Sometimes you need to speak while someone else is talking. In Japanese, you can enter the conversation politely by asking for a moment first. This workshop gives you short, useful phrases for that situation. You will hear native models, repeat them, choose the right reply, and then practice both roles in a short exchange. The focus is on speaking clearly and politely, not on speed. Take your time, listen carefully, and say each line out loud.
Asking for a Moment
The first step is to get the other person's attention without sounding rude. A simple polite opener is «すみません、ちょっといいですか。». It means you want a short moment of their time. You can use it when someone is speaking and you need to say something soon. Say it with a calm, slightly rising intonation at the end. After the person stops and looks at you, you can continue with your point. If you are clearly entering a conversation that is already going on, you can also apologize for cutting in with «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。». This line means you are sorry for entering while they are talking. It softens the interruption and shows respect. Practice both lines slowly, then a little faster. Keep your voice gentle and clear.
Saying It Is Urgent and Short
When your message cannot wait, you can explain that it is urgent and that you will be quick. A useful phrase is «急ぎなので、一言いいですか。». It means the matter is urgent, so you are asking to say one short thing. This tells the listener that you will not take a long turn. After you get permission, you can promise to be brief with «手短に言いますね。». It means you will say it briefly. These two lines work well together: first ask, then promise to be short. In a real conversation, the other person may answer with a short go-ahead. You do not need to add more explanation. Say your point, then thank the person or continue listening. Practice the rhythm: urgent request, then brief promise.
A Short Exchange to Practice
Here is a short scene. One person is talking about a meeting and materials. The speaker says «来週の会議ですが、資料は金曜日までに送ります。». This means they are talking about next week's meeting and will send the materials by Friday. Then the other person interrupts politely with «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。急ぎなので、一言いいですか。». This combines an apology for cutting in with an urgent request to say one thing. The first speaker answers with «はい、どうぞ。», which means yes, go ahead. Then the interrupting speaker gives the short message with «金曜日は祝日です。木曜日に送ってもらえますか。». This says that Friday is a holiday and asks if the materials can be sent on Thursday. Notice the order: apologize, explain urgency, ask to speak, get permission, then say the short point. Practice both roles. When you are the listener, answer clearly with «はい、どうぞ。». When you are the speaker, use «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。急ぎなので、一言いいですか。» and then «金曜日は祝日です。木曜日に送ってもらえますか。».
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
すみません、ちょっといいですか。
Excuse me, can I have a moment?
su-mi-ma-sen, cho-tto i-i de-su ka
すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。
Sorry to cut in.
su-mi-ma-sen, wa-ri-kon-de go-men-na-sai
急ぎなので、一言いいですか。
It's urgent, so can I say one thing?
i-so-gi na no de, hi-to-ko-to i-i de-su ka
手短に言いますね。
I'll say it briefly.
te-mi-ji-ka ni i-i-ma-su ne
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
来週の会議ですが、資料は金曜日までに送ります。
About next week's meeting, I'll send the materials by Friday.すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。急ぎなので、一言いいですか。
Excuse me, sorry to cut in. It's urgent, so can I say one thing?はい、どうぞ。
Yes, go ahead.金曜日は祝日です。木曜日に送ってもらえますか。
Friday is a holiday. Could you send them on Thursday?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 and Continue
You are in a small meeting. A coworker is speaking. You need to say something soon. Use the polite opener and then promise to be brief.
Your task: Say the line from «すみません、ちょっといいですか。» out loud. Then say the line from «手短に言いますね。» out loud. Imagine the coworker has stopped and is looking at you. Keep your voice calm and clear.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You hear someone interrupt with «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。急ぎなので、一言いいですか。». They apologize for cutting in and ask if they can say one urgent thing. You are the listener.
Your task: Choose the best reply from these two options: A) «はい、どうぞ。» B) «手短に言いますね。». Say your chosen line out loud. Then explain in English why it fits.
Role Recall: Speaker and Listener
You will practice both roles in the short exchange. First you are the listener, then you are the speaker. Use only the lines you have practiced.
Your task: As the listener, respond to the interruption with «はい、どうぞ。». Then switch roles. As the speaker, say «来週の会議ですが、資料は金曜日までに送ります。» as your opening line, then say «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。急ぎなので、一言いいですか。», wait for the listener to say «はい、どうぞ。», and then say «金曜日は祝日です。木曜日に送ってもらえますか。». Do this twice, once for each role.
Common questions
When should I use «すみません、ちょっといいですか。» instead of «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。»?
Use «すみません、ちょっといいですか。» when you simply need a moment and the other person is speaking. Use «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。» when you are clearly entering a conversation that is already going on and you want to apologize for cutting in. Both are polite, but «すみません、割り込んでごめんなさい。» directly mentions the interruption.
What does «急ぎなので、一言いいですか。» mean and when do I say it?
«急ぎなので、一言いいですか。» means the matter is urgent, so you are asking to say one short thing. Say it when you need to speak soon and your point is brief. It tells the listener that you will not take a long turn. After permission, you can say «手短に言いますね。» to promise to be brief.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: interrupt politelyChecked September 2026
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