About This Lesson
Use Clarifying a Changed Meeting Priority to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
リリースのチェックリストを確認するつもりで、通話に参加しました。
ree-REE-soo noh CHEK-koo-ree-soo-toh oh kah-koo-NIN soo-roo tsoo-moh-ree deh, tsoo-WAH nee sahn-KAH shee-mah-shee-tah. I joined the call expecting to review the launch checklist.
B
クライアントが新たなコンプライアンス上の懸念を提起したため、議題が変わりました。
koo-RAI-ahn-toh gah ah-rah-TAH-nah kohm-poo-RAI-ahn-soo-joh noh ken-NEN oh teh-kee-shee-tah tah-meh, gee-DAI gah kah-WAH-ree-mah-shee-tah. The agenda changed after the client raised a new compliance concern.
A
スライドを準備する前に、それを知っておければ助かりました。
soo-RAI-doh oh joon-BEE soo-roo mae nee, soh-reh oh shee-teh oh-keh-reh-bah tah-soo-kah-ree-mah-shee-tah. That would have been useful to know before preparing slides.
B
私もそう思いますし、その更新情報はもっと早く共有されるべきでした。
wah-TAH-shee moh soh-oh oh-MOH-ee-mah-soo-shee, soh-noh koh-SHIN joh-HOH wah MOHT-toh HAH-yah-koo kyoh-YOO sah-reh-roo beh-kee deh-shee-tah. I agree, and the update should have been shared sooner.
A
新しい優先事項を手短に整理してもよいでしょうか。
ah-TAH-rah-shee-ee yoo-SEN jee-KOH oh teh-MEE-jee-kah-nee say-REE shee-teh-moh yoh-ee deh-SHOH-kah. Could we briefly clarify the new priority?
B
それはもっともです。そうしないと、全員が別々のリスクについて話し合うことになるかもしれません。
soh-reh wah MOHT-toh-moh deh-soo. soh-shee-NAI-toh, zehn-NEEN gah beh-TSOO-beh-TSOO noh ree-soo-koo nee tsoo-ee-teh hah-nah-SHEE ah-oo koh-toh nee nah-roo kah-moh shee-reh-mah-SEN. That makes sense, since otherwise everyone may discuss different risks.
A
その背景がはっきりしてからでないと、チェックリストを要約できません。
soh-noh HAI-keh gah HAHK-kee-shee-teh kah-rah deh-NAI-toh, CHEK-koo-ree-soo-toh oh yoh-YAH-koo deh-KEE-mah-SEN. I can summarize the checklist only after that context is clear.
B
その懸念について認識を合わせてから、何を後回しにできるか決めましょう。
soh-noh ken-NEN nee tsoo-ee-teh nin-SHEE-kee oh ah-WAH-seh-teh kah-rah, nah-nee oh ah-toh-mah-WAH-shee nee deh-KEE-roo kah, kee-meh-mah-SHOH. Let's align on the concern, then decide what can wait.Word by Word
リリース
Here, リリース means the product or service launch mentioned in the meeting. It modifies チェックリスト in リリースのチェックリスト. A new example is リリースの予定を確認する, “check the launch schedule.”
の
In リリースのチェックリスト, の links リリース with チェックリスト and shows that the checklist is for the launch. It commonly connects a noun to another noun in this way. A new example is プロジェクトの計画, “the project plan.”
チェックリスト
Here, チェックリスト means the list of items to review before the launch. It is the object marked by を in チェックリストを確認する. A new example is チェックリストを共有する, “share the checklist.”
を
In チェックリストを確認する, を marks チェックリスト as the thing being reviewed. It commonly follows the object before an action verb. A new example is 資料を読む, “read the materials.”
確認する
Here, 確認する means to review or check the launch checklist. The exact form is used after チェックリストを and before つもりで to describe the planned action. A new example is 内容を確認する, “check the contents.”
つもり
In 確認するつもりで, つもり expresses the intention or plan to review the checklist. The pattern verb + つもりで describes joining or acting with that intention. A new example is 明日説明するつもりです, “I intend to explain it tomorrow.”
で
Here, で connects 確認するつもり with 参加しました and describes the state or intention with which the speaker joined the call. In this expression, it is part of the pattern つもりで + action. A new example is 勉強するつもりで図書館に行く, “go to the library intending to study.”
通話
Here, 通話 means the call or voice meeting that the speaker joined. It is followed by に in 通話に参加しました. A new example is 通話を始める, “start a call.”
に
In 通話に参加しました, に marks the call that the speaker joined or entered. With 参加する, に commonly identifies the meeting, event, or activity being joined. A new example is 会議に参加する, “join a meeting.”
参加しました
Here, 参加しました means “joined” the call. The polite past form describes an action that has already happened. A new example is 会議に参加しました, “I joined the meeting.”
クライアント
Here, クライアント means the client who raised the compliance concern. It is followed by が because it is the participant responsible for 提起した. A new example is クライアントに連絡する, “contact the client.”
が
In クライアントが新たなコンプライアンス上の懸念を提起した, が marks クライアント as the one who raised the concern. It commonly marks the subject of an action. A new example is 担当者が説明する, “the person in charge explains.”
新たな
Here, 新たな means new and describes the compliance concern as newly arising or newly presented. It directly modifies 懸念 in 新たなコンプライアンス上の懸念. A new example is 新たな課題, “a new issue.”
コンプライアンス
Here, コンプライアンス refers to compliance with relevant rules or requirements. It combines with 上 in コンプライアンス上の懸念 to specify the area of the concern. A new example is コンプライアンスを確認する, “check compliance.”
上
In コンプライアンス上の懸念, 上 means “in terms of” or “related to” compliance. The pattern noun + 上の + noun identifies the aspect or area involved. A new example is 安全面の問題, “a problem in terms of safety.”
懸念
Here, 懸念 means a concern or matter that may cause worry about compliance. It is the issue that the client raised and the coworkers later discuss. A new example is 懸念を共有する, “share a concern.”
提起した
Here, 提起した means raised or brought up a concern for discussion. The form describes the client’s completed action in the sentence. A new example is 問題を提起した, “raised an issue.”
ため
In 懸念を提起したため, ため introduces the reason why the agenda changed: the client raised a concern. The pattern plain clause + ため can state a reason in a formal or business context. A new example is 事情があるため、延期します, “because there are circumstances, we will postpone it.”
議題
Here, 議題 means the agenda or topic planned for the meeting. It is the thing that changed after the new concern was raised. A new example is 議題を確認する, “check the agenda.”
変わりました
Here, 変わりました means changed, referring to the meeting agenda. The polite past form reports that the change has already occurred. A new example is 予定が変わりました, “the schedule changed.”
それ
Here, それ refers to the information about the changed agenda and the compliance concern. It is the thing the speaker wishes they had known before preparing slides. A new example is それを先に教えてください, “please tell me that first.”
知って
In 知っておければ, 知って means knowing the information. The て-form connects it with おければ to express having that knowledge available in advance. A new example is 詳細を知っている, “know the details.”
おければ
In 知っておければ, おければ contributes the idea of having known or kept the information ready beforehand. Together with 知って, it describes knowledge that would have been useful before preparing the slides. A new example is 事前に確認しておければ助かります, “it would help if you could check it in advance.”
助かりました
Here, 助かりました means that it would have helped or been appreciated to know the information earlier. It expresses the speaker’s evaluation of help that was not available at the needed time. A new example is 早く知らせてもらえると助かります, “it would help if you could let me know early.”
私
Here, 私 means “I” in the polite statement agreeing with the other speaker. It is followed by も to show that the speaker shares the same view. A new example is 私はそう思いません, “I do not think so.”
も
In 私もそう思います, も means “also” and shows that the speaker agrees with the other person’s view. It commonly follows the person or thing that is included in the same situation. A new example is 私も参加します, “I will participate too.”
そう
Here, そう refers to the preceding idea that knowing the update earlier would have helped. In そう思います, it means thinking that the previous statement is true. A new example is そう考えています, “I think so.”
思います
Here, 思います means “think” and politely expresses agreement with the previous statement. The form そう思います is a common way to say that one shares the stated opinion. A new example is それがよいと思います, “I think that is good.”
し
Here, し connects the agreement with an additional point about when the update should have been shared. It can link reasons or related statements without presenting the first point as the only one. A new example is 時間もないし、今日はここまでにしましょう, “we are short on time, so let’s stop here today.”
その
Here, その points back to the update information already being discussed. It directly modifies 更新情報 in その更新情報. A new example is その問題について話しましょう, “let’s talk about that problem.”
更新情報
Here, 更新情報 means the update information about the changed situation. It is the topic marked by は in 更新情報はもっと早く共有されるべきでした. A new example is 更新情報を確認する, “check the update information.”
は
In 更新情報はもっと早く共有されるべきでした, は marks 更新情報 as the topic of the judgment. It sets up what should have been shared earlier. A new example is この資料は重要です, “this material is important.”
もっと
Here, もっと means “more” and strengthens the comparison with the actual timing of the update. Together with 早く, it means sooner or earlier. A new example is もっと詳しく説明してください, “please explain in more detail.”
早く
Here, 早く means earlier or sooner in relation to when the update was shared. The adverb modifies 共有されるべきでした. A new example is もっと早く連絡してください, “please contact me sooner.”
共有される
Here, 共有される means “be shared,” referring to the update information being communicated to the team. It presents the update as the information that should have reached others. A new example is 情報が全員に共有される, “the information is shared with everyone.”
べき
In 共有されるべきでした, べき expresses that sharing the update was the proper or expected action. With でした, the sentence says this should have happened earlier. A new example is 事前に確認すべきです, “you should check it in advance.”
でした
Here, でした completes the polite past expression 共有されるべきでした and places the expectation in the past. The full phrase says that the update should have been shared. A new example is それは必要でした, “that was necessary.”
新しい
Here, 新しい means new and describes the priority that needs to be clarified. It directly modifies 優先事項 in 新しい優先事項. A new example is 新しい方針を確認する, “check the new policy.”
優先事項
Here, 優先事項 means the matter that should receive priority in the changed meeting. It is the object of 整理して in the request to clarify it briefly. A new example is 優先事項を決める, “decide the priorities.”
手短に
Here, 手短に means briefly or concisely, asking for a short clarification rather than a lengthy discussion. It modifies 整理して in 手短に整理してもよいでしょうか. A new example is 手短に説明します, “I will explain briefly.”
整理
Here, 整理 contributes the idea of organizing or clarifying the new priority so that everyone understands it. It is followed by しても in the polite request 整理してもよいでしょうか. A new example is 情報を整理する, “organize the information.”
しても
In 整理してもよいでしょうか, しても forms a permission request meaning “may we organize or clarify it.” Together with よいでしょうか, it makes the request polite and tentative. A new example is 今、始めてもよいですか, “may I start now?”
よい
Here, よい means acceptable or okay in the permission question 整理してもよいでしょうか. It is part of the pattern verb-て + もよい, which asks whether an action is permitted. A new example is ここに座ってもよいですか, “may I sit here?”
でしょう
Here, でしょう makes the permission request more tentative and polite in 整理してもよいでしょうか. It softens the question rather than asserting that the action is allowed. A new example is 明日でもよいでしょうか, “would tomorrow be okay?”
か
Here, か marks 整理してもよいでしょうか as a question. At the end of a polite sentence, it signals that the speaker is asking for an answer. A new example is 内容を確認しましたか, “did you check the contents?”
もっとも
Here, もっとも means reasonable or valid in the response それはもっともです. It acknowledges that clarifying the priority makes sense. A new example is もっともな意見です, “that is a reasonable opinion.”
です
Here, です is the polite ending in それはもっともです, presenting the assessment that the request is reasonable. It gives the statement a formal, courteous tone. A new example is 重要です, “it is important.”
しない
In そうしないと, しない means “do not do” and refers to not clarifying the priority. It combines with と to introduce the result that may occur if the action is not taken. A new example is 急がないと間に合いません, “if you do not hurry, you will not make it.”
と
In そうしないと, と introduces the consequence of not clarifying the priority. The pattern negative form + と commonly means “if one does not do it, then …” for a resulting situation. A new example is 早く出ないと遅れます, “if you do not leave early, you will be late.”
全員
Here, 全員 means everyone in the meeting. It is the group that may discuss different risks if the priority is not clarified. A new example is 全員に知らせる, “tell everyone.”
別々
Here, 別々 describes the risks as separate or differing from one another. In 別々のリスク, it modifies リスク and shows that participants may focus on different risks. A new example is 別々の問題として扱う, “handle them as separate problems.”
リスク
Here, リスク means risks related to the compliance concern. It is followed by について to indicate the subject of discussion. A new example is リスクを評価する, “assess the risks.”
について
In リスクについて話し合う, について means about or concerning and identifies the topic being discussed. It commonly follows a noun before 話す or 話し合う. A new example is 今後の計画について話す, “talk about the future plan.”
話し合う
Here, 話し合う means to discuss the risks together. The verb expresses an exchange of views among the participants, with リスクについて specifying the topic. A new example is 方針について話し合う, “discuss the policy.”
こと
In 話し合うことになる, こと turns the action 話し合う into the matter or event that will result. The full expression means that everyone may end up discussing different risks. A new example is 新しい方法を試すことにする, “decide to try a new method.”
なる
Here, なる in ことになる means that a situation will result or come about. It describes everyone ending up discussing different risks if the priority is not clarified. A new example is 予定が変更になる, “the schedule will be changed.”
かもしれません
In 話し合うことになるかもしれません, かもしれません expresses possibility: everyone might end up discussing different risks. The components か, も, and しれません work together as one expression of uncertainty, so the whole phrase softens the prediction. A new example is 明日は雨かもしれません, “it might rain tomorrow.”
背景
Here, 背景 means the background or context needed to understand the changed priority. The sentence says the checklist can be summarized only once this context is clear. A new example is 背景を説明する, “explain the background.”
はっきり
Here, はっきり means clearly or distinctly, describing the state in which the context must be understood. It combines with して in はっきりしてから. A new example is 目的をはっきりさせる, “make the purpose clear.”
して
In 背景がはっきりしてから, して connects はっきり with から and describes the context becoming clear before the next action. It is part of the connected expression はっきりしてから. A new example is 準備ができてから始める, “start after the preparation is ready.”
から
Here, から means after, marking the point when the context becomes clear. The pattern clause + から indicates that the following action happens only after that condition or event. A new example is 会議が終わってから連絡します, “I will contact you after the meeting ends.”
でないと
In はっきりしてからでないと、要約できません, でないと means unless that condition is met or if it is not met. The components で, ない, and と combine to say that the checklist cannot be summarized before the context is clear. A new example is 許可がないと入れません, “you cannot enter without permission.”
要約
Here, 要約 contributes the idea of summarizing the checklist once the background is clear. It appears before できません in 要約できません to name the action that cannot yet be performed. A new example is 会議の内容を要約する, “summarize the meeting contents.”
できません
Here, できません means cannot or am unable to, referring to summarizing the checklist. It politely states that the action is not possible until the context is clear. A new example is 今は回答できません, “I cannot answer now.”
認識
Here, 認識 means the participants’ understanding of the concern. In 認識を合わせて, it refers to bringing everyone’s understanding into agreement. A new example is 認識を共有する, “share an understanding.”
合わせて
In 認識を合わせて, 合わせて means bringing the participants’ understanding into alignment. The pattern noun + を + 合わせる is used when making views, timing, or understanding agree. A new example is 意見を合わせてから決める, “decide after aligning opinions.”
何
Here, 何 means “what” in 何を後回しにできるか. It asks which task or matter can be postponed. A new example is 何を確認しますか, “what will you check?”
後回し
Here, 後回し means postponing a task or dealing with it later. In 何を後回しにできるか, it identifies the items that can wait while the new priority is handled. A new example is この作業を後回しにする, “put this task off.”
できる
Here, できる means can or be able to, referring to what may be postponed. It appears in 後回しにできるか to ask which items can be put off. A new example is 今日中にできる, “can do it by today.”
決めましょう
Here, 決めましょう means “let’s decide,” inviting the coworkers to make a joint decision about what can wait. The form presents the action as a proposal for the group. A new example is 次の手順を決めましょう, “let’s decide the next steps.”
Grammar Points
〜されるべきでした
更新情報はもっと早く共有されるべきでした。
koh-SHIN joh-HOH wah MOHT-toh HAH-yah-koo kyoh-YOO sah-reh-roo beh-kee deh-shee-tah.The update information should have been shared sooner.
This passive pattern expresses that something should have happened in the past but did not.
そうしないと、〜
そうしないと、別々のリスクを話し合うことになります。
soh-shee-NAI-toh, beh-TSOO-beh-TSOO noh ree-soo-koo oh hah-nah-SHEE ah-oo koh-toh nee nah-REE-mah-soo.Otherwise, we will end up discussing separate risks.
そうしないと means “otherwise” and introduces the negative result of not taking the preceding action.
Japanese Vocabulary
コンプライアンス
noun
kohm-poo-RAI-ahn-soo
compliance
チェックリスト
noun
CHEK-koo-ree-soo-toh
checklist
つもりで
phrase
tsoo-moh-ree deh
intending to; with the expectation of
リリース
noun
ree-REE-soo
release
確認する
verb
kah-koo-NIN soo-roo
review; confirm
議題
noun
gee-DAI
agenda
懸念
noun
ken-NEN
concern
参加しました
verb
sahn-KAH shee-mah-shee-tah
joined; participated
新たな
adj
ah-rah-TAH-nah
new
通話
noun
tsoo-WAH
call
提起した
verb
teh-kee-shee-tah
raised; brought up
変わりました
verb
kah-WAH-ree-mah-shee-tah
changed
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
checklist
Show Answer
チェックリストrelease
Show Answer
リリースreview; confirm
Show Answer
確認するjoined; participated