買いの銭失い」の典型例となり得る。
An estimate with an extremely low price can become a typical example of 'penny wise and pound foolish'.
〜となり得る (to nariuru) meaning 'can become'.
見積書に潜む隠れたコストを見抜く眼力が、購買担当者には求められる。
Purchasing managers are required to have the insight to see through hidden costs lurking in estimates.
〜に潜む (ni hisomu) meaning 'lurking in'.
口頭での見積もりは言った言わないのトラブルの元凶となるため、必ず書面で残すこと。
Because verbal estimates are the root cause of 'he said, she said' troubles, always leave them in writing.
〜の元凶となる (no genkyou to naru) meaning 'becomes the root cause of'.
当該見積もりは、現行の法規制に準拠していることを宣誓するものである。
This estimate serves as an oath that it complies with current laws and regulations.
〜を宣誓するものである (wo sensei suru mono de aru) highly formal declarative.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Implies a calculated guess, not a random number.
Highly versatile. Can be used in casual chats or formal contracts.
- Confusing mitsumori (estimate) with seikyusho (invoice).
- Saying 'mitsumori wo tsukuru' instead of 'mitsumori wo sakusei suru' in formal contexts.
- Using 'mitsumori wo kudasai' which sounds too direct; use 'onegaishimasu' instead.
- Forgetting to ask if the estimate includes tax (zeikomi).
- Assuming a verbal quote is as good as a written mitsumorisho.
Tips
Use the right verb
Remember: You 'toru' (get) an estimate, and the company 'dasu' (submits) it. Mixing these up sounds unnatural.
Aimitsumori is normal
Don't feel bad getting multiple quotes. It is standard practice in Japan. Just be polite about it.
Add 'sho' for documents
If you need it in writing, say 'mitsumorisho'. Otherwise, you might just get a verbal price.
Check for tax
Always check if the estimate is 'zeikomi' (tax included) or 'zeinuki' (tax excluded). This prevents surprises.
Polite requests
Use 'onegaishimasu' when asking for a quote. It is simple, polite, and effective.
Formal emails
In emails, use 'sakusei' (create) instead of 'tsukuru' (make) for a more professional tone.
Use the budget excuse
If an estimate is too high, say it exceeds your 'yosan' (budget). It is a polite way to negotiate.
Listen for 'gaisan'
If they say 'gaisan', know that the price might change later. It is not final.
Check the expiration
Estimates usually have a 'yuukou kigen' (expiration date). Read it carefully.
Don't confuse with invoice
Mitsumori = Before. Seikyusho = After. Memorize this rule.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
ME (見) and TWO MORE (つもり) guys are needed to finish the job, so let's get an ESTIMATE.
Word Origin
Japanese native word (Wago)
Cultural Context
Never accept the first verbal price for a large project. Always request a formal mitsumorisho.
Getting multiple quotes is not seen as rude; it is a sign of a responsible buyer.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"引っ越しの見積もりはもう取りましたか? (Have you gotten the moving estimate yet?)"
"相見積もりを取ったほうがいいですよ。(You should get multiple quotes.)"
"見積もりが予算をオーバーしています。(The estimate is over budget.)"
"車の修理、見積もりはいくらでしたか? (How much was the estimate for the car repair?)"
"見積書をメールで送ってもらえますか? (Can you email me the estimate?)"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you received an estimate that was much higher than expected.
Describe the process of getting a mitsumori for a service in your home country versus Japan.
Why do you think aimitsumori is so important in business?
Write a mock email requesting a mitsumori for a freelance design project.
Explain the difference between mitsumori, seikyusho, and ryoshusho.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMitsumori is an estimate given before work starts. Seikyusho is an invoice given after work is done. You use a mitsumori to decide if you want to buy. You use a seikyusho to know how much to pay. Do not confuse them in business.
The most common and polite way is 'Mitsumori o onegaishimasu'. In a very formal email, use 'Mitsumorisho no sakusei o onegai itashimasu'. Always add 'please' to soften the request. Avoid demanding it directly.
Aimitsumori means getting multiple estimates from different companies. It is a common practice to compare prices. It helps you find the best deal. Vendors expect you to do this.
Usually, a mitsumori itself is not a final contract. However, once you accept it and issue a purchase order, it becomes binding. Always read the terms carefully. Some estimates have expiration dates.
Yes, especially in B2B transactions. You can ask for a discount or remove certain items. Use phrases like 'Mou sukoshi yasuku narimasen ka?'. Negotiation is expected in many industries.
Gaisan is a rough estimate. It is less detailed than a formal mitsumori. You ask for a gaisan early in a project. Later, you get a formal mitsumori.
Most estimates are free (muryou). However, some complex projects might charge an estimation fee. Always ask 'Mitsumori wa muryou desu ka?' beforehand.
Use the verb 'toru' (to take/get). The phrase is 'mitsumori o torimashita'. Do not use 'morau' unless someone handed it to you directly as a favor.
It is the physical or digital written document of the estimate. 'Sho' means document. Always ask for a mitsumorisho for your records.
It shows respect, careful planning, and transparency. Japanese culture dislikes financial surprises. A good estimate builds trust between the buyer and seller.
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Summary
Mitsumori is more than just a price tag; it represents trust, careful planning, and transparency in Japanese culture. Always ask for one politely before making significant financial commitments.
- Means 'estimate' or 'quote' in English.
- Crucial for business and daily life in Japan.
- Used with verbs like 'dasu' (submit) and 'toru' (get).
- Often written as a formal document called 'mitsumorisho'.
Use the right verb
Remember: You 'toru' (get) an estimate, and the company 'dasu' (submits) it. Mixing these up sounds unnatural.
Aimitsumori is normal
Don't feel bad getting multiple quotes. It is standard practice in Japan. Just be polite about it.
Add 'sho' for documents
If you need it in writing, say 'mitsumorisho'. Otherwise, you might just get a verbal price.
Check for tax
Always check if the estimate is 'zeikomi' (tax included) or 'zeinuki' (tax excluded). This prevents surprises.
Example
見積もりを出します。
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