About This Lesson
Use Choosing the Task with the Highest Impact to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
仕事が四つありますが、どれも重要に感じます。
shee-GOH-toh gah YOT-tsu ah-ree-MAHS gah, DOH-reh-moh JOO-yoh nah kahn-jee-MAHS. I have four tasks, and they all feel important.
B
順番を決める前に、緊急性と影響を分けて考えましょう。
JOON-bahn oh kee-MEH-roo mah-eh nee, keen-KYOO-say toh ay-KYOH oh wah-keh-teh kahn-gah-eh-mah-SHOH. Separate urgency from impact before you choose the order.
A
メールは緊急ですが、その報告書は明日の顧客との会議に影響します。
MAY-roo wah keen-KYOO dess gah, SOH-noh HOH-koh-koo-shoh wah ah-SHEE-tah noh koh-KYAH-koo toh noh KAI-gee nee ay-KYOH-shee-MAHS. The email is urgent, but the report affects tomorrow's client meeting.
B
特に他の人の仕事がそれにかかっているなら、報告書のほうが影響は大きいです。
toh-KOO-nee HOH-kah noh HEE-toh noh shee-GOH-toh gah SOH-reh nee kah-KAHT-teh ee-roo nah-rah, HOH-koh-koo-shoh noh HOH gah ay-KYOH wah OH-kee dess. The report has higher impact, especially if others depend on it.
A
デザインレビューも、別のチームメートの仕事を止めています。
deh-ZAIN reh-BYOO moh, BEH-tsu noh CHEE-moo MAY-toh noh shee-GOH-toh oh toh-meh-TEH-ee-MAHS. The design review also blocks another teammate.
B
それなら、すぐに終わるなら、チームメートの仕事を止めているレビューを最初に済ませましょう。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, soo-GOO nee oh-wah-ROO nah-rah, CHEE-moo MAY-toh noh shee-GOH-toh oh toh-meh-teh ee-roo reh-BYOO oh SAI-shoh nee soo-mah-SEH-mah-SHOH. Then handle the review that is blocking your teammate first if it will be quick.
A
その後なら、誰の仕事も邪魔せずに報告書に集中できます。
SOH-noh AH-toh nah-rah, DAH-reh noh shee-GOH-toh moh JAH-mah seh-ZOO nee HOH-koh-koo-shoh nee SHOO-choo deh-kee-MAHS. After that, I can focus on the report without interrupting anyone.
B
他の仕事との依存関係によって、どの仕事を先にすべきかが変わることがあります。
HOH-kah noh shee-GOH-toh toh noh ee-ZOHN kahn-KAY nee YOHT-teh, DOH-noh shee-GOH-toh oh SAH-kee nee soo-BEH-kee kah gah kah-WAH-roo koh-toh gah ah-ree-MAHS. Dependencies can change which task should come first.
A
緊急のメールは、報告書の下書きが終わった後まで待てます。
keen-KYOO noh MAY-roo wah, HOH-koh-koo-shoh noh shee-tah-GAH-kee gah oh-WAHT-tah AH-toh mah-deh mah-teh-MAHS. The urgent email can wait until after the report draft.
B
優先順位をつけるとは、プレッシャーだけでなく、その結果を考えることです。
YOO-sen joon-EE oh tsoo-KEH-roo toh wah, poo-RESH-shah dah-keh deh nah-koo, SOH-noh KEK-kah oh kahn-gah-EH-roo koh-toh dess. Prioritizing is about consequences, not just pressure.Word by Word
仕事
In 仕事が四つありますが, 仕事 means work or a task. A reusable pattern is 仕事がある, used when saying that work or tasks exist or are available. Use it when discussing your workload with a colleague.
が
In 仕事が四つありますが, が marks 仕事 as what exists; the later が after あります connects the statement to the next clause with a mild contrast. Use が after the subject of an existence statement or to connect contrasting information. It is useful when describing a situation and then adding a qualification.
あります
In 仕事が四つありますが, あります is the polite form of ある and says that four tasks exist, which English expresses as “I have four tasks.” A reusable pattern is nounがある or nounがあります for things or work that exist. Use it when reporting available tasks or resources.
どれ
In どれも重要に感じます, どれ refers to which one among several tasks. With も, it contributes to the meaning “every one of them,” rather than selecting only one. Use どれ when choosing one item from a known group.
も
In どれも重要に感じます, も adds the meaning “also” or “every one,” so all the tasks feel important. A reusable pattern is どれも plus a statement when every item in a group has the same property. Use it when giving a general assessment of several options.
重要
In どれも重要に感じます, 重要 describes the tasks as important. With に, it forms the state in which the tasks are felt to be important. Use 重要 when discussing the significance of a task, issue, or decision at work.
に
In 重要に感じます, に changes 重要 into the state or manner in which something is felt. A reusable pattern is somethingを adjectiveに感じる when describing how something feels to you. Use it when giving a personal evaluation of a task or situation.
感じます
In 重要に感じます, 感じます is the polite form of 感じる and means “feel” or “experience as.” A reusable pattern is somethingを adjectiveに感じる for expressing a personal impression. Use it when explaining how a task or situation seems to you.
順番
In 順番を決める前に, 順番 means the order or sequence in which tasks are handled. A reusable pattern is 順番を決める, used when deciding what comes first, next, and later. Use it when organizing work or activities.
を
In 順番を決める, を marks 順番 as the object of 決める. A reusable pattern is nounを verb for the thing directly acted on. Use it when describing an action taken on a task, plan, or order.
決める
In 順番を決める前に, 決める means to decide or determine, and it is already in its plain form. A reusable pattern is nounを決める for deciding a schedule, order, or plan. Use it before organizing work or making a choice.
前
In 決める前に, 前 means “before” and places the decision earlier than the following action. The reusable pattern verb in plain form + 前に means “before doing something.” Use it when giving instructions about what must happen first.
緊急性
In 緊急性と影響を分けて考えましょう, 緊急性 means the degree or quality of being urgent. The noun pattern 緊急性と影響を分けて考える is useful when evaluating work by separate criteria. Use it in planning discussions about deadlines and urgency.
と
In 緊急性と影響, と connects two items as “and.” A reusable pattern is nounとnoun when listing two things considered together. Use it when comparing or separating two criteria, such as urgency and impact.
影響
In 緊急性と影響を分けて考えましょう, 影響 means impact or influence as something to evaluate. A reusable pattern is 影響を考える or 影響を受ける, depending on whether you consider or receive an effect. Use it when judging how one task affects later work.
分けて
In 緊急性と影響を分けて考えましょう, 分けて is the te-form of 分ける and means to separate the two criteria before considering them. A reusable pattern is AとBを分けて考える, used when analyzing two aspects independently. Use it when a decision should not rely on one combined impression.
考えましょう
In 分けて考えましょう, 考えましょう is the polite volitional form of 考える and invites the listener to consider something together. A reusable pattern is nounについて考えましょう or nounを考えましょう when proposing joint consideration. Use it in a cooperative work discussion.
メール
In メールは緊急ですが, メール means an email, here the email being evaluated as a task. A reusable pattern is メールを確認する or メールを送る for common email actions. Use it when discussing communication work in an office.
は
In メールは緊急ですが, は marks メール as the topic and sets it up for comparison with the report. A reusable pattern is nounは adjectiveです when describing a topic, especially before contrasting information. Use it when presenting one task’s status before discussing another.
緊急
In メールは緊急です, 緊急 describes the email as urgent. A reusable pattern is nounは緊急です when identifying work that requires prompt attention. Use it when explaining why a message or task seems time-sensitive.
です
In メールは緊急です, です is the polite ending that presents 緊急 as a statement about the email. A reusable pattern is nounは adjectiveです for a polite description. Use it in professional conversations when stating a task’s condition.
その
In その報告書, その points to the report under discussion and can be understood as “that” or “the mentioned.” A reusable pattern is その + noun when referring to an identified item. Use it when the listener already knows which document or task you mean.
報告書
In その報告書, 報告書 means a report or written document. A reusable pattern is 報告書を作る or 報告書を確認する when discussing report-related work. Use it in a workplace conversation about documents needed for a meeting.
明日
In 明日の顧客との会議, 明日 means tomorrow and identifies when the meeting will happen. A reusable pattern is 明日の + noun for something scheduled or relevant for tomorrow. Use it when prioritizing work connected to the next day’s plans.
の
In 明日の顧客との会議, の links 明日 to the meeting and makes the phrase mean “tomorrow’s meeting.” A reusable pattern is nounのnoun for an attributive relationship such as time, owner, or category. Use it when specifying which meeting or document you mean.
顧客
In 顧客との会議, 顧客 means a client or customer. The pattern 顧客との会議 identifies a meeting held with or concerning a client. Use it in professional settings when discussing external business relationships.
会議
In 顧客との会議, 会議 means a meeting. A reusable pattern is 会議に参加する or 会議を準備する for common meeting-related actions. Use it when deciding which work must be completed before a scheduled meeting.
影響します
In 会議に影響します, 影響します is the polite form of 影響する and means “affects” or “has an impact on.” The reusable pattern nounに影響する identifies what is affected. Use it when explaining how one task may change the outcome of a meeting or project.
特に
In 特に他の人の仕事がそれにかかっているなら, 特に means “especially” and highlights an important condition. A reusable pattern is 特に + emphasized point when narrowing attention to one factor. Use it when explaining why a dependency makes a task more important.
他
In 他の人, 他 means “other” and distinguishes these people from the speaker or the person already being discussed. A reusable pattern is 他の + noun for another category or group. Use it when referring to work belonging to people beyond the immediate speaker.
人
In 他の人の仕事, 人 means a person or people, with the exact number left unspecified here. The pattern 他の人の仕事 means work belonging to other people. Use it when explaining how one task affects colleagues.
それ
In それにかかっている, それ refers back to the report as the thing on which other people’s work depends. A reusable pattern is それに + verb when referring to an already identified item. Use it when avoiding repetition after a document or task has been mentioned.
かかって
In それにかかっている, かかって is the te-form of かかる and contributes the meaning “depend on” in the expression 仕事がそれにかかっている. A reusable pattern is work or an outcomeが somethingにかかっている when the result hinges on something. Use it when describing a dependency between tasks.
なら
In それにかかっているなら, なら means “if that is the case” and introduces the condition that other work depends on the report. A reusable pattern is plain statement + なら for responding to or evaluating a stated condition. Use it when making a recommendation based on information just mentioned.
ほう
In 報告書のほうが影響は大きいです, ほう identifies the report as the comparatively greater option. A reusable pattern is Aのほうが adjective when comparing two choices. Use it when explaining which task has the stronger impact.
大きい
In 影響は大きいです, 大きい means large or greater in degree, so it describes the report’s impact as higher. A reusable pattern is 影響が大きい when a task has substantial consequences. Use it when comparing the effects of different tasks.
デザインレビュー
In デザインレビューも, デザインレビュー means a design review, the work item that is also blocking a teammate. A reusable pattern is デザインレビューを行う or デザインレビューを終える for discussing this type of task. Use it in a project conversation about checking a design.
別
In 別のチームメート, 別 means different or another and distinguishes this teammate from the speaker’s other colleagues. A reusable pattern is 別の + noun when referring to another person, item, or option. Use it when identifying a separate dependency.
チームメート
In 別のチームメート, チームメート means teammate or a colleague on the same team. A reusable pattern is チームメートの仕事 for work belonging to a teammate. Use it when discussing how your task affects someone working with you.
止めて
In 仕事を止めています and 仕事を止めているレビュー, 止めて is the te-form of 止める and means stopping or blocking the work. It links to います or いる to describe an ongoing blockage. Use it when one task prevents another person from continuing.
います
In 止めています, います is the polite form of いる used after the te-form to show that the stopping is continuing. A reusable pattern is verb-te + います for an ongoing action or state. Use it when politely describing a problem that is still affecting work.
すぐ
In すぐに終わるなら, すぐ means soon or immediately and indicates that the review can be completed in a short time. A reusable pattern is すぐに + verb for an action done without much delay. Use it when estimating whether a task can be handled quickly.
終わる
In すぐに終わるなら, 終わる means to finish or come to an end and is already in its plain form. A reusable pattern is taskが終わる when saying that a task is completed. Use it when deciding whether a short task should be done first.
いる
In 止めているレビュー, いる is the plain form used after the te-form to show that the review is currently blocking the teammate’s work. A reusable pattern is verb-te + いる for an ongoing action or state. Use it in a less formal description of an active work problem.
レビュー
In レビューを最初に済ませましょう, レビュー means the review task, referring here to the design review. A reusable pattern is レビューをする or レビューを済ませる for handling a review. Use it when deciding which checking task to complete first.
最初
In 最初に済ませましょう, 最初 means first or at the beginning and marks the review as the first task to handle. A reusable pattern is 最初に + action when giving an order of actions. Use it when setting the first step in a work plan.
済ませましょう
In レビューを最初に済ませましょう, 済ませましょう is the polite volitional form of 済ませる and invites the listener to finish or take care of the review. A reusable pattern is taskを済ませる for completing a task efficiently. Use it when proposing that a manageable item be dealt with promptly.
後
In その後なら and 終わった後まで, 後 means the time after something or a later point. A reusable pattern is nounの後 or verb-ta + 後 for referring to what happens afterward. Use it when ordering tasks in a sequence.
誰
In 誰の仕事も邪魔せずに, 誰 refers to any person in the phrase “anyone’s work.” With の and も inside the negative expression, it broadens the meaning to not interrupting anyone’s work. Use it when emphasizing that no colleague will be disturbed.
邪魔
In 誰の仕事も邪魔せずに, 邪魔 contributes the idea of interference or disturbance in 邪魔する, meaning to interrupt or get in the way. A reusable pattern is someoneの邪魔をする for disturbing another person. Use it when describing work that should continue without interruption.
せずに
In 邪魔せずに, せずに means “without doing”; せず is the negative form used with する, and に connects it as the manner or condition of the next action. A reusable pattern is verb stem + ずに for saying that an action is done without another action. Use it when explaining how to focus while avoiding disruption.
集中
In 報告書に集中できます, 集中 means focus or concentration on the report. A reusable pattern is somethingに集中する for directing attention to a task. Use it when describing uninterrupted work on an important document.
できます
In 集中できます, できます is the polite form of できる and means “can” or “am able to,” here describing the ability to focus. A reusable pattern is nounに + verbできます when saying that an action is possible in a situation. Use it when explaining what becomes possible after another task is finished.
依存関係
In 依存関係によって, 依存関係 means a dependency relationship between tasks or people’s work. A reusable pattern is 依存関係を確認する when checking what must happen before something else. Use it when planning tasks that rely on one another.
によって
In 依存関係によって, によって means “depending on” and identifies the dependency relationship as the factor causing a change; に and よって work together in this construction. A reusable pattern is factorによって outcomeが変わる. Use it when explaining why the correct order is not always fixed.
どの
In どの仕事を先にすべきか, どの modifies 仕事 and asks which task is meant. A reusable pattern is どの + noun when selecting one item from several known options. Use it when asking a colleague to identify the next task.
先
In 先にすべきか, 先 means ahead or first in the sequence. A reusable pattern is 先に + action for saying that something should be done before other actions. Use it when discussing task order.
すべき
In 先にすべきか, すべき expresses what ought to be done or what is the appropriate action. The phrase どの仕事を先にすべきか asks which task should come first. Use it when discussing a recommended or responsible course of action.
か
In どの仕事を先にすべきかが変わる, か marks the embedded question “which task should come first,” rather than ending a direct question. A reusable pattern is question clause + か + が分かる or 変わる. Use it when making an indirect question part of a larger statement.
変わる
In どの仕事を先にすべきかが変わる, 変わる means to change or vary and is already in its plain form. A reusable pattern is factorによって orderが変わる when the order depends on a condition. Use it when explaining that priorities can shift.
こと
In 変わることがあります, こと turns the preceding event of changing into an occurrence or matter that can happen. Together with あります, the phrase means that a change sometimes occurs or can happen. Use it when describing a possible situation rather than a guaranteed event.
下書き
In 報告書の下書き, 下書き means a draft, or an unfinished version of a document. A reusable pattern is documentの下書きを作る for preparing a first version. Use it when discussing work that must be completed before a final report.
終わった
In 下書きが終わった後まで, 終わった is the past form of 終わる and means “has finished” or “is finished.” It identifies completion before the later point marked by 後. Use verb-ta + 後 when ordering one completed action before another.
まで
In 終わった後まで待てます, まで marks the endpoint up to which the email can wait. A reusable pattern is time or event + まで待つ for waiting until a specified point. Use it when saying that an action does not need to happen before a particular deadline or event.
待てます
In メールは待てます, 待てます is the polite form expressing the ability to wait, from 待てる. Here it means that the urgent email can be postponed. A reusable pattern is somethingは待てる when saying that an item can be delayed without immediate action.
優先順位
In 優先順位をつけるとは, 優先順位 means priority order, the ranking that determines what should be handled first. A reusable pattern is 優先順位をつける when arranging tasks by importance or timing. Use it when planning a workload with several competing tasks.
つける
In 優先順位をつける, つける means to assign or set, specifically to assign an order of priority. A reusable pattern is 優先順位をつける for ranking tasks. Use it when turning a list of tasks into an actionable sequence.
とは
In 優先順位をつけるとは, とは frames the preceding expression as the topic being defined or explained; と marks the expression and は sets it as the topic. The whole phrase introduces an explanation of what prioritizing means. Use it when defining a work method or concept.
プレッシャー
In プレッシャーだけでなく, プレッシャー means pressure, such as the feeling that an urgent task demands immediate attention. A reusable pattern is pressureを感じる when describing this feeling. Use it when distinguishing emotional pressure from practical consequences.
だけでなく
In プレッシャーだけでなく、その結果, だけ limits the first item to “only,” で marks the state being denied, and なく connects it to an additional item, producing “not just.” A reusable pattern is AだけでなくBも when saying that both A and B matter. Use it when broadening the factors in a decision.
結果
In その結果を考える, 結果 means the result or consequence produced by a task or decision. A reusable pattern is 結果を考える when evaluating what may happen afterward. Use it when prioritizing based on effects rather than pressure alone.
考える
In その結果を考える, 考える means to think about or consider and is already in its plain form. A reusable pattern is consequenceを考える when evaluating the effects of an action. Use it when making a careful work decision.
Grammar Points
NはNにかかっています
仕事の結果は、順番を決めることにかかっています。
shee-GOH-toh noh KEK-kah wah, JOON-bahn oh kee-MEH-roo koh-toh nee kah-KAHT-teh-ee-MAHS.The result of the work depends on deciding the order.
かかっています means “depends on.” The deciding factor follows に, unlike English “depend on,” which uses on.
Vずに
他の人を邪魔せずに、仕事に集中できます。
HOH-kah noh HEE-toh oh JAH-mah seh-ZOO nee, shee-GOH-toh nee SHOO-choo deh-kee-MAHS.You can focus on the work without interrupting other people.
ずに means “without doing.” 邪魔せずに is a formal alternative to 邪魔しないで.
Japanese Vocabulary
どれも
pron
DOH-reh-moh
all of them; every one
どれも重要に感じます
メール
noun
MAY-roo
email
メールは緊急ですが
影響
noun
ay-KYOH
impact; influence
緊急性と影響を分けて考えましょう
緊急
adj
keen-KYOO
urgent
メールは緊急ですが
緊急性
noun
keen-KYOO-say
urgency
緊急性と影響を分けて考えましょう
決める
verb
kee-MEH-roo
decide; determine
順番を決める前に
顧客
noun
koh-KYAH-koo
client; customer
明日の顧客との会議
仕事
noun
shee-GOH-toh
work; task
仕事が四つありますが
四つ
num
YOT-tsu
four
仕事が四つありますが
重要
adj
JOO-yoh
important
どれも重要に感じます
順番
noun
JOON-bahn
order; sequence
順番を決める前に
報告書
noun
HOH-koh-koo-shoh
report
その報告書は明日の顧客との会議に影響します
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
urgent
Show Answer
緊急impact; influence
Show Answer
影響decide; determine