Renegotiating a Deadline with Clear Priorities | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At work, two colleagues plan how to request a short extension after a project scope expands..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Renegotiating a Deadline with Clear Priorities to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

締め切りは明日ですが、今朝プロジェクトの範囲が広がりました。

shee-meh-KEE-ree wa ah-SHEE-tah dess-gah, keh-SAH proh-JEK-toh noh hahn-EE gah hee-roh-gah-ree-mah-SHEE-tah. The deadline is tomorrow, but the project scope expanded this morning.
B

クライアントはどの部分を最初に必要としていますか。

koo-rye-AHN-toh wa doh-noh boo-BOON oh SIGH-shoh nee hee-tsu-YOH toh shee-TEH-ee-mahss kah. Which part does the client need first?
A

クライアントはまず概要を必要としていますが、詳しい図表は後でも大丈夫です。

koo-rye-AHN-toh wa mah-ZOO guy-YOH oh hee-tsu-YOH toh shee-TEH-ee-mahss gah, koo-wah-SHEE zhoo-HYOH wa ah-TOH deh-moh die-JOH-boo dess. They need the summary first, but the detailed charts can wait.
B

それなら、優先度の低い部分について短い延長を頼みましょう。

soh-reh-NAH-rah, yoo-SEN-doh noh hee-KOO-ee boo-BOON nee tsoo-EE-teh mee-JEE-kai en-CHOH oh tah-NOH-mee-mah-SHOH. Then ask for a short extension on the lower-priority sections.
A

自分の時間管理に失敗したように聞こえるのは避けたいです。

jee-BOON noh JEE-kahn mahn-REE nee shee-PAI shee-tah YOH-oo nee KEE-koh-eh-roo noh wa ah-SHEH-tai dess. I don't want it to sound like I failed to manage my time.
B

品質と、受け取った新しい情報を中心に伝えてください。

heen-SHEE-tsoo toh, oo-keh-TOH-tah ah-tah-rah-SHEE-ee joh-HOH oh CHOO-shin nee tsoo-TAH-eh-teh koo-DAH-sai. Frame it around quality and the new information you received.
A

概要は明日、図表はその翌日に提出すると言えます。

guy-YOH wa ah-SHEE-tah, zhoo-HYOH wa soh-noh YOH-koo-jee-tsoo nee tay-SHOOT-soo soo-roh toh ee-EH-mahss. I can say I'll deliver the summary tomorrow and the charts the following day.
B

それなら、相手に現実的な予定と明確な選択肢を示せます。

soh-reh-NAH-rah, ahy-TEH nee gen-jee-tsoo-TEH-kee nah yoo-TEH toh may-KAH-koo nah sen-TAH-koo-shee oh shee-SHEH-mahss. That gives them a realistic timeline and a clear choice.
A

相手が返事をする時間を持てるように、すぐにメッセージを送ります。

ah-TEH gah hen-JEE oh soo-roo JEE-kahn oh moh-TEH-roo YOH-oo nee, soo-GOO nee mehss-SAY-jee oh oh-KOO-ree-mahss. I'll send the message soon so they have time to respond.
B

そうすれば、明日になる前にスケジュールの変更が明確になります。

soh-oo soo-REH-bah, ah-SHEE-tah nee nah-ROO mae nee soo-keh-JOO-roo noh hen-KOH gah may-KAH-koo nah-ree-mahss. That way, the schedule change is clear before tomorrow.

Word by Word

締め切り 締め切り means the deadline in this dialogue. It is the date or time by which work is expected, and it is the topic of the statement 締め切りは明日です. In a work situation, use it when discussing when a task must be completed.
は は marks 締め切り as the topic in 締め切りは明日です. It presents the topic before giving information about it. A common reusable pattern is a noun followed by は and a statement about that noun.
明日 明日 means tomorrow here, identifying when the deadline is. It is a time expression used before the polite statement 明日です. Use it when arranging work or other events for the next day.
です です makes 明日です a polite statement meaning that it is tomorrow. Here it follows the time expression 明日. It is useful when giving straightforward information politely in a workplace conversation.
が が connects the two parts of 締め切りは明日ですが、今朝... with a contrastive meaning. The first fact is followed by an important different fact about the project scope. A common reusable pattern is one statement followed by が and another statement.
今朝 今朝 means this morning and identifies when the project scope expanded. It appears before the predicate in 今朝プロジェクトの範囲が広がりました. Use it when reporting something that happened earlier on the same morning.
プロジェクト プロジェクト means project in this workplace context. In プロジェクトの範囲, it identifies whose scope is being discussed. It is commonly used before の when linking a project to one of its aspects.
の の links プロジェクト to 範囲 in プロジェクトの範囲, meaning the project's scope. It connects two nouns so that the first describes or specifies the second. A common reusable pattern is noun の noun.
範囲 範囲 means scope or range here, specifically the amount of work included in the project. In プロジェクトの範囲が広がりました, it is the thing whose scope became wider. Use it when discussing the limits or coverage of a project, task, or topic.
広がりました 広がりました means expanded or became wider in this dialogue. It reports a completed change in プロジェクトの範囲が広がりました. Use it when the amount, area, or scope of something has increased.
クライアント クライアント means the client, the party receiving the project work. In クライアントはどの部分を... it is the topic and the person whose needs are being discussed. Use it in workplace conversations about a customer's requests or priorities.
どの どの asks which one when placed before a noun, as in どの部分. It narrows the question to one part among several possible parts. A common reusable pattern is どの followed directly by a noun.
部分 部分 means part or section in どの部分. It refers to one division of the project work, and it is marked as the object of need by を. Use it when separating a larger task, document, or project into sections.
を を marks 部分 as the object in どの部分を必要としていますか. It shows which part is needed. A common reusable pattern is a noun followed by を before the verb or expression describing the action toward it.
最初 最初 means first or at the beginning in 最初に. Here it identifies the part of the order in which the client needs something. Use it with に before an action when specifying what should happen first.
に に marks the order or timing in 最初に必要としています, giving the sense of first. It turns 最初 into a point at which or order in which something is done. A common reusable pattern is 最初に followed by an action.
必要 必要 expresses need in 必要としています, referring to what the client requires first. Together with としています, it describes the client's current need for the specified part. A reusable pattern is an object followed by を and 必要としています.
と と connects 必要 with しています in 必要としています. It helps form the expression that someone regards or needs something in the stated way. Here it links the idea of need to the client's current position.
しています しています completes 必要としています, which means that the client needs or regards something as needed. The polite form presents this as the client's current situation. Use the same expression when describing what someone currently requires.
か か marks どの部分を最初に必要としていますか as a question. It turns the preceding polite statement into a request for information. Use it at the end of a polite question.
まず まず means first or to begin with in まず概要を必要としています. It emphasizes the first priority before the later charts. Use it before an action or item when explaining the order of priorities.
概要 概要 means summary or overview in まず概要を必要としています. It is the first project item the client needs. Use it when referring to a concise presentation of the main points.
詳しい 詳しい means detailed in 詳しい図表. It describes the charts as containing more specific information. Use it before a noun when distinguishing detailed material from a general overview.
図表 図表 means charts or figures in 詳しい図表は後でも大丈夫です. It refers to the visual data included in the project. Use it when discussing charts or other organized visual information.
後 後 means later or afterward in 後でも大丈夫です. It indicates that the charts do not need to be ready at the first deadline. Use it when placing an action or delivery after another point in time.
で で marks the time or circumstance in 後でも大丈夫です. Together with 後でも, it helps express that doing something later is acceptable. Here it supports a statement about a later delivery time.
も も adds the meaning of even or also in 後でも大丈夫です. It emphasizes that a later time is acceptable, not only the earlier time. A common reusable pattern is a time expression followed by でも大丈夫です.
大丈夫 大丈夫 means all right or acceptable in 後でも大丈夫です. It says that waiting until later will not cause a problem. Use it to reassure someone that a particular timing or arrangement is acceptable.
それ それ refers to the situation or information just mentioned. In それなら, it points back to the fact that the summary is needed first while the charts can wait. Use it to refer to something already established in the conversation.
なら なら means if that is the case in それなら. It introduces a suggestion based on the situation that was just described. Use it before a response or proposal that follows from the other person's information.
優先度 優先度 means priority level in 優先度の低い部分. It identifies how urgently one section should be handled compared with others. Use it when deciding which tasks or sections should come first.
低い 低い means low in 優先度の低い部分. It describes the sections as having a lower priority. Use it after the priority noun when identifying work that can be handled later.
について について means about or concerning in 優先度の低い部分について. In this expression, に marks the reference topic and ついて forms the meaning of concerning that topic. It is useful before a request or discussion about a particular subject.
短い 短い means short in 短い延長. It describes the requested extension as limited in length. Use it before a noun when specifying that an amount of time or distance is not long.
延長 延長 means an extension in 短い延長を頼みましょう. Here it refers to extra time for the lower-priority sections. Use it when asking for more time beyond an existing deadline or period.
頼みましょう 頼みましょう means let's ask or request in 延長を頼みましょう. It presents the request as a joint proposal to ask for an extension. The thing being requested appears before を, as in 延長を頼みましょう.
自分 自分 means oneself or one's own self in 自分の時間管理. In this dialogue, it refers to the speaker's own time management. Use it before の when relating something to oneself.
時間 時間 means time in 自分の時間管理. It is the time being managed, not the extra time requested from the client. Use it when discussing how available time is organized or used.
管理 管理 means management in 自分の時間管理. Together with 時間, it refers to managing one's time. Use it after a noun to describe the management or control of that area.
失敗 失敗 means failure in 失敗した. With した, it expresses that the speaker failed at managing time. Use it when describing an unsuccessful result or action.
した した is the completed form used in 失敗した, meaning failed or did fail. It shows that the failure is being viewed as a completed event. Here it appears inside the comparison 失敗したように聞こえる.
よう よう expresses likeness or an as-if impression in 失敗したように聞こえる. It presents the message as sounding as though the speaker failed. Use it before に when describing how something appears or sounds.
聞こえる 聞こえる means sound or be heard in 失敗したように聞こえる. The expression describes the impression created by the wording, not an actual failure. Use it when explaining how a statement or sound is perceived.
避けたい 避けたい means want to avoid in 失敗したように聞こえるのは避けたい. The speaker wants to avoid creating the impression of poor time management. Use it when expressing a wish not to cause or encounter an undesirable result.
品質 品質 means quality in 品質と、受け取った新しい情報を中心に. It is the positive reason around which the message should be framed. Use it when discussing the standard or quality of work or a product.
受け取った 受け取った means received in 受け取った新しい情報. It describes information that came to the speaker from another party. Use it before a noun when identifying information or material that someone has received.
新しい 新しい means new in 新しい情報. It describes the information as recently obtained or not previously available. Use it before a noun when distinguishing recent information from earlier information.
情報 情報 means information in 受け取った新しい情報. It refers to the new facts or details received from outside the project. Use it when explaining what led to a decision or change.
中心 中心 means center or focus in 中心に伝えてください. Together with に, it means to communicate with quality and the new information as the main focus. Use it when identifying the main point around which an explanation or plan is organized.
伝えて 伝えて means convey or communicate in 伝えてください. It asks the listener to communicate the relevant reasons to the client. The information to be conveyed appears before を, as in the surrounding request.
ください ください makes 伝えてください a polite request meaning please communicate it. It follows the te-form 伝えて to ask someone to do the action. Use it after a te-form when making a polite request.
その その means that or the stated one in その翌日. It refers back to the previously mentioned day, tomorrow. Use it before a noun when identifying something already established in the conversation.
翌日 翌日 means the following day in その翌日に提出すると言えます. Here it identifies the day after tomorrow as the planned delivery day for the charts. Use it when referring to the day following a specific day already mentioned.
提出 提出 means submission or delivery in 提出すると言えます. It refers to handing in the summary and charts to the client. Use it before する when describing the act of submitting work or documents.
する する means do or carry out in 提出する. Together with 提出, it forms the expression for submitting the work. Use it after a noun such as 提出 when describing an action carried out with that noun.
言えます 言えます means can say in 提出すると言えます. It expresses that the speaker can state the proposed delivery plan. The statement being reported comes before と, as in 提出すると言えます.
相手 相手 means the other party in 相手に...示せます. Here it refers to the client, the person receiving the proposed timeline and choice. Use it when referring generally to the person or group on the other side of an interaction.
現実的 現実的 means realistic in 現実的な予定. It describes a schedule that can reasonably be followed. Use it before な and a noun when describing a practical plan or expectation.
な な links 現実的 to 予定 in 現実的な予定. It allows this descriptive form to modify the following noun. Here it shows that 予定 is being described as realistic.
予定 予定 means plan or schedule in 現実的な予定. It refers to the proposed timing for delivering the summary and charts. Use it when discussing an arrangement or planned timetable.
明確 明確 means clear in 明確な選択肢 and 変更が明確. It describes information or options that are easy to understand and not ambiguous. Use it before な with a noun or after が when describing something as clear.
選択肢 選択肢 means choice or option in 明確な選択肢. It refers to the alternatives the client can clearly consider. Use it when presenting different possible plans or decisions.
示せます 示せます means can show or present in 相手に...示せます. It expresses the ability to present the realistic schedule and clear choice to the other party. A common pattern places the recipient before に and the thing presented before を.
返事 返事 means reply or response in 返事をする時間. It refers to the client's response to the message. Use it with する when talking about giving or making a reply.
持てる 持てる means can have or have available in 返事をする時間を持てるように. Here it refers to the client having enough time to respond. Use it when saying that someone can have or keep a particular amount of time or opportunity.
すぐ すぐ means soon or immediately in すぐにメッセージを送ります. It shows that the message will be sent without much delay. Use it before に when emphasizing that an action will happen promptly.
メッセージ メッセージ means message in メッセージを送ります. It is the communication the speaker plans to send to the client. Use it when referring to a written or electronic message.
送ります 送ります means will send in メッセージを送ります. The polite non-past form describes the speaker's planned future action. Use it after the object when stating that a message or item will be sent.
そう そう means so or that way in そうすれば. It refers back to sending the message soon. Together with すれば, it introduces the result of acting in that way.
すれば すれば supplies the if or when condition in そうすれば. It says that the result will follow if the previously described action is done. Here it works together with そう to mean if they do that.
なる なる means become in 明日になる前に. It describes the point at which the current day changes into tomorrow. Use it when referring to a change into a new time, state, or condition.
前 前 means before in 明日になる前に. It places the schedule clarification before tomorrow arrives. Use it after a clause followed by に when specifying that an action happens before another event.
スケジュール スケジュール means schedule in スケジュールの変更. It refers to the planned timing for delivering the project work. Use it when discussing an organized timetable or sequence of activities.
変更 変更 means change in スケジュールの変更. It identifies the adjustment to the original schedule. Use it after a noun with の when specifying what has been changed.
なります なります means becomes or will become in 変更が明確になります. Together with 明確, it says that the schedule change will become clear. The polite non-past form presents this as the expected result before tomorrow.

Grammar Points

〜すると

概要を提出すると、翌日に返事を受け取れます。

guy-YOH oh tay-SHOOT-soo soo-ROO toh, yoh-koo-jee-tsoo nee hen-JEE oh oo-keh-TOH-reh-mahss.

If you submit the summary, you can receive a reply the following day.

〜すると expresses a condition or predictable result: when/if one action happens, another result follows.

〜てください

情報を中心に伝えてください。

joh-HOH oh CHOO-shin nee tsoo-TAH-eh-teh koo-DAH-sai.

Please communicate mainly the information.

〜てください is a polite way to make a request. Attach it to the て-form of a verb.

Japanese Vocabulary

クライアント noun
koo-rye-AHN-toh client

クライアントはどの部分を最初に必要としていますか。

延長 noun
en-CHOH extension

短い延長を頼みましょう。

概要 noun
guy-YOH summary; outline

クライアントはまず概要を必要としています。

後でも大丈夫 phrase
ah-TOH deh-moh die-JOH-boo it is okay to do it later; it can wait

詳しい図表は後でも大丈夫です。

広がる verb
hee-roh-GAH-roo to expand; to broaden 広がりました

プロジェクトの範囲が広がりました。

詳しい adj
koo-wah-SHEE detailed

詳しい図表は後でも大丈夫です。

図表 noun
zhoo-HYOH charts; figures

詳しい図表は後でも大丈夫です。

締め切り noun
shee-meh-KEE-ree deadline

締め切りは明日です。

範囲 noun
hahn-EE scope; range

プロジェクトの範囲が広がりました。

部分 noun
boo-BOON part; section

どの部分を最初に必要としていますか。

明日 noun
ah-SHEE-tah tomorrow

締め切りは明日です。

優先度 noun
yoo-SEN-doh priority level

優先度の低い部分について短い延長を頼みましょう。

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

deadline

Show Answer締め切り

to expand; to broaden

Show Answer広がりました

client

Show Answerクライアント

it is okay to do it later; it can wait

Show Answer後でも大丈夫