Japanese for Work: Asking Colleagues for Help Politely
Learn to ask colleagues for work-related favors in Japanese using 〜ていただけますか and 〜をお願いできますか, with appropriate keigo for professional contexts.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In a Japanese workplace, asking a colleague for help requires more than a direct request. Politeness and appropriate keigo (honorific language) are essential to maintain good relationships. This lesson teaches you how to ask for work-related favors, such as helping with a report, using natural and respectful expressions. You'll learn key phrases, the difference between casual and polite requests, and how to respond appropriately. By the end, you'll be able to make requests that are both clear and considerate, fitting seamlessly into professional interactions.
By the end, you can…
- politely ask a colleague to help with a work task using 〜ていただけますか.
- use 〜をお願いできますか to make a formal request for assistance.
- soften requests with 恐れ入りますが and お手数ですが.
- respond appropriately when a colleague asks me for help.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、この報告書を手伝っていただけますか。
I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy, but could you help me with this report?
O-isogashii tokoro osoreirimasu ga, kono hōkokusho o tetsudatte itadakemasu ka.
Use this when approaching a colleague who seems busy. 恐れ入りますが softens the request and shows consideration.
この資料の作成をお願いできますか。
Could I ask you to prepare this document?
Kono shiryō no sakusei o onegai dekimasu ka.
A direct but polite request for a task. お願いできますか is a standard keigo form for asking favors.
お手数ですが、確認していただけますか。
I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you check this?
O-tesū desu ga, kakunin shite itadakemasu ka.
Use お手数ですが when asking for a small but necessary task. It acknowledges the effort involved.
申し訳ありませんが、少しお時間いただけますか。
I'm sorry, but could you spare a moment?
Mōshiwake arimasen ga, sukoshi o-jikan itadakemasu ka.
A polite way to ask for someone's time. お時間いただけますか is more formal than 時間ありますか.
ご協力いただけますと幸いです。
I would appreciate your cooperation.
Go-kyōryoku itadakemasu to saiwai desu.
A formal expression often used in emails or when making a request to multiple people. It softens the request.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜ていただけますか is a polite way to ask someone to do something. It is formed by taking the te-form of a verb and adding いただけますか. For example, 手伝う (tetsudau) becomes 手伝って (tetsudatte) + いただけますか. This pattern is more formal than 〜てくれますか and is appropriate for workplace requests. Similarly, 〜をお願いできますか is used with nouns: 資料の作成をお願いできますか (Could I ask you to prepare the document?). Both patterns show respect and are essential for professional Japanese.
When to use it
Use these patterns when asking colleagues for work-related favors. They are suitable for peers, but if you are asking a superior, you may need even more humble language, such as 〜ていただけないでしょうか. When making a request, always consider the other person's workload. Phrases like お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが (I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy) or お手数ですが (I'm sorry to trouble you) show empathy. Avoid direct commands like 手伝って (Help me), which can sound rude. In emails, you can use ご協力いただけますと幸いです (I would appreciate your cooperation) to be extra polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが、この報告書を手伝っていただけますか。
I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy, but could you help me with this report?O-isogashii tokoro osoreirimasu ga, kono hōkokusho o tetsudatte itadakemasu ka.はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。
Yes, that's fine. When do you need it by?Hai, daijōbu desu yo. Itsu made ni hitsuyō desu ka.明日の午後までにできると助かります。お手数ですが、よろしくお願いします。
It would help if you could do it by tomorrow afternoon. I'm sorry to trouble you, but thank you in advance.Ashita no gogo made ni dekiru to tasukarimasu. O-tesū desu ga, yoroshiku onegai shimasu.承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。
Understood. I'll check and get back to you.Shōchi shimashita. Kakunin shite kara, mata go-renraku shimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese business culture, asking for favors requires a balance of clarity and humility. Using keigo shows respect for the other person's time and position. It's common to preface requests with apologies for the imposition, such as 恐れ入りますが or お手数ですが. Additionally, the response 承知しました (Shōchi shimashita) is a formal way to say 'understood' and is preferred over わかりました in professional settings. When receiving help, always express gratitude with 助かりました (It helped me) or ありがとうございます.
One thing to watch for
Using casual forms like 手伝ってくれる？ with colleagues you don't know well.
Try this instead: In professional settings, use polite forms like 手伝っていただけますか. For example, instead of これ、やってくれる？, say これをお願いできますか. This shows respect and maintains a professional atmosphere.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a colleague to check a document?
Show a sample answer
この資料を確認していただけますか。
This uses the te-form + いただけますか pattern, which is polite and appropriate for work requests. Alternatives like 確認をお願いできますか are also correct.
2What phrase can you use to acknowledge the other person's busy schedule before making a request?
Show a sample answer
お忙しいところ恐れ入りますが
This phrase shows consideration for the colleague's time. Other options include お手数ですが or 恐れ入りますが, depending on the situation.
3How would you respond if a colleague asks for your help and you agree?
Show a sample answer
はい、大丈夫ですよ。
This is a friendly and polite way to agree. In more formal contexts, you might say 承知しました. Both are acceptable, but 承知しました is more formal.
When asking colleagues for work favors in Japanese, use 〜ていただけますか or 〜をお願いできますか with softeners like 恐れ入りますが. Always show appreciation for their time and effort.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr