かしこまりました。 — Understood / Certainly (humble form). (Workplace · Phone, Formal to Client, JLPT N5)

Gesture & etiquette

Phone or in person. Brief bow (15°) when in person. Steady professional tone — say it as a commitment, not a question. Take notes immediately if a specific request.

Most polite acknowledgement word in Japanese — humble form of '承知しました' (understood). Service industry standard (restaurants, hotels, B2B reception). Use to clients, customers, superiors. Stronger commitment than 'はい' alone — implies you'll execute the request. Never use to peers casually — too formal sounds odd. For peers, '了解' or 'わかりました' fits.