In this workshop, you will practice polite Japanese for asking a coworker for help. You will hear short, realistic exchanges and use them as models. The focus is on speaking clearly, using a soft opening, and checking that you understand the other person's reply. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Opening a Polite Request
A polite request often starts with a short apology for interrupting. This softens the request and shows respect for the other person's time. In «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。», the speaker says, "I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy, but could you help me with this report?" The first part apologizes for the interruption, and the second part asks for help with a report. In «この資料の作成をお願いできますか。», the speaker says, "Could I ask you to prepare this document?" This is a direct but polite way to ask someone to prepare a document. In «お手数ですが、確認していただけますか。», the speaker says, "I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you check this?" Here, the apology comes first, then the request to check something. In «申し訳ありませんが、少しお時間いただけますか。», the speaker says, "I'm sorry, but could you spare a moment?" This is a short way to ask for a little of someone's time. Notice that each request uses a polite form and often includes an apology. When you speak, keep your voice calm and friendly. Pause briefly after the apology, then say the request clearly.
Understanding the Reply and Confirming Timing
After you make a request, the other person may agree and ask for more information. In «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。», the speaker says, "Yes, that's fine. When do you need it by?" This means the person agrees to help and wants to know the deadline. You should be ready to give a clear time. In «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。», the speaker says, "It would help if you could do it by tomorrow afternoon. I'm sorry to trouble you, but thank you in advance." This gives a specific time and adds another apology and thanks. In «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。», the speaker says, "Understood. I'll check and get back to you." This means the person understands and will check something before replying again. When you hear a reply, listen for agreement words and time words. If you are the one asking, be ready to say when you need the help. If you are the one replying, you can agree and ask for the deadline. Practice both roles so you can respond naturally.
Putting It Together in a Short Exchange
A full exchange can be short and polite. In «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。», the speaker says, "I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy, but could you help me with this report?" This is the opening request and shows a common way to begin. Then in «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。», the other person agrees and asks for the deadline. In «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。», the first speaker gives a time and thanks the other person. Finally, in «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。», the other person confirms and says they will check and get back. This four-line pattern is useful for many workplace requests. When you practice, try to keep the same order: apologize, request, agree, ask timing, give timing, thank, confirm. You do not need to add new phrases. Use the recorded lines as your model. Speak slowly and clearly, and repeat until you feel comfortable.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
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?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?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.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.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask for Help
You are at work and need help with a report. You will play the role of the person asking. Use the recorded lines as your model. You can play the audio for the other person's reply.
Your task: First, listen to «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。» and repeat it aloud. Then imagine a coworker is in front of you. Say the same line to ask for help with a report. After you speak, play «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。» to hear the reply. Then say the line from «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。» to give a deadline and thank the person. Finally, play «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。» to hear the confirmation.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You will hear a coworker's reply and choose the best next line from the recorded options. This checks if you understand agreement and timing questions.
Your task: Play «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。». The coworker says, "Yes, that's fine. When do you need it by?" Which recorded line is the best next response? Option A: «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。». Option B: «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。». Say your choice aloud, then say the full line you chose. After that, play «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。» and say what it means in English.
Recall and Role Swap: Full Exchange
Now you will recall the full exchange without looking at the lines. You will play both roles. This helps you remember the order and the polite phrases.
Your task: First, play the role of the person asking. Say the opening request from «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。» from memory. Then play «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。» and listen. Next, say the deadline and thanks from «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。» from memory. Then play «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。» and listen. After that, switch roles. Play «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。» and listen. Then say the agreement and timing question from «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。» from memory. Play «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。» and listen. Finally, say the confirmation from «承知しました。確認してから、またご連絡します。» from memory.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every line exactly?
It is helpful to memorize the lines as models, but you can also use them as patterns. The goal is to become comfortable with the polite opening, the request, the timing question, and the confirmation. Repeat the recordings and say the lines aloud until they feel natural. You can then use the same pattern in similar situations.
How can I practice if I am alone?
You can play both roles by using the audio for one side and speaking the other side yourself. For example, play «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。» and then say the reply from «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。» yourself. Then play «はい、大丈夫ですよ。いつまでに必要ですか。» and say the line from «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。» yourself. This lets you practice listening and speaking in turn. You can also record yourself and compare your rhythm and politeness with the original recordings.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: asking for a favor at workChecked September 2026
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