What is the correct meaning of the business term "ittekoi"? Paraphrases and English expressions

update date 2024/04/05

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Ittekoi" is a word often heard in everyday conversation, but did you know that it actually has another meaning besides "go ahead"? It is a business term used mainly among businesspeople of the uncle generation, and is said to be difficult to communicate in conversation with young people. It is also called "uncle business terminology," but you still hear this expression in business situations.

In this article, we will explain in detail the meaning and usage of "ittekoi", paraphrased expressions, and even English expressions. Please read to the end.

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What are the two meanings of the business term "ittekoi"?

The word "ittekkoi" has two main meanings. When communicating with Japanese people in business situations, it is important to correctly hear and use these two meanings differently.

1. go to.

The first is the meaning of "go and see. When "ittekoi" is written in kanji (Chinese characters) as "go," it is the imperative form of "go and come. This usage is used when the speaker gives instructions or orders to the listener to go to a certain place and come back again. For example, if a superior says to a subordinate, "Go to the sales place," it means, "Go to the sales place and come back again.

2. zero deductions and プラスマイナスゼロ

The second is the meaning of "zero subtraction" or "プラスマイナスゼロ". This describes a situation in which an event or action seems to have a temporary positive effect, but in the end it has a negative effect, and in the end the positive and negative effects cancel each other out and nothing has changed. For example, it is used in the context of "a new sales strategy was implemented, but although sales increased, expenses also increased, and in the end it all came to nothing.

However, "ittekoi" is a business term peculiar to the uncle generation, and it is recommended to use a paraphrased expression that can be understood by all generations, including young people. For example, the word "chara" is appropriate in the sense of "subtract zero" or "プラスマイナスゼロ.

To learn more about "プラスマイナスゼロ," please see the following articles
▶︎ What is the Japanese word "プラマイゼロ (puramaizero)"? Meaning, Paraphrase, and English Expression

What is the English equivalent of "ittekoi"?

There are times when you may want to express "ittekoi" in English. Here are some English expressions corresponding to the two meanings of "ittekoi.

"Go."

When using "Ittekoi" to mean "Go," the imperative form of "Go" has the same meaning.

"come out even" or "break even".

To express "ittekkoi" in English, meaning "zero deducted" or "プラスマイナスゼロ," "come out even" or "break even" would be appropriate. These expressions mean a state of even balance, i.e., no profit or loss.

For example, "After all the investments and expenses, our project basically broke even. For example, "After all the investments and expenses, our project basically broke even.

"offset".

Offset" is another English word with a similar meaning to "ittekoi. Offset" means "to cancel out" or "to offset," and is often used primarily in financial contexts.

For example, "The gains from our new venture will offset the losses from the previous one." For example, "The gains from our new venture will offset the losses from the previous one.

However, "offset" is a somewhat specialized vocabulary and is not used as often as "ittekoi" in casual conversation.

Example sentences and usage of the business term "ittekoi

So far, we have learned the two meanings of "ittekoi" and the corresponding English expressions. Next, let's further deepen your understanding of these meanings and usages through specific example sentences.

Example 1: "Go to the field immediately."

This example sentence uses "ittekoi" to mean "go ahead". The other party is ordering you to "go" and you must go to the site immediately.

Example 2: "Yesterday I was the one who bought you a drink, but today I bought you a drink, so we're going out after all."

Here is an example sentence using "ittekoi" in the sense of "zero deducted" or "プラスマイナスゼロ". It means that yesterday you gained money by buying me a drink, but today you lost money by buying me a drink, so you neither gained nor lost money.

Paraphrases and synonyms for the business term "ittekoi

The meaning of "Ittekkoi" as "zero deducted" or "プラスマイナスゼロ" can be replaced by several other words and expressions. It is useful to know these paraphrases and analogies so that you can use them depending on the situation. Let's look at some typical paraphrases below.

1. challah

The word "chara" means "zero deduction" or "to pretend it never happened," and can be used in a similar way to "ittekoi. It can be used in a similar way to "Ittekkoi," which means "to clear one's debts.

Note that this is a different word from "flirtatious," which is used for playful people.

2. tons. tons.

The word "tonton" means "just about the same" or "not much different," and can be used similarly to "ittekoi. It can be used in a similar way to "ittekkoi." "Yesterday I got a treat, but today I got a treat, so it's a tonton after all." It is used like this.

Note that this is a different word from "thump," which represents the sound of a knock on the door or a tap on the shoulder.

3. offsetting

The word "offset" means "to cancel out by subtracting two things from each other," and can be used in a similar way to "Ittekoi.

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summary

Ittekoi" is a common expression used by businesspeople of the "ojisan" generation, but it is not easily understood by the younger generation. It is important to understand the meaning correctly and use an appropriate paraphrase depending on the situation. In particular, when using the word "chara" to mean "zero deductions," it is best to use the word "chara" to ensure smooth communication regardless of generation.

To learn more about business Japanese, check out the related articles below.