Polite to Stranger
Workplace · Email
恐れ入りますが、お名前の正しい読み方を教えていただけますでしょうか。 — Pardon me, but could you tell me the correct pronunciation of your name? (Workplace · Email, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
恐れ入りますが、お名前の正しい読み方を教えていただけますでしょうか。
おそれいりますが、おなまえのただしいよみかたをおしえていただけますでしょうか。
Pardon me, but could you tell me the correct pronunciation of your name?
Romaji: Osore irimasu ga, onamae no tadashii yomikata o oshiete itadakemasu deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Hai, mochiron desu. ◯◯ to yomimasu.
Reply
はい、もちろんです。◯◯と読みます。
はい、もちろんです。◯◯とよみます。
Of course. It's pronounced ◯◯.
Gesture & etiquette
Polite, sincere tone. Have a notepad ready to write the phonetic reading. Repeat the name back after they say it ('◯◯ san de yoroshii deshou ka?' = ◯◯-san, correct?) to confirm. A small bow (15 degrees) when thanking them.
Asking for pronunciation upfront is far better than mispronouncing repeatedly throughout a business relationship. 'Osore irimasu ga' (excuse me, but...) softens the question. For non-Japanese names, this question is welcomed — most international contacts have experienced mispronunciation. Also useful for unusual Japanese names with ambiguous kanji readings (e.g., 中田 = Nakata or Nakada).