About This Lesson
Use Clarifying Flexible Break Expectations at Work to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
このチームの休憩の取り方がよく分かりません。
koh-NOH CHEEM-noh kyoo-KAY-noh toh-ree-KAH-tah gah yoh-KOO wah-kah-ree-MAHS. I'm not sure how this team handles breaks.
B
ルールは柔軟ですが、サービス対応の時間帯は対応できる人が必要です。
ROO-roo wah joo-NAHN deh-SOO gah, SAH-bee-soo tie-OH-noh jee-KAHN-tie wah tie-OH deh-KEE-roo HEE-toh gah hee-TSYOO deh-SOO. The policy is flexible, but coverage still matters during service hours.
A
では、誰かが対応できるなら、必要なときに席を外してもいいのですね。
deh-WAH, dah-REH-kah gah tie-OH deh-KEE-roo nah-RAH, hee-TSYOO nah TOH-kee nee SEH-kee oh hah-zoo-SHEE-teh moh EE noh deh-SOO neh. So I can step away when needed, as long as someone is available.
B
しばらくいなくなるときは、みんなに知らせてください。
shee-bah-RAH-koo ee-NAH-koo nah-ROO TOH-kee wah, MEEN-nah nee shee-RAH-seh-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Just let people know if you'll be gone for a while.
A
それなら納得できます。急にいなくなったように見えるのではないかと心配していました。
soh-REH nah-RAH nah-TOK-koo deh-KEE-mahs. KYOH-oh nee ee-NAH-koo nah-TAH yoo-nee mee-EH-roo noh deh-WAH nah-ee kah toh sheen-PIE shee-TEH ee-MAH-shee-tah. That seems fair. I was worried it might look like I was disappearing.
B
チームチャットに簡単なメッセージを送れば、それを防げるはずです。
CHEEM chat-toh nee kahn-TAHN nah meh-SEE-jee oh oh-koo-REH-bah, soh-REH oh foo-SAH-geh-roo hah-zoo deh-SOO. A quick note in the team chat should prevent that.
A
忙しい時間帯は、共有スケジュールを作りませんか。
ee-soh-gah-SHEE jee-KAHN-tie wah, kyoo-YOO soo-KEH-joo-roo oh tsoo-ree-mah-SEN kah. Should we create a shared schedule during busy periods?
B
何人かが同じ時間に昼食を取りたいときに、役立つかもしれません。
NAHN-neen-kah gah oh-NAH-jee jee-KAHN nee CHOO-shoh-koo oh toh-ree-TAI toh-KEE nee yah-koo-DAHT-soo kah-moh-shee-reh-MAHS. That could help when several people want lunch at the same time.
A
次のチームミーティングで提案します。
TSEE-gee noh CHEEM MEE-ting-goo deh TAY-ahn shee-MAHS. I'll suggest it at the next team check-in.
B
そうすれば、みんなが何を期待すればよいか分かります。
soh-oh soo-REH-bah, MEEN-nah gah NAHN-ee oh kee-TAI soo-REH-bah yoh-ee kah wah-kah-ree-MAHS. Then everyone will know what to expect.Word by Word
この
「この」means “this” and points to the team currently being discussed in 「このチーム」. It comes before a noun to identify something near the speaker’s current context. Use it when referring to a specific nearby person, group, or thing.
チーム
「チーム」means “team,” the group whose break practices are being discussed. Here it is linked with 「この」 and 「の」 in 「このチームの休憩の取り方」. Use it for a group working together toward a shared task.
の
In 「このチームの休憩の取り方」, 「の」links one noun with the following noun and shows their relationship. The first 「の」connects the team with its break-taking method, while the second connects 休憩 with 取り方. A common reusable pattern is noun の noun.
休憩
「休憩」means “break,” here referring to a break from work. It appears in 「休憩の取り方」, the team’s way of taking breaks. A new example is 「休憩を取る」when talking about taking a break.
取り方
「取り方」means “way of taking” or “method,” and here it describes how breaks are taken in 「休憩の取り方」. It focuses on the method or procedure rather than one particular break. This form is useful when discussing how an action is carried out.
が
In 「休憩の取り方がよく分かりません」, 「が」marks the thing that is not understood. It places the team’s break-taking method before 「分かりません」. A reusable pattern is noun が 分かりません when saying that something is unclear.
よく
「よく」means “well” or “clearly” here, not “often.” In 「よく分かりません」, it strengthens the idea that the speaker does not understand something clearly. Use this expression when politely saying that an explanation or rule is unclear.
分かりません
「分かりません」means “do not understand” or “do not know” in polite language. In this dialogue, it says that the speaker is unclear about the team’s break policy. A reusable pattern is a topic followed by が分かりません.
ルール
「ルール」means “rule” or “policy,” referring to the workplace expectations for breaks. It is the topic in 「ルールは柔軟ですが」. Use it when discussing an established rule in a workplace or other organized setting.
は
In 「ルールは柔軟ですが」, 「は」marks ルール as the topic. The sentence first describes the rule and then contrasts it with the need for coverage. A reusable pattern is noun は followed by information about that topic.
柔軟
「柔軟」means “flexible” here, describing a policy that is not completely rigid. It appears in 「柔軟ですが」 before the contrast with service coverage. Use it when rules, plans, or arrangements can adapt to circumstances.
です
「です」makes the statement in 「柔軟ですが」polite. It completes the polite description before 「が」introduces a contrast. A common reuse pattern is a description followed by です in polite speech.
サービス
「サービス」means “service,” referring here to the service provided during working hours. It forms the workplace expression 「サービス対応」. Use it when discussing customer service or another service responsibility.
対応
「対応」means handling or responding to a service need. In 「サービス対応の時間帯」, it identifies the periods when service response is required. It is useful for describing staff responsibility toward customers or users.
時間帯
「時間帯」means a time period or set of hours. In 「サービス対応の時間帯」, it refers to the hours when service coverage matters. A reusable pattern is noun の時間帯 for the time period associated with an activity.
できる
「できる」means “can” or “be able to.” In 「対応できる人」, it identifies a person who is able to handle the service response. Use it before a noun when describing someone or something capable of an action.
人
「人」means “person.” In 「対応できる人が必要です」, it refers to a staff member who can provide coverage. Use it when talking about an individual without specifying who that person is.
必要
「必要」means “necessary” or “needed.” In 「人が必要です」, it says that an available person is required for coverage. A reusable pattern is noun が必要です when explaining what is needed.
では
「では」means “well then” or “in that case” in this dialogue and moves from the previous explanation to a conclusion. It combines 「で」and 「は」as a transition that frames the situation. Use it at the start of a response when drawing a conclusion from what someone has just said.
誰か
「誰か」means “someone,” without identifying the particular person. In 「誰かが対応できるなら」, it refers to any person who can provide coverage. Use it when the identity of the person is unknown or unimportant.
なら
「なら」introduces a condition in 「誰かが対応できるなら」: if someone is available to respond, the speaker can step away. It connects the condition to the conclusion that follows. Use it after a situation when stating what applies under that condition.
とき
「とき」means “time” or “when.” In 「必要なときに」, it refers to the time when something is needed. A reusable pattern is a phrase describing a situation followed by とき.
に
In 「必要なときに」, 「に」marks the time when the action takes place. It connects the time expression with the action of leaving the desk. Use it after a time expression when indicating when something happens.
席
「席」means “seat” or a person’s desk position. In 「席を外して」, it refers to the speaker’s work position rather than simply a chair. This expression is useful when politely talking about being away from one’s desk.
を
In 「席を外して」, 「を」marks 席 as the object of 外す. It shows what is being left or vacated. A reusable pattern is noun を followed by an action verb.
外して
「外して」means “step away” or “leave,” here referring to leaving one’s desk in 「席を外してもいい」. Together with 「もいい」, it forms a permission expression meaning that stepping away is acceptable. A reusable pattern is an action followed by てもいい when asking or stating permission.
も
In 「外してもいい」, 「も」is part of the construction that asks whether an action is acceptable. It does not independently mean “also” here; the full expression gives the permission meaning. Reuse the pattern actionて + もいい when checking whether something is allowed.
いい
In 「外してもいい」, 「いい」means “okay” or “acceptable.” With 「も」, the full expression says that leaving the desk is permitted. Use this construction when requesting or confirming permission in a practical situation.
ね
「ね」at the end of 「外してもいいのですね」seeks confirmation or agreement. The speaker is checking that their understanding of the rule is correct. Use it when confirming shared information in a friendly, non-confrontational way.
しばらく
「しばらく」means “for a while.” In 「しばらくいなくなる」, it describes an absence that lasts for some period of time. Use it when the exact length of a temporary absence is not specified.
いなくなる
「いなくなる」means “become absent” or “be gone.” In 「しばらくいなくなるとき」, it describes someone leaving and no longer being present for a while. Use it when talking about a person becoming absent from a place.
みんな
「みんな」means “everyone” or “everybody.” In 「みんなに知らせてください」, it refers to all the people on the team who should be informed. Use it when addressing or referring to the whole group.
知らせて
「知らせて」means “let someone know” or “inform.” In 「みんなに知らせてください」, it is followed by 「ください」to make a polite request. A reusable pattern is person に知らせてください when asking someone to inform a person or group.
ください
「ください」means “please” after the action form in 「知らせてください」. The full expression is a polite request to let everyone know. Use the pattern actionてください when giving a polite instruction or request.
それ
「それ」means “that” or “that situation.” In 「それなら納得できます」, it refers to the explanation just given about notifying the team before being away. Use it to point back to information already mentioned.
納得
「納得」means acceptance or being convinced. In 「納得できます」, the speaker says that the explanation is acceptable and makes sense. It is useful when responding positively after someone has clarified a rule or reason.
できます
In 「納得できます」, 「できます」expresses that the speaker can accept or be convinced by the explanation. Together with 納得, it describes reaching an acceptable understanding rather than physical ability. Use it when saying that an explanation or arrangement is acceptable to you.
急に
「急に」means “suddenly.” In 「急にいなくなった」, it describes the absence as happening without an expected transition. Use it when an action or change occurs unexpectedly or quickly.
いなくなった
「いなくなった」means “became absent” or “disappeared,” viewed as a completed change. In 「急にいなくなったように見える」, the speaker worries that others may see the absence as sudden. Use it when describing someone no longer being present.
よう
In 「いなくなったように見える」, 「よう」expresses appearance or seeming. The whole expression means that something looks as if the person has become absent. A reusable pattern is a clause followed by ように見える when describing how a situation appears.
見える
「見える」means “look” or “appear” in 「ように見える」. It describes how the situation may be perceived by other people, not necessarily what actually happened. Use it with an appearance expression when discussing how something seems.
で
The 「で」in 「のではないか」is part of an expression for an uncertain possibility or concern. Together with 「は」and 「ないか」, it frames the thought that something might be the case. Use this expression when considering or worrying about a possible interpretation.
ない
The 「ない」in 「のではないか」is part of the negative possibility expression, rather than a separate simple “not” statement. The full phrase presents a possibility the speaker is concerned about. It is useful when expressing uncertainty about how something may appear.
か
The 「か」in 「のではないか」marks the thought as uncertain or question-like. It helps form the possibility that the speaker might look as though they disappeared. Use it in embedded questions or expressions of uncertainty.
と
In 「のではないかと心配していました」, 「と」marks the preceding thought as the content of the worry. It links the possibility to 「心配していました」. A reusable pattern is a thought or possibility followed by と and a verb such as “worry” or “think.”
心配
「心配」means “worry” or “concern.” In 「心配していました」, the speaker describes having been concerned about how the absence might look. It is useful when discussing an uneasy feeling about a possible problem or impression.
して
In 「心配していました」, 「して」links 心配 with 「いました」. Together, the expression describes a concern that continued or was held in the past. Use this form when connecting an action or state with a following auxiliary expression.
いました
「いました」completes 「心配していました」and places the concern in the past. It presents the speaker as having been worried before the current clarification. A reusable pattern is actionていました for something that was ongoing or held in the past.
チャット
「チャット」means “chat,” referring to the team’s written communication channel. It appears in 「チームチャット」, where a short message can notify colleagues. Use it when discussing online group communication.
簡単
「簡単」means “simple” or “brief” here, describing a short message in 「簡単なメッセージ」. The context emphasizes that only a quick note is needed. Use it before 「な」when describing something as simple or uncomplicated.
な
In 「簡単なメッセージ」, 「な」links 簡単 with the following noun. It allows the description “simple” or “brief” to modify メッセージ. A reusable pattern is a descriptive word followed by な before a noun.
メッセージ
「メッセージ」means “message.” In 「簡単なメッセージを送れば」, it is the short note sent in the team chat. Use it when referring to a written communication sent to another person or group.
送れば
「送れば」means “if someone sends” in 「メッセージを送れば」. It introduces the condition that sending a message will help prevent the misunderstanding. A reusable pattern is object を送れば followed by the expected result.
防げる
「防げる」means “can prevent.” In 「それを防げるはずです」, it says that a quick message should be able to prevent the unwanted impression. Use it when describing the ability of an action or measure to stop a problem.
はず
In 「防げるはずです」, 「はず」expresses an expectation that something should happen based on the situation. It makes the statement a reasoned expectation rather than an absolute guarantee. A reusable pattern is a prediction followed by はずです.
共有
「共有」means “shared” or “sharing.” In 「共有スケジュール」, it describes a schedule available to the team rather than kept by only one person. Use it before a noun when emphasizing joint access or use.
スケジュール
「スケジュール」means “schedule.” In 「共有スケジュールを作りませんか」, it refers to an organized plan for coordinating breaks. Use it when discussing planned times for activities or responsibilities.
作りません
In the question 「作りませんか」, 「作りません」is used to make a polite suggestion: “shall we make” or “would you like to create.” It is not functioning as a simple refusal here. A reusable pattern is object を作りませんか when proposing something together.
何人
In 「何人かが」, 「何人」refers to an unspecified number of people, understood here as “several people.” The following 「か」makes the number indefinite rather than asking a direct question. Use it when referring to some people without stating the exact number.
同じ
「同じ」means “same.” In 「同じ時間に」, it says that the people want lunch at one shared time. Use it directly before a noun when two or more things match.
時間
「時間」means “time.” In 「同じ時間に」, it refers to the lunch time shared by several people. Use it with 「に」when indicating the time at which an activity takes place.
昼食
「昼食」means “lunch.” In 「昼食を取りたい」, it is the meal that several people want to have at the same time. Use it when discussing a midday meal in a work or daily schedule.
取りたい
「取りたい」means “want to take” or “want to have.” Here, 「昼食を取りたい」means wanting to have lunch, using the verb 取る with the expression of desire. Use it after a noun marked by を when saying that someone wants to take or have something.
役立つ
「役立つ」means “be useful” or “help.” In 「役立つかもしれません」, the proposed shared schedule may be useful when several people want lunch simultaneously. Use it to describe something that contributes practical help in a situation.
かもしれません
「かもしれません」means “might” or “may,” expressing possibility rather than certainty. In this form, 「かも」introduces the possibility and 「しれません」completes the polite expression. A reusable pattern is an action or description followed by かもしれません.
次
「次」means “next.” In 「次のチームミーティング」, it identifies the upcoming team meeting. A reusable pattern is 次の + noun when referring to the next event or item.
ミーティング
「ミーティング」means “meeting.” In 「チームミーティング」, it refers to a scheduled discussion with the team. Use it when talking about a work meeting or check-in.
提案します
「提案します」means “will suggest” or “will propose” in polite speech. In this dialogue, the speaker says they will present the shared schedule idea at the next meeting. A reusable pattern is an idea or plan marked by を followed by 提案します.
そう
「そう」means “that way” or “so.” In 「そうすれば」, it refers back to creating and using the shared schedule. Use it when stating the consequence of carrying out the action just mentioned.
すれば
「すれば」means “if one does” in 「そうすれば」. Together, 「そうすれば」introduces the result expected from following the proposed plan. A reusable pattern is そうすれば followed by the consequence.
何
「何」means “what.” In 「何を期待すればよいか」, it asks which expectations people should have. Use it before 「を」when asking about the object of an action.
期待すれば
「期待すれば」is the conditional part of 「何を期待すればよいか」, which means “what one should expect.” Together with 「よい」and 「か」, it forms an embedded question about the appropriate expectation. This pattern is useful when asking what someone should do, expect, or choose.
よい
In 「期待すればよいか」, 「よい」means “good” or “appropriate” and helps express what should be done or expected. The full pattern 「〜すればよい」asks what is the appropriate action. Use it when seeking guidance about the best course of action.
分かります
「分かります」means “will know” or “will understand” in polite speech. In 「何を期待すればよいか分かります」, it says that everyone will understand what to expect. A reusable pattern is an embedded question followed by 分かります when something becomes clear.
Grammar Points
動詞ます形＋方
休憩の取り方を提案する。
kyoo-KAY noh toh-ree-KAH-tah oh TAY-ahn soo-ROO.Suggest how to take breaks.
方 attaches to the verb stem to mean “how to do something” or “the way of doing something.”
～ときに
必要なときに対応できる。
hee-TSYOO nah TOH-kee nee tie-OH deh-KEE-roo.We can respond when needed.
とき means “when.” The particle に marks the time when an action or situation occurs.
Japanese Vocabulary
いなくなる
verb
ee-NAH-koo nah-ROO
to be gone
しばらくいなくなるときは、みんなに知らせてください。
サービス対応
noun
SAH-bee-soo tie-OH
service coverage
ルールは柔軟ですが、サービス対応の時間帯は対応できる人が必要です。
しばらく
adv
shee-bah-RAH-koo
for a while
しばらくいなくなるときは、みんなに知らせてください。
休憩の取り方
phrase
kyoo-KAY noh toh-ree-KAH-tah
how to take breaks
このチームの休憩の取り方がよく分かりません。
時間帯
noun
jee-KAHN-tie
time period
サービス対応の時間帯は対応できる人が必要です。
柔軟
adj
joo-NAHN
flexible
ルールは柔軟ですが、サービス対応の時間帯は対応できる人が必要です。
心配する
verb
sheen-PIE soo-ROO
to worry
急にいなくなったように見えるのではないかと心配していました。
席を外す
verb
SEH-kee oh hah-zoo-SOO
to step away from one's desk
必要なときに席を外してもいいのですね。
対応できる
verb
tie-OH deh-KEE-roo
to be available to respond
誰かが対応できるなら、必要なときに席を外してもいいのですね。
知らせる
verb
shee-RAH-seh-roo
to let someone know
しばらくいなくなるときは、みんなに知らせてください。
納得できます
verb
naht-TOH-koo deh-KEE-mahs
can accept; seems fair
それなら納得できます。
必要なとき
phrase
hee-TSYOO nah TOH-kee
when needed
必要なときに席を外してもいいのですね。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
how to take breaks
Show Answer
休憩の取り方to be gone
Show Answer
いなくなるfor a while
Show Answer
しばらくto step away from one's desk