In this workshop, you will practice politely excusing yourself from a conversation or gathering in Japanese. You will use set phrases and give simple reasons for leaving, focusing on speaking and understanding polite departures. You will hear native examples and then try a guided exchange, reply comprehension, and recall with correct roles. This is active practice, so be ready to speak aloud. Even as a beginner, you can use these patterns to sound natural and respectful. The recordings provide natural examples, and the answer keys are visible after each exercise so you can check yourself.
Key Phrases for Polite Departure
When you need to leave a gathering or conversation, a few set phrases can help you bow out politely. One common phrase is «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。». This means 'Excuse me, I have an early start tomorrow, so I should be going soon.' The source note explains that 'node' gives a reason. Another polite phrase is «申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。», which means 'I'm sorry, I have a prior engagement.' This is very formal and leaves the sentence trailing, implying 'so I must go.' A set phrase for leaving before others is «お先に失礼します。», meaning 'Excuse me for leaving before you.' It is often used at work or in group settings. For a casual situation, you can say «そろそろ帰りますね。», which means 'I'm going to head home soon.' The source note says 'ne' seeks agreement or softens the statement. Practice saying these phrases aloud, paying attention to polite tone.
Responding to Someone Leaving
When someone tells you they are leaving, you should respond appropriately. In the source dialogue, when speaker A says «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。», speaker B replies with «そうですか。お疲れさまでした。», which means 'I see. Thank you for your hard work.' This is a common response in workplace or group settings. Later in the same dialogue, speaker A says «お先に失礼します。また明日。», meaning 'Excuse me for leaving before you. See you tomorrow.' Speaker B replies with «はい、お気をつけて。», which means 'Okay, take care.' Notice that these responses acknowledge the person's departure and show consideration. Practice both roles: the person leaving and the person staying. This will help you understand the flow of a polite goodbye.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。
Excuse me, I have an early start tomorrow, so I should be going soon.
Sumimasen, ashita hayai node, sorosoro shitsurei shimasu.
申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。
I'm sorry, I have a prior engagement.
Moushiwake arimasen, sen'yaku ga arimashite.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.
そろそろ帰りますね。
I'm going to head home soon.
Sorosoro kaerimasu ne.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。
Excuse me, I have an early start tomorrow, so I should be going soon.そうですか。お疲れさまでした。
I see. Thank you for your hard work.お先に失礼します。また明日。
Excuse me for leaving before you. See you tomorrow.はい、お気をつけて。
Okay, take care.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Leaving a Gathering
Imagine you are at a small gathering with colleagues. You need to leave early because you have an early start tomorrow. You will play the role of the person leaving. Use the phrase from the recording to excuse yourself.
Your task: Rehearse A leaving and B staying: A «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。» B «そうですか。お疲れさまでした。» A «お先に失礼します。また明日。» B «はい、お気をつけて。» End the spoken rehearsal there; no additional response is required.
Match the replies in this recording
Listen to the four dialogue clips. This task checks their recorded order; more than one courteous reply may work in real life.
Your task: Which recorded B line follows A’s early-start explanation? Which B line follows A’s See you tomorrow? Choose between «そうですか。お疲れさまでした。» and «はい、お気をつけて。» Say each paired exchange aloud.
Recall with Correct Roles: Who Says What?
In this exercise, you will recall the exact phrases and match them to the correct speaker role. This helps you remember who says what in a polite departure exchange.
Your task: Look at the following phrases: «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。», «申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。», «お先に失礼します。», «そろそろ帰りますね。», «そうですか。お疲れさまでした。», «はい、お気をつけて。». Decide whether each is typically said by the person leaving or the person staying. Say your answer aloud. Then check: «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。», «申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。», «お先に失礼します。», and «そろそろ帰りますね。» are said by the person leaving. «そうですか。お疲れさまでした。» and «はい、お気をつけて。» are said by the person staying. Now, practice saying each phrase with the correct role. For example, say «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。» as if you are leaving, and «そうですか。お疲れさまでした。» as if you are staying.
Common questions
What is the difference between «すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。» and «申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。»?
«すみません、明日早いので、そろそろ失礼します。» is a polite way to say you have an early start tomorrow and should be going soon. It uses 'node' to give a reason. «申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。» is more formal and means 'I'm sorry, I have a prior engagement.' It is used when you need to decline an invitation or leave due to previous plans. Both are polite, but «申し訳ありません、先約がありまして。» is more formal and leaves the sentence trailing.
When should I use «お先に失礼します。» instead of «そろそろ帰りますね。»?
«お先に失礼します。» means 'Excuse me for leaving before you' and is a set phrase used when leaving before others, especially at work or in a group setting. «そろそろ帰りますね。» means 'I'm going to head home soon' and is casual and friendly, used among friends or close colleagues. Use «お先に失礼します。» in more formal or workplace situations, and «そろそろ帰りますね。» with people you are close to.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: making excuses to leaveChecked September 2026
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