Hello, I’m Kodak.
You make a request at a Japanese restaurant, hotel, or shop, and the staff member replies:
Kashikomarimashita.
“I respectfully understand and accept your request.”
In customer service, natural English translations include “Certainly,” “Of course,” and “Understood.”
かしこまりました (kashikomarimashita) is a very polite response used when respectfully accepting an instruction, request, order, reservation, or piece of information.
It often means:
・Certainly.
・Of course.
・Understood.
・Very well.
・I will take care of that.
It is especially common in restaurants, hotels, shops, call centers, salons, reception desks, and other customer-service situations.
In this article, you will learn:
② why it means more than a simple “I understand”
③ how to pronounce and write it
④ its connection to かしこまる and the idea of respectful restraint
⑤ the difference between かしこまりました and わかりました
⑥ how it differs from 承知しました, 承知いたしました, 了解しました, and 承りました
⑦ who can naturally say it and to whom
⑧ useful dialogues for restaurants, hotels, shops, telephone calls, and business emails
⑨ common mistakes and frequently asked questions
What Does Kashikomarimashita Mean?
Romaji: kashikomarimashita
Natural English translations:
・Certainly.
・Understood.
・Very well.
・Of course.
・I have noted your request.
・I will take care of that.
かしこまりました is used when the speaker receives another person’s instruction, request, order, or information with a respectful attitude.
お客様：コーヒーを一つお願いします。
Okyaku-sama: Kōhī o hitotsu onegai shimasu.
Customer: One coffee, please.店員：かしこまりました。
Ten’in: Kashikomarimashita.
Staff: Certainly.
お客様：明日の予約を三時に変更できますか？
Could you change tomorrow’s reservation to three o’clock?スタッフ：かしこまりました。三時に変更いたします。
Certainly. I will change it to three.
はい acknowledges that you heard the person. かしこまりました tells them that you respectfully received and accepted what they said.
Yes. / I’m listening. / I heard you.
かしこまりました。
Certainly. / Understood, and I will handle it.
The Core Image of Kashikomarimashita
The core image is not simply “information entered my brain.” It is closer to:
↓
adopts a respectful and careful attitude
↓
accepts the request or instruction
↓
signals readiness to respond appropriately
That is why you should not say it too quickly if you have not confirmed that the request is possible.
かしこまりました。すぐに確認いたします。
Certainly. I will check immediately.
If you must check first:
確認いたしますので、少々お待ちください。
I will check, so please wait a moment.
If the request is impossible:
申し訳ございません。こちらでは対応できません。
I’m very sorry, but we cannot accommodate that here.
How to Pronounce Kashikomarimashita
Romaji: kashikomarimashita
Mora breakdown: か・し・こ・ま・り・ま・し・た
Number of morae: 8
A beginner-friendly rhythm is:
1. Keep the Eight Beats Relatively Even
Avoid placing one very strong English-style stress on MAR or SHI. Japanese rhythm is based on morae.
ka ・ shi ・ ko ・ ma ・ ri ・ ma ・ shi ・ ta
2. The R in り Is a Quick Tap
The り (ri) sound is made with a brief tongue tap. It is not exactly an English r or l.
A light sound between an English r and l is usually understandable.
3. The し in ました May Sound Light
In natural speech, the vowel i in し (shi) before た (ta) may be devoiced. As a result, ました can sound close to mash-ta.
ma-shi-ta
Common natural sound:
mash-ta
As your speech becomes smoother, the vowel may naturally become less audible.
4. Do Not Turn こまり into “Komariii”
Each vowel is short. Say ko-ma-ri in three clear beats unless a speaker intentionally stretches the phrase for a special tone.
How Is Kashikomarimashita Written?
Kanji form: 畏まりました
Romaji: kashikomarimashita
In customer-service manuals, messages, and ordinary business communication, the hiragana spelling かしこまりました is very common and easy to read.
The kanji 畏 carries the idea of awe, fear, respect, and reverence. Although 畏まりました is possible, learners can safely write the phrase in hiragana.
かしこまりました in hiragana is perfectly professional.
The Origin of Kashikomarimashita
かしこまりました comes from the verb かしこまる (畏まる).
Historically, かしこまる expressed attitudes such as:
・behaving with restraint and reverence
・sitting or standing formally
・humbly receiving an order or request
・expressing respectful gratitude or apology
The dictionary records very old uses of かしこまる, including examples connected with Nihon Shoki and The Tale of Genji. A documented example of the fixed response かしこまりました appears in an Edo-period work from 1701.
↓
a restrained, formal posture
↓
humbly receiving the words of a superior or respected person
↓
かしこまりました
“Your request has been respectfully received.”
Why Is Kashikomarimashita in the Past Tense?
The ending ました is grammatically past or completed. However, the phrase does not normally mean “I understood it at some time in the past.”
↓
the speaker receives and accepts it
↓
that act of acceptance is treated as complete
↓
かしこまりました
“Understood / Certainly.”
かしこまります can exist grammatically, but it does not replace the standard service response in the same natural way.
Kashikomarimashita vs Wakarimashita
This is the most important comparison for learners.
I understand. / Okay. / Got it.
⇒ focuses on understanding
⇒ standard polite language
⇒ widely used in everyday life, school, work, and ordinary instructions
かしこまりました
Certainly. / Understood; I will handle it.
⇒ respectfully receives and accepts a request or instruction
⇒ more deferential and service-oriented
⇒ especially common toward customers, clients, and formal guests
However, in highly polished customer service, かしこまりました or 承知いたしました shows more deference and often fits the role better.
Customer: Please bring me another towel.
わかりました。
Okay, I understand.
⇒ polite, but relatively neutral
かしこまりました。
Certainly. I will take care of that.
⇒ polished customer-service response
When Wakarimashita Is More Natural
わかりました is natural when the main point is intellectual understanding or ordinary acknowledgment.
先生：この問題は家でやってください。
Teacher: Please do this problem at home.学生：わかりました。
Student: Okay. / I understand.
友達：駅の前で六時に会おう。
Friend: Let’s meet in front of the station at six.あなた：わかりました。
You: Okay.
When Kashikomarimashita Is More Natural
かしこまりました is natural when the speaker is serving, assisting, or formally responding to someone whose request should be treated with particular respect.
お客様：窓側の席をお願いします。
Customer: A window seat, please.スタッフ：かしこまりました。
Staff: Certainly.
Can a Customer Say Kashikomarimashita?
Grammatically, anyone can say it. However, social roles affect how natural it sounds.
As a customer, わかりました, はい, or ありがとうございます is usually more natural.
かしこまりました。
Certainly.
Customer to staff:
わかりました。ありがとうございます。
I understand. Thank you.
Kashikomarimashita vs Shōchi Shimashita
Understood. / I acknowledge it.
⇒ common in business communication
⇒ politely communicates understanding and acceptance
かしこまりました
Certainly. / I have respectfully received your request.
⇒ warmer customer-service flavor
⇒ often spoken directly to a customer or guest
The two overlap considerably. The difference is often one of setting and tone rather than a sharp grammatical boundary.
かしこまりました。
⇒ especially natural
Office email or internal business message:
承知しました。
⇒ especially common
Highly polite business response:
承知いたしました。
⇒ more deferential than 承知しました
The best choice depends on your organization’s style and your relationship with the recipient.
Kashikomarimashita vs Ryōkai Shimashita
Understood. / Roger. / Got it.
⇒ efficient and relatively direct
⇒ common among colleagues, teams, and operational communication
かしこまりました
Certainly.
⇒ shows stronger deference
⇒ suited to customers and formal guests
了解しました is not inherently bad Japanese. However, because it sounds more like confirming shared information between peers, many workplaces prefer more deferential expressions toward clients or higher-ranking people.
For a formal client-facing situation, 承知しました, 承知いたしました, or かしこまりました is usually the safer choice.
Kashikomarimashita vs Uketamawarimashita
I have received your request/order/message.
⇒ humble expression related to receiving, hearing, or undertaking something
⇒ often confirms that specific details have been officially received
かしこまりました
Certainly. / Understood.
⇒ broader acknowledgment that the request has been accepted
ご予約、確かに承りました。
Goyoyaku, tashika ni uketamawarimashita.
We have received and confirmed your reservation.
かしこまりました。二名様で承ります。
Certainly. I will make the reservation for two people.
かしこまりました acknowledges the request politely, while 承りました can confirm that the order, reservation, or message has been formally received.
Kashikomarimashita vs Ryou Shō Shimashita
了承しました (ryōshō shimashita) means that the speaker accepts, approves, or consents to a matter.
I accept / approve / agree to it.
⇒ the speaker gives acceptance or consent
かしこまりました
Certainly / understood.
⇒ the speaker respectfully receives another person’s request
Because 了承する can sound like the speaker is in a position to grant approval, it may not fit as a routine response to a customer’s request.
A Simple Comparison Chart
Yes / I heard you
Best for: basic acknowledgment
わかりました
I understand / Okay
Best for: ordinary polite understanding
了解しました
Understood / Roger
Best for: colleagues and operational communication
承知しました
Understood / Acknowledged
Best for: polite business communication
承知いたしました
I have respectfully understood
Best for: formal business communication
かしこまりました
Certainly / I will take care of that
Best for: customer service and formal hospitality
承りました
I have received your order/request/message
Best for: confirming formal receipt
When Should You Use Kashikomarimashita?
・accepting a customer’s order
・confirming a hotel guest’s request
・responding to a client on the phone
・accepting a reservation change
・receiving instructions in a formal service role
・confirming that you will check or arrange something
・responding as a receptionist, concierge, clerk, or support representative
At a Restaurant
One iced coffee, please.
Staff: かしこまりました。
Certainly.
At a Hotel
Could I have two more towels?
Staff: かしこまりました。すぐにお持ちいたします。
Certainly. I will bring them immediately.
At a Shop
Please gift-wrap it.
Staff: かしこまりました。
Certainly.
On the Phone
Please give Mr./Ms. Tanaka a message.
Staff: かしこまりました。内容をお願いいたします。
Certainly. Please tell me the message.
When Kashikomarimashita Sounds Too Formal
The phrase can sound unnatural or humorous when used in very casual relationships.
Bring a pen tomorrow.
Natural response:
わかった。 / 了解。
Okay. / Got it.
Overly formal response:
かしこまりました。
Certainly, sir/madam.
This may sound like a joke or role-play.
The joke works because the phrase is much more formal than the relationship requires.
How to Use Kashikomarimashita in Customer Service
A professional response often follows this pattern:
かしこまりました。
2. Repeat or confirm the request
三時に変更ですね。
3. State the next action
ただいま変更いたします。
4. Give timing or instructions if needed
少々お待ちくださいませ。
Please change the delivery address to this address.
Staff: かしこまりました。配送先の変更ですね。確認いたしますので、少々お待ちくださいませ。
Certainly. You would like to change the delivery address. I will check that, so please wait a moment.
Useful Phrases After Kashikomarimashita
Certainly. Please wait a moment.
かしこまりました。すぐにお持ちいたします。
Certainly. I will bring it immediately.
かしこまりました。確認いたします。
Certainly. I will check.
かしこまりました。担当者に申し伝えます。
Certainly. I will pass the message to the person in charge.
かしこまりました。ご予約を変更いたします。
Certainly. I will change your reservation.
かしこまりました。こちらで手配いたします。
Certainly. I will arrange it here.
Using Kashikomarimashita in Business Email
The phrase can be used in email, but a complete response should also state exactly what you understood and what will happen next.
ご連絡ありがとうございます。
日程変更の件、かしこまりました。
7月20日午後3時に変更いたします。
Thank you for contacting us.
Certainly regarding the schedule change.
We will change it to July 20 at 3:00 p.m.
In many corporate emails, 承知しました or 承知いたしました may sound more neutral and businesslike.
Natural Customer-Service Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Restaurant Order
Two of this set, please.
Staff: かしこまりました。こちらのセットを二つですね。
Certainly. Two of this set, correct?
Customer: はい。
Yes.
Dialogue 2: Hotel Request
Please arrange a taxi for seven tomorrow morning.
Staff: かしこまりました。明朝七時に一台手配いたします。
Certainly. I will arrange one taxi for seven tomorrow morning.
Dialogue 3: Changing a Reservation
I would like to change my reservation to Friday.
Staff: かしこまりました。空き状況を確認いたします。
Certainly. I will check availability.
Dialogue 4: Gift Wrapping
Can you make this a gift?
Staff: かしこまりました。無料の包装でよろしいでしょうか？
Certainly. Would the complimentary wrapping be all right?
Dialogue 5: Telephone Message
Please tell them to call Sato when they return.
Staff: かしこまりました。佐藤様へお電話するよう申し伝えます。
Certainly. I will tell them to call Mr./Ms. Sato.
Dialogue 6: Online Support
I would like to change my registered email address.
Support: かしこまりました。本人確認の方法をご案内いたします。
Certainly. I will explain the identity-verification procedure.
Dialogue 7: A Request That Requires Checking
Can you deliver it today?
Staff: 本日中の配送が可能か確認いたします。少々お待ちください。
I will check whether delivery today is possible. Please wait a moment.
It is safer to promise to check than to sound as though the delivery request has already been accepted.
Kashikomarimashita in Anime and Fiction
In anime, games, and dramas, かしこまりました often helps establish a character’s social role.
かしこまりました、ご主人様。
Certainly, Master.
Hotel or restaurant employee:
かしこまりました。少々お待ちくださいませ。
Certainly. Please wait a moment.
Formal subordinate:
かしこまりました。直ちに向かいます。
Understood. I will go immediately.
Humorous friend:
かしこまりました、社長！
Certainly, boss!
Intentionally over-formal.
The “butler” feeling comes from the setting and performance, not from the phrase alone.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Translating It Only as “I Understand”
The phrase often includes respectful acceptance and willingness to act. In many scenes, “Certainly” is better than the flat “I understand.”
Mistake 2: Using It for Pure Intellectual Understanding
わかりました。
I understand.
Customer gives an order:
かしこまりました。
Certainly.
Mistake 3: Using It Casually with Everyone
With friends and family, it may sound stiff, humorous, or role-play-like.
Mistake 4: Saying It Before Confirming Feasibility
If you do not yet know whether the request can be fulfilled, say that you will check.
Mistake 5: Assuming Wakarimashita Is Always Rude
わかりました is a polite expression. It is simply less deferential and less specifically service-oriented than かしこまりました.
Mistake 6: Confusing It with Kashikoi
かしこまりました is historically related to forms expressing awe and respect. It does not mean “I became smart.” Modern 賢い (kashikoi) means clever or wise.
Mistake 7: Overusing It in Email Without Confirming Details
A professional response should often repeat the request, date, quantity, or next action.
Natural Example Sentences with Kashikomarimashita
かしこまりました。少々お待ちください。
Kashikomarimashita. Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Certainly. Please wait a moment.
かしこまりました。すぐにお持ちします。
Kashikomarimashita. Sugu ni omochi shimasu.
Certainly. I will bring it immediately.
かしこまりました。予約を変更いたします。
Kashikomarimashita. Yoyaku o henkō itashimasu.
Certainly. I will change the reservation.
かしこまりました。担当者に確認いたします。
Kashikomarimashita. Tantōsha ni kakunin itashimasu.
Certainly. I will check with the person in charge.
はい、かしこまりました。
Hai, kashikomarimashita.
Yes, certainly.
ご注文、かしこまりました。
Gochūmon, kashikomarimashita.
Your order has been noted.
日程変更の件、かしこまりました。
Nittei henkō no ken, kashikomarimashita.
Certainly regarding the schedule change.
かしこまりました。明日の午前中にお届けします。
Kashikomarimashita. Ashita no gozenchū ni otodoke shimasu.
Certainly. We will deliver it tomorrow morning.
かしこまりました。二名様で承ります。
Kashikomarimashita. Nimei-sama de uketamawarimasu.
Certainly. I will make the reservation for two.
かしこまりました。こちらで手配いたします。
Kashikomarimashita. Kochira de tehai itashimasu.
Certainly. We will arrange it.
かしこまりました。ご希望の色を確認いたします。
Kashikomarimashita. Gokibō no iro o kakunin itashimasu.
Certainly. I will confirm your preferred color.
かしこまりました。内容を復唱いたします。
Kashikomarimashita. Naiyō o fukushō itashimasu.
Certainly. I will repeat the details back to you.
FAQ About Kashikomarimashita
What does kashikomarimashita mean?
かしこまりました is a highly polite acknowledgment meaning “Certainly,” “Understood,” or “I will take care of that.” It respectfully accepts a request, order, or instruction.
Is kashikomarimashita keigo?
It is a conventional respectful response used in polite and formal communication, especially customer service. It expresses deference toward the other person and their request.
How do you pronounce kashikomarimashita?
Pronounce it in eight morae: か・し・こ・ま・り・ま・し・た. In natural speech, the vowel in the second し may be light, making ました sound close to mash-ta.
How is kashikomarimashita written in kanji?
It can be written 畏まりました, but the hiragana spelling かしこまりました is very common and professional.
What is the difference between kashikomarimashita and wakarimashita?
わかりました focuses on understanding and is standard polite language. かしこまりました more deferentially receives and accepts a request, making it especially suitable for customer service.
Is wakarimashita rude to a customer or boss?
It is not automatically rude; it is a polite form. However, かしこまりました or 承知いたしました may better match a highly formal or customer-facing role.
What is the difference between kashikomarimashita and shōchi shimashita?
Both express polite understanding and acceptance. 承知しました is common in business communication, while かしこまりました has a stronger customer-service and hospitality flavor.
What is the difference between kashikomarimashita and shōchi itashimashita?
承知いたしました is a more deferential business expression meaning “I have understood.” It is especially common in formal emails and client communication. かしこまりました often sounds warmer and more service-oriented.
What is the difference between kashikomarimashita and ryōkai shimashita?
了解しました is a relatively direct “Understood” and is common among colleagues. かしこまりました shows greater deference and is more suitable toward customers and formal guests.
What is the difference between kashikomarimashita and uketamawarimashita?
承りました confirms that an order, request, reservation, or message has been formally received. かしこまりました broadly acknowledges and accepts what the other person requested.
Can a customer say kashikomarimashita?
Yes, but it may sound unusually formal or service-like. A customer will usually respond with はい, わかりました, or ありがとうございます.
Can I use kashikomarimashita with friends?
You can, but it will usually sound deliberately formal, humorous, or theatrical. With friends, わかった or 了解 is more natural.
Can I use kashikomarimashita in email?
Yes. It is polite, particularly in service-oriented communication. In formal corporate email, 承知いたしました is also very common.
Why is kashikomarimashita in the past tense?
The completed form presents the act of respectfully receiving and accepting the request as complete. It functions as a present acknowledgment: “Understood” or “Certainly.”
Does kashikomarimashita mean “I became smart”?
No. It comes from かしこまる, meaning to behave respectfully or humbly receive an instruction. It is not the past form of 賢い, meaning clever.
Summary: Kashikomarimashita Meaning and Customer-Service Usage
かしこまりました means “Certainly,” “Understood,” or “I will take care of that.”
● Core image
The speaker respectfully receives and accepts another person’s request or instruction.
● Pronunciation
か・し・こ・ま・り・ま・し・た — eight morae.
The し in ました may sound light in natural speech.
● Writing
Common: かしこまりました
Possible kanji: 畏まりました
● Best situations
Restaurants, hotels, shops, call centers, reception desks, formal hospitality, and client service.
● Main comparison
わかりました = I understand / Okay
かしこまりました = Certainly; I respectfully accept and will handle it
● Related expressions
承知しました = polite business “Understood”
承知いたしました = highly polite business acknowledgment
了解しました = direct “Understood,” often among colleagues
承りました = I have formally received your order/request/message
● Important caution
Do not use かしこまりました as an automatic promise when you have not confirmed that the request can be fulfilled.
わかりました
“I understand.”
かしこまりました
“I respectfully understand, accept your request, and will respond appropriately.”
That extra attitude of respectful service is the heart of the expression.
References
- Kotobank / Seisenban Nihon Kokugo Daijiten: かしこまりました
- Kotobank / Digital Daijisen and Seisenban Nihon Kokugo Daijiten: かしこまる
- Kotobank / Progressive Japanese-English Dictionary: 畏まる
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Guidelines for Honorific Language
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Guidance on Honorific Language
- The Japan Foundation, IRODORI Grammar Notes: polite and honorific communication