How to Read Kisha (貴社): Meaning and Usage in Japanese Business

貴社 is read きしゃ (kisha). It means “your company” in a respectful reference to the recipient’s organization, usually in written Japanese such as application documents and email text. In interviews and conversation, 御社 (おんしゃ, onsha) is conventional.

Quick pronunciation table

Read it as kisha (ki-sha); do not assemble a reading such as takasha from separate readings of the characters. When typing Japanese, associate きしゃ with 貴社 and inspect the selected conversion.

Kisha in writing, onsha in conversation

A written sentence can use 貴社の○○職を志望します. In an interview, use 御社の○○職を志望しています. Both express interest in a role at the recipient’s company. Hyogo Labour Bureau guidance explains this convention. For other kinds of organizations, see Onsha and Kisha: Addressing Companies and Other Organizations in Japanese (Japanese).

Created examples:

Writing: 貴社の製品開発に関心を持ち、応募いたしました。

Conversation: 御社の製品開発に関心を持ち、応募しました。

Both mean “I applied because I am interested in your product development.” Reading a written sentence aloud does not change how 貴社 is pronounced: it remains kisha. When speaking freely in an interview, onsha is the usual choice.

Check the same-sounding conversion candidates

For example, 記者の事業 is the wrong conversion if you mean 貴社の事業, “your company’s business.” Check meaning as well as pronunciation. The official company name can also be used when that makes the reference clearer.

Use the actual name in the address line

Kisha is a company reference within the body of a message. The address line identifies the recipient. Created examples are ○○株式会社 人事部 御中 for a department and ○○株式会社 人事部 佐藤様 for a named person. Do not combine 御中 and 様 for the same addressee or write 貴社御中.

Created email opening:

○○株式会社 採用ご担当者様

貴社の求人を拝見し、応募いたします。

This addresses the recruitment contact and says, “I saw your job listing and would like to apply.” For an English email, use the organization’s official English name and ordinary English wording; there is no need to transliterate kisha into the message.

Before submitting an application

• Check that 貴社 refers to the prospective employer, not your current workplace.
• Check the conversion for 記者, 汽車 and 帰社.
• Use an appropriate reference for a school, hospital or other non-company organization.
• Verify the official name and address line.
• Replace example job titles and motivations with your actual information.

If you misread the word during an interview, correct it briefly and continue. One pronunciation slip does not by itself determine an employer’s decision. For the relationship with references to your own company, see Tōsha, Jisha and Heisha: Differences and Examples for Japanese Business (Japanese).

Related guides

• Onsha and Kisha: Addressing Companies and Other Organizations in Japanese (Japanese)
• Tōsha, Jisha and Heisha: Differences and Examples for Japanese Business (Japanese)

Sources and further checks

Public information checked on October 5, 2026. These sources concern Japan; verify the conditions that apply to your case.

• 文化庁：敬語の指針

The related Otame4 guides linked above are in Japanese.