How to Interrupt Politely in Japanese Business Meetings
Learn formal Japanese phrases for interrupting a meeting politely, including how to ask for permission to speak, add a point, or ask a clarifying question in workplace settings.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Japanese business meetings, interrupting someone directly can seem abrupt, so speakers usually ask permission before adding a point or asking a question. This lesson teaches formal interruption phrases such as よろしいでしょうか and 一点だけ補足させていただけますか. You will learn how to enter a discussion smoothly, how to signal that your comment is brief, and how to avoid sounding confrontational when you disagree. The focus is on workplace register, not casual conversation with friends.
By the end, you can…
- ask permission to speak during a formal Japanese meeting.
- add a brief point or ask a clarifying question without sounding abrupt.
- use softened disagreement phrases in a business discussion.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
お話し中、失礼いたします。
Excuse me for interrupting while you are speaking.
o-hanashi-chū, shitsurei itashimasu
A very safe opening when you need to cut into a discussion. It acknowledges the interruption before you make your point.
一点だけよろしいでしょうか。
May I say one thing?
itten dake yoroshii deshō ka
Use this when you want to add a short comment. 一点だけ signals that you will be brief, which makes the interruption easier to accept.
補足させていただけますか。
May I add a supplementary point?
hosoku sasete itadakemasu ka
Formal and useful when you are adding information to what someone just said. The humble form させていただけますか lowers your position politely.
質問してもよろしいでしょうか。
May I ask a question?
shitsumon shite mo yoroshii deshō ka
A standard polite way to ask a question in a meeting. It works well after a presentation or when you need clarification.
その点について、少し確認させてください。
Let me confirm one point about that.
sono ten ni tsuite, sukoshi kakunin sasete kudasai
Use this when you want to check a detail before continuing. It sounds cooperative rather than challenging.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A common formal pattern is 〜させていただけますか, which means 'May I do ...?' It uses a causative form plus the humble auxiliary いただく. For example, 発言させていただけますか means 'May I speak?' and 確認させていただけますか means 'May I confirm?' This pattern is more polite than 〜してもいいですか and is appropriate for meetings with clients, senior colleagues, or managers. You can also use よろしいでしょうか after a noun phrase: 一点だけよろしいでしょうか. Both patterns keep your request indirect and respectful.
When to use it
Use these phrases when the meeting is formal and you need to enter the conversation without seeming rude. If the speaker is mid-sentence, start with お話し中、失礼いたします, then state your request. If you only need a quick clarification, 質問してもよろしいでしょうか is enough. If you are adding information, 補足させていただけますか is precise. In a less formal internal meeting, すみません、ちょっといいですか may be acceptable, but for clients or senior staff, keep the よろしいでしょうか or させていただけますか pattern.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
それでは、来期の販売計画について説明いたします。
Now, I will explain the sales plan for next term.sore de wa, raiki no hanbai keikaku ni tsuite setsumei itashimasuお話し中、失礼いたします。一点だけよろしいでしょうか。
Excuse me for interrupting. May I say one thing?o-hanashi-chū, shitsurei itashimasu. itten dake yoroshii deshō kaはい、どうぞ。
Yes, please go ahead.hai, dōzo補足させていただけますか。昨年度のデータでは、その数値は少し異なっていました。
May I add a supplementary point? In last year's data, that figure was slightly different.hosoku sasete itadakemasu ka. sakunen-do no dēta de wa, sono sūchi wa sukoshi kotonatte imashitaA little context goes a long way
In Japanese meetings, the person who interrupts often frames the interruption as a request for permission rather than a direct statement. This preserves group harmony and shows respect for the current speaker. Silence is also common while someone is speaking, so wait for a natural pause before using these phrases. If you are senior or chairing the meeting, you can interrupt more directly, but for learners it is safer to stay with the polite patterns.
One thing to watch for
Using ちょっといい？ in a formal client meeting because it is short and easy.
Try this instead: ちょっといい？ is casual and can sound too familiar with clients or senior colleagues. Use 一点だけよろしいでしょうか or お話し中、失礼いたします instead. For example, say お話し中、失礼いたします。一点だけよろしいでしょうか to interrupt politely.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You need to add a short point during a meeting with a client. What formal phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
一点だけよろしいでしょうか。
This asks 'May I say one thing?' and signals that your comment will be brief. 補足させていただけますか is also valid if you are adding supplementary information.
2You want to ask a clarifying question after a presentation. Which phrase is appropriate?
Show a sample answer
質問してもよろしいでしょうか。
This politely asks 'May I ask a question?' It is suitable after a presentation. 確認させていただけますか is another valid option when you need to confirm a detail.
3You are interrupting while someone is still speaking. What should you say first?
Show a sample answer
お話し中、失礼いたします。
This acknowledges the interruption before you make your request. You can follow it with 一点だけよろしいでしょうか or another permission phrase.
In formal Japanese meetings, ask permission before you interrupt: start with お話し中、失礼いたします, then use よろしいでしょうか or させていただけますか to add your point politely.
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