About This Lesson
Use Resolving a Shared Office Booking Conflict to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
共有オフィスのカレンダーで、会議室が二重に予約されています。
kyoh-YOO OH-fee-soo noh kah-REN-dah deh, KAH-ee-jee-SHEET-soo gah nee-JOO-nee yoh-YAH-koo sah-reh-teh-ee-MAH-soo. The meeting room is double-booked on the shared office calendar.
B
どちらがより急いで使う必要がありますか。
doh-CHEE-rah gah yoh-REE ee-SOH-ee-deh tsoo-KAH-oo hee-tsoo-YOH gah ah-ree-MAH-soo kah? Who needs it more urgently?
A
顧客と個別に話す電話があります。
koh-KYAH-koo toh koh-BEH-tsoo nee hah-NAH-soo dehn-WAH gah ah-ree-MAH-soo. I have a private client call.
A
でも、別の人が一人で仕事をするために予約しました。
DEH-moh, BEH-tsoo noh HEE-toh gah hee-TOH-ree deh shee-GOH-toh oh soo-roo tah-MEH-nee yoh-YAH-koo shee-mah-SHEE-tah. But someone else booked it for solo work.
B
それなら、少しの間使わせてもらえるか、その人に聞いてみてください。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, soo-KOH-shee noh AH-ee-dah tsoo-kah-wah-SEH-teh moh-RAH-eh-roo kah, soh-noh HEE-toh nee KEE-teh mee-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Then ask whether they can let you use it briefly.
A
自分の仕事のほうが大事だと思われる言い方はしたくありません。
jee-BOON noh shee-GOH-toh noh hoh gah DIE-jee dah toh oh-moh-wah-reh-roo ee-ee-KAH-tah wah shee-TAH-koo ah-ree-mah-SEHN. I do not want to sound like my task is more important.
B
例えば、電話に使って、終わったらすぐに出るという妥協案を出してください。
tah-TOH-eh-bah, dehn-WAH nee tsoo-KAHT-teh, oh-WAHT-tah-rah soo-GOO-nee deh-ROO toh EE-oo dah-KYOH-ahn oh dah-SHEE-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Offer a compromise, like using it for the call and leaving right after.
A
それなら公平だと思います。私も、相手が別の仕事場所を見つけるのを手伝えます。
soh-reh-NAH-rah koh-HEH dah toh oh-MOH-ee-MAH-soo. wah-TAH-shee moh EYE-teh gah BEH-tsoo noh shee-GOH-toh BAH-shoh oh mee-T-SOO-keh-roo noh oh teh-tsoo-DAH-eh-MAH-soo. That feels fair. I can also help them find another workspace.
B
それなら、相手の予約も尊重していることが伝わります。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, EYE-teh noh yoh-YAH-koo moh sohn-CHOH shee-TEH-ee-roo koh-toh gah tsoo-tah-wah-ree-MAH-soo. That shows you respect their booking too.
A
今すぐ相手にメッセージを送って、状況を説明できます。
EE-mah soo-GOO EYE-teh nee MEH-sseh-jee oh oh-KOOT-teh, JOH-kyoh oh seh-tsoo-MEH-ee deh-kee-MAH-soo. I can message them now and explain the situation.
B
メッセージは短くして、その妥協案を提案してください。
MEH-sseh-jee wah mee-jee-KAH-koo shee-teh, soh-noh dah-KYOH-ahn oh teh-ee-AHN shee-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Keep the message brief and suggest that compromise.Word by Word
共有
In this dialogue, 共有 means “shared,” describing an office calendar used by multiple people. The exact form 共有 commonly comes before a noun, as in 共有オフィス or 共有スペース. A new example is 共有のドキュメントです。
オフィス
オフィス means “office” here, referring to the shared workplace. It is a loanword used as a noun, often with の before another noun, as in オフィスのカレンダー. A new example is オフィスで働いています。
の
Here, の links 共有オフィス to カレンダー and means that the calendar belongs to or is associated with the shared office. The reusable pattern is AのB, meaning “B of A” or “A’s B.” A new example is 会社の会議室です。
カレンダー
カレンダー means “calendar,” specifically the shared office calendar in this line. It is a noun and can be modified by の, as in オフィスのカレンダー. A new example is カレンダーを確認します。
で
In 共有オフィスのカレンダーで, で marks the place or setting where the double booking appears: “on the shared office calendar.” A useful pattern is placeで information or an event is found. A new example is 予約サイトで確認しました。
会議室
会議室 means “meeting room,” the room whose bookings overlap in this dialogue. The word combines 会議, “meeting,” with 室, “room,” and works as a noun. A new example is 会議室を予約しました。
が
Here, が marks 会議室 as the subject of the state described by 二重に予約されています. The common pattern is subjectが state or action, especially when presenting new information. A new example is 部屋が空いています。
二重
二重 means “double” or “overlapping” here, indicating that the meeting room has two bookings. In this dialogue it is followed by に in 二重に, which makes the description function adverbially. A new example is 二重の予約がありました。
に
In 二重に予約されています, に turns 二重 into the manner “doubly” or “in an overlapping way.” A reliable reuse pattern is adjective-like noun plus に before a verb, such as 静かに話す. A new example is 丁寧に説明します。
予約
予約 means “reservation” or “booking,” referring to a scheduled use of the meeting room. In 予約されています, it is part of the expression for something being booked. A new example is 予約を変更できますか。
されて
In 予約されて, this form presents the room as having a booking placed on it, rather than focusing on who made the booking. It connects the booking state to います in 予約されています. A useful pattern is noun plus されている for something that is in a state of having been acted on. A new example is すでに予約されています。
います
Here, います completes 予約されています and shows that the room remains in that booked state now. The exact expression 予約されています is useful for reporting current reservations. A new example is 部屋は使用されています。
どちら
どちら means “which one” or “which of the two,” asking the speakers to choose between the two people who need the room. It is used here in the question どちらがより急いで使う必要がありますか. A new example is どちらが先ですか。
より
Here, より marks the basis of comparison in より急いで, making the meaning “more urgently.” The reusable pattern is AよりB, or an adjective-like expression with より for comparison. A new example is こちらのほうが前の案より便利です。
急いで
In より急いで使う必要がありますか, 急いで describes needing to use the room urgently or in a hurry. It is the て-form of 急ぐ, used here before another verb-like expression. A new example is 急いで戻ってきました。
使う
使う means “use,” referring to using the meeting room. Here it appears in 使う必要がありますか, meaning “is there a need to use it?” A useful pattern is place or objectを使う. A new example is この部屋を使います。
必要
必要 means “need” or “necessity,” and 必要がありますか asks whether someone needs to use the room. It commonly appears in 必要がある or 必要があります. A new example is 予約を変更する必要があります。
あります
In 必要がありますか, あります expresses that a need exists, giving the question “is there a need?” The reusable pattern is nounがある, with 必要がある meaning “need to.” A new example is その作業をする必要があります。
か
Here, か marks the sentence as a question: どちらがより急いで使う必要がありますか. It commonly comes at the end of a polite question. A new example is 会議室は空いていますか。
顧客
顧客 means “client” or “customer,” referring to the person A will speak with privately. It is a noun used with と in 顧客と話す, “talk with a client.” A new example is 顧客に連絡しました。
と
In 顧客と個別に話す, と means “with” and identifies the conversation partner. The reusable pattern is personと話す, meaning “talk with a person.” A new example is 同僚と相談します。
個別
個別 means “individual” or “private” here, describing a call or conversation held separately with the client. In 個別に話す, it takes に before the verb to describe how the talking is done. A new example is 個別に対応します。
話す
話す means “talk” or “speak,” and here it describes talking individually with a client by phone. The pattern 顧客と話す uses と for the person spoken with. A new example is 担当者と話したいです。
電話
電話 means “telephone call” in 顧客と個別に話す電話, referring to a private client call. As a noun, it can be modified by another phrase before it or followed by を in expressions about making or using a call. A new example is 電話があります。
でも
Here, でも introduces a contrast: A has a client call, but someone else has already booked the room. The exact form でも can connect a preceding statement to contrasting information. A new example is 行きたいです。でも、時間がありません。
別
別 means “different” or “another” in 別の人, identifying a person other than A. The reusable pattern 別の＋noun means “another noun” or “a different noun.” A new example is 別の方法を考えましょう。
人
人 means “person,” and in 別の人 it refers to another person who booked the room. It commonly follows a modifier such as 別の. A new example is その人に聞いてください。
一人
一人 means “one person” or “alone,” describing solo work in 一人で仕事をする. The particle で shows the state or manner of working alone. A new example is 一人で行きます。
仕事
仕事 means “work” or “task,” referring to the solo work for which the other person booked the room. In 仕事をする, を marks work as what is done. A new example is 仕事を始めます。
を
Here, を marks 仕事 as the object of する in 仕事をする, meaning “do work.” The reusable pattern is nounをする for activities or tasks. A new example is 準備をします。
する
する means “do,” and 仕事をする means “do work.” It is also used after many activity nouns to form expressions for carrying out those activities. A new example is 会議をする。
ため
In 一人で仕事をするため, ため expresses the purpose “for the purpose of doing solo work.” The reusable pattern is verb plain form plus ため, meaning “for the purpose of doing.” A new example is 資料を確認するために来ました。
しました
In 予約しました, しました means “booked” or “made,” completing the past action of making a reservation. It is the polite past form of する, and 予約しました is a common way to say “booked.” A new example is 会議室を予約しました。
それ
それ refers back to the situation just mentioned, especially the other person’s booking for solo work. In それなら, it helps introduce advice based on that information. A new example is それを確認してください。
なら
In それなら, なら means “if so” or “in that case,” connecting the previous information to a suggestion. The reusable pattern それなら、... is useful when responding to a newly stated situation. A new example is それなら、別の部屋を探しましょう。
少し
少し means “a little” or “a short amount,” and here it limits how long A asks to use the room. It commonly modifies a time expression or verb phrase. A new example is 少し待ってください。
間
In 少しの間, 間 means a period or interval of time, so the phrase means “for a short while.” The reusable pattern is quantity or modifier plus の間 for a duration. A new example is 十分の間、ここで待ちます。
使わせて
In 使わせてもらえる, 使わせて expresses letting someone use something; the whole expression asks whether A may be allowed to use the room. It is the connecting form before もらえる. A useful pattern is placeを使わせてもらう, meaning “be allowed to use a place.” A new example is この席を使わせてください。
もらえる
In 使わせてもらえる, もらえる expresses being able to receive someone’s permission or favor, so the whole phrase means “can I be allowed to use it?” The reusable pattern is verb-causative て-form plus もらえる when asking whether someone can let you do something. A new example is 少し確認させてもらえますか。
その
その means “that” or “the aforementioned,” and in その人 it points back to the person who booked the room. It comes directly before the noun it modifies. A new example is その予約を確認します。
聞いて
In 聞いてみてください, 聞いて means “ask” rather than “listen,” because A is being told to ask the person for permission. It is the connecting form before みてください. A useful pattern is personに聞く for asking a person. A new example is 担当者に聞いてください。
みて
In 聞いてみてください, みて adds the idea of trying the action: “try asking.” It follows another verb in the て-form and is followed here by ください for a polite request. A new example is もう一度確認してみてください。
ください
Here, ください makes 聞いてみてください a polite request: “please try asking.” The reusable pattern is verb て-form plus ください. A new example is 少し待ってください。
自分
自分 refers to A’s own task in 自分の仕事のほう, contrasting it with the other person’s work. The common pattern 自分の＋noun means “one’s own noun.” A new example is 自分の予定を確認します。
ほう
In 自分の仕事のほうが大事, ほう identifies one side of a comparison, meaning “A’s task is the more important one.” The reusable comparison pattern is AのほうがB, meaning “A is more ... than B” when the comparison is understood. A new example is 電話のほうが急ぎです。
大事
大事 means “important” here, describing how A does not want their task to sound more important than the other person’s. It appears before だ in 大事だ. A new example is 相手の予定も大事です。
だ
In 大事だ, だ links the noun-like adjective 大事 to the following thought inside the quoted comparison. The exact form 大事だ means “is important” in a plain style. A new example is それは大事だと思います。
思われる
In 大事だと思われる言い方, 思われる means “be perceived or thought,” describing wording that may make others think A’s task is more important. It presents the impression received by another person rather than A’s own opinion. A new example is 冷たいと思われるかもしれません。
言い方
言い方 means “way of saying something” or “wording,” referring to how A phrases the request. It combines 言い, “saying,” with 方, “way,” and commonly follows a modifier such as 大事だと思われる. A new example is 丁寧な言い方を選びます。
は
Here, は marks 言い方 as the topic and gives it contrast in 言い方はしたくありません: “as for wording like that, I do not want to use it.” The particle は commonly marks a topic or contrast. A new example is この方法は使いません。
したく
In したくありません, したく expresses “want to do” in the form needed before ありません, so 言い方はしたくありません means “do not want to phrase it that way.” The reusable pattern is verb stem plus たくない or its polite equivalent for not wanting to do something. A new example is 今は話したくありません。
ありません
Here, ありません completes したくありません and politely expresses that A does not want to use that wording. The form also appears in expressions meaning that something is not present, but this dialogue uses it with したく. A new example is 問題ありません。
例えば
例えば means “for example,” introducing one possible compromise. It commonly comes before an illustrative action or proposal. A new example is 例えば、明日の朝に会いましょう。
使って
In 使って、終わったら, 使って means “using it” and links that action to the next action of leaving. It is the て-form of 使う, used to connect actions in sequence. A new example is これを使って説明します。
終わったら
終わったら means “when it is finished” or “once it ends,” referring here to the call. The pattern verb past form plus たら expresses a condition or time after an action is completed. A new example is 会議が終わったら連絡します。
すぐ
すぐ means “immediately” or “right away,” emphasizing that A will leave as soon as the call ends. It commonly modifies a following verb, as in すぐ出る. A new example is すぐ戻ります。
出る
In すぐに出る, 出る means “leave” or “go out” of the meeting room. The reusable pattern is placeを出る when stating that someone leaves a place. A new example is 会議室を出ます。
という
In 使って、終わったらすぐに出るという妥協案, という links the preceding description to the noun 妥協案, meaning “a compromise proposal that says or involves doing that.” The pattern clause plus という plus noun is useful for identifying the content of an idea or proposal. A new example is 明日出発するという予定です。
妥協案
妥協案 means “compromise proposal,” referring to the arrangement of using the room for the call and leaving immediately afterward. It is a noun often used with 出す or 提案する. A new example is 公平な妥協案を考えます。
出して
In 妥協案を出してください, 出して means “offer” or “put forward,” referring to presenting a compromise proposal. It is the て-form used with ください for a polite request. A new example is 新しい案を出してください。
公平
公平 means “fair,” and 公平だと思います expresses that the proposed arrangement seems fair. It is a noun-like adjective that can be followed by だ or です. A new example is 公平な方法を選びます。
思います
Here, 思います means “think” or “feel,” expressing A’s judgment that the compromise is fair. It commonly follows a quoted or described opinion, as in 公平だと思います. A new example is それがよいと思います。
私
私 means “I” or “me,” and here it is the person who can help the other user find another workspace. It is a polite, neutral first-person pronoun. A new example is 私が連絡します。
も
In 私も, も means “also” or “too,” adding A’s offer of help to the compromise. It commonly replaces は or が after the noun being included. A new example is 私も参加します。
相手
相手 means “the other person” or “counterpart,” referring to the person whose room booking conflicts with A’s call. It is useful when referring to the other participant in a situation without naming them. A new example is 相手の都合を確認します。
場所
場所 means “place,” and here it refers to another workspace location. It is modified by 仕事 in 仕事場所, describing a place for work. A new example is 静かな場所を探します。
見つける
見つける means “find,” and in 仕事場所を見つける it means find another place to work. The reusable pattern is objectを見つける. A new example is 新しい部屋を見つけました。
手伝えます
手伝えます means “can help,” and here it states that A is able to help the other person find another workspace. The common pattern is personを手伝う or verb phraseを手伝う. A new example is 資料の準備を手伝えます。
尊重
尊重 means “respect,” and here it refers to respecting the other person’s booking as valid too. It commonly appears with する, as in 予約を尊重する. A new example is 相手の意見を尊重します。
して
In 尊重している, して is the connecting form of する and links 尊重 to いる. The whole expression 尊重している means “is respecting” or “shows respect for.” A new example is ルールを尊重して行動します。
いる
Here, いる completes 尊重している and presents respect as an ongoing attitude or state. The pattern verb て-form plus いる commonly describes an action or state continuing at the relevant time. A new example is 今も働いている人です。
こと
In 尊重していることが伝わります, こと turns the preceding idea into “the fact that you respect their booking.” The reusable pattern clause plus ことが伝わる means that an attitude or fact comes across. A new example is 努力していることが伝わります。
伝わります
伝わります means “comes across” or “is conveyed,” describing how the other person can perceive A’s respect for the booking. It commonly follows the message, feeling, or fact that is communicated. A new example is 気持ちが伝わります。
今
今 means “now,” indicating that A can send the message immediately. It commonly appears with a present or immediate action. A new example is 今、確認します。
メッセージ
メッセージ means “message,” referring to the written communication A plans to send about the room conflict. It is a noun commonly used with を and 送る. A new example is メッセージを読みました。
送って
In メッセージを送って、状況を説明できます, 送って means “send” and connects sending the message with explaining the situation. It is the て-form of 送る. A new example is メールを送って確認します。
状況
状況 means “situation,” referring to the double booking and the competing needs for the meeting room. It commonly appears with 説明する in 状況を説明する. A new example is 現在の状況を説明します。
説明
説明 means “explanation,” and in 状況を説明できます it is used with する to mean “explain the situation.” The reusable pattern is topicを説明する. A new example is 方法を説明します。
できます
Here, できます means “can do” and expresses A’s ability to send a message and explain the situation. It follows the て-form connection in 送って説明できます. A new example is 今日、対応できます。
短く
In メッセージを短くして, 短く means “brief” or “short,” describing the message’s desired length. It is the form used before して to mean “make or keep it brief.” A new example is 答えを短くしてください。
提案
提案 means “suggestion” or “proposal,” and here it refers to the compromise that B tells A to suggest. It commonly appears with する, as in 提案する, or with を and 出す. A new example is 別の方法を提案します。
Grammar Points
〜させてもらえる
会議室を少しの間使わせてもらえる？
KAH-ee-jee-SHEET-soo oh soo-KOH-shee noh AH-ee-dah tsoo-kah-wah-SEH-teh moh-RAH-eh-roo?Could you let me use the meeting room for a short while?
This expression asks for permission while implying appreciation for being allowed to do something.
〜してください
妥協案を提案してください。
dah-KYOH-ahn oh teh-ee-AHN shee-teh koo-DAH-sigh.Please suggest a compromise.
Attach してください to a verb to make a polite request or instruction.
Japanese Vocabulary
カレンダー
noun
kah-REN-dah
calendar
どちら
pron
doh-CHEE-rah
which one; who among two
一人で仕事をする
phrase
hee-TOH-ree deh shee-GOH-toh oh soo-roo
to work alone
会議室
noun
KAH-ee-jee-SHEET-soo
meeting room
急いで
adv
ee-SOH-ee-deh
urgently; in a hurry
共有オフィス
noun
kyoh-YOO OH-fee-soo
shared office
個別に話す
phrase
koh-BEH-tsoo nee hah-NAH-soo
to speak privately; to have an individual conversation
顧客
noun
koh-KYAH-koo
client; customer
使わせてもらえる
phrase
tsoo-kah-wah-SEH-teh moh-RAH-eh-roo
can let someone use; can allow someone to use
二重に予約されています
phrase
nee-JOO-nee yoh-YAH-koo sah-reh-teh-ee-MAH-soo
is double-booked
必要
noun
hee-tsoo-YOH
need; necessity
別の人
phrase
BEH-tsoo noh HEE-toh
someone else; another person
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
shared office
Show Answer
共有オフィスis double-booked
Show Answer
二重に予約されていますto speak privately; to have an individual conversation
Show Answer
個別に話すcalendar