Lesson #40: お話中すみません (Ohanashi-chuu sumimasen)

Pointing out a senior coworker’s mistake

English Title: Pointing out a senior coworker’s mistake

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Role-play Setup

You’re working in airport operations, going over the daily schedule with your supervisor and a senior coworker. You notice that your senior has made an error regarding the baggage loading positions for flights.

Full Script & Explanation

The Meeting

Jooshi / Superior

では、今日の作業予定を確認していきます。
Dewa, kyoo no sagyoo-yotee o kakunin-shite ikimasu.
All right, let’s confirm today’s work schedule.

「作業予定」means “work schedule” or “work plan.” The superior is beginning the meeting. [starting a conversation]

Jooshi / Superior

佐藤さん、12便、13便のアサインを教えてください。
Satoo-san, juu-ni-bin, juu-san-bin no asain o oshiete kudasai.
Sato-san, tell us the assignments for flights 12 and 13.

「便」(bin) is the counter for flights. 「アサイン」comes from English “assign” and refers to work assignments. [requesting]

Senpai / Senior Coworker

はい。12便は成田向けで、前方が荷物14個、後方が17個です。
Hai. Juu-ni-bin wa Narita-muke de, zenpoo ga nimotsu juu-yon-ko, koohoo ga juu-nana-ko desu.
Yes. Flight 12 is bound for Narita—14 pieces of baggage in the front, 17 in the rear.

「向け」means “bound for” or “heading to.” 「前方」means “front” and「後方」means “rear.” 「個」(ko) is a counter for objects. [giving factual information]

Senpai / Senior Coworker

13便はドバイ向けで、前方が荷物6個、後方が4個です。
Juu-san-bin wa Dobai-muke de, zenpoo ga nimotsu rok-ko, koohoo ga yon-ko desu.
Flight 13 is bound for Dubai—6 pieces of baggage in the front, 4 in the rear.

The senior is giving the cargo distribution information. [giving factual information]

Jooshi / Superior

分かりました。
Wakarimashita.
Understood.

Noticing the Mistake

Student

（独り言）あれ？12便の搭載ポジション、逆じゃないかな…。
(Hitorigoto) Are? Juu-ni-bin no toosai-pojishon, gyaku ja nai ka na…
(To oneself) Huh? Isn’t the loading position for flight 12 backwards…?

「搭載」means “loading” (particularly for aircraft or vehicles). 「ポジション」comes from English “position.” 「逆」means “opposite” or “reversed.” The student notices an error. [expressing doubt]

KEY PHRASE

Student

お話中すみません。一点、確認させていただけませんか。
Ohanashi-chuu sumimasen. I-tten, kakunin-sasete itadakemasen ka.
I’m sorry to interrupt. Could I confirm one point?

「お話中」means “while you’re talking” or “in the middle of conversation.” Adding「すみません」makes it a polite interruption. 「一点」means “one point.”

This phrase is the polite way to interrupt when you need to make a correction or ask a question during a meeting. It shows respect while asserting the need to speak. [attracting attention] [requesting]

Jooshi / Superior

はい、どうぞ。
Hai, doozo.
Yes, go ahead.

The superior gives permission to speak. [granting permission]

Student

12便の搭載ポジションは、前方が17個、後方が14個ではないでしょうか。
Juu-ni-bin no toosai-pojishon wa, zenpoo ga juu-nana-ko, koohoo ga juu-yon-ko dewa nai deshoo ka.
For flight 12’s loading positions, isn’t it 17 in the front and 14 in the rear?

「ではないでしょうか」is a soft way to suggest a correction. It means “isn’t it ~?” and is more polite than directly stating someone is wrong. [asking for confirmation]

Senpai / Senior Coworker

あ、すみません。そうですね。前方が17個、後方が14個です。
A, sumimasen. Soo desu ne. Zenpoo ga juu-nana-ko, koohoo ga juu-yon-ko desu.
Oh, I’m sorry. You’re right. 17 in the front, 14 in the rear.

The senior acknowledges the mistake and corrects it. [offering an apology] [expressing agreement]

Jooshi / Superior

では、訂正をお願いします。
Dewa, teisei o onegai-shimasu.
Please make the correction, then.

「訂正」means “correction” or “revision.” The superior instructs the correction to be made. [requesting]

Vocabulary

便 (bin) - flight (counter for flights)
Example: 午前中に3便あります。(There are 3 flights in the morning.)

アサイン (asain) - assignment, assign (from English)
Example: 今日のアサインを確認してください。(Please check today’s assignments.)

搭載 (toosai) - loading, carrying (on vehicle/aircraft)
Example: 貨物を搭載します。(We’ll load the cargo.)

ポジション (pojishon) - position (from English)
Example: 正しいポジションを確認してください。(Please check the correct position.)

前方 (zenpoo) - front, forward
Example: 前方の座席に座ってください。(Please sit in the front seats.)

後方 (koohoo) - rear, back
Example: 後方のドアから入ってください。(Please enter from the rear door.)

逆 (gyaku) - opposite, reverse
Example: 順番が逆です。(The order is reversed.)

訂正 (teisei) - correction, revision
Example: 間違いがあったので、訂正します。(There was an error, so I’ll correct it.)

個 (ko) - counter for small objects
Example: りんごを5個買いました。(I bought 5 apples.)

Cultural Notes

Correcting Seniors Politely in Japanese Workplace

Pointing out a mistake made by a senior (先輩 - senpai) is delicate in Japanese culture due to respect for hierarchy. Important principles:

  1. Interrupt politely: Use「お話中すみません」before speaking
  2. Frame as a question: Use「〜ではないでしょうか」instead of direct correction
  3. Be specific: Clearly state what you believe is correct
  4. No personal blame: Focus on the facts, not who made the error
  5. Allow face-saving: Give the senior space to self-correct

This approach maintains harmony while ensuring accuracy.

The Importance of Accuracy in Aviation

In aviation operations, even small mistakes in cargo positioning can affect:

Therefore, speaking up about errors is not just acceptable—it’s essential, regardless of seniority.

Grammar Points

Using「お話中すみません」to Politely Interrupt

This set phrase is specifically used to interrupt someone who is speaking.

Structure:

Similar expressions:

Using「ではないでしょうか」for Gentle Corrections

Pattern: [Statement] + ではないでしょうか

This pattern softly suggests that something might be different, allowing the other person to save face.

Examples:

Formality levels:

Counters for Different Objects

Japanese uses different counters depending on the object type:

個 (ko) - small objects, pieces
Example: りんご3個 (3 apples)

台 (dai) - machines, vehicles
Example: 車2台 (2 cars)

本 (hon/bon/pon) - long, cylindrical objects
Example: ペン5本 (5 pens)

枚 (mai) - flat, thin objects
Example: 紙10枚 (10 sheets of paper)

冊 (satsu) - books
Example: 本3冊 (3 books)

Tips from this Dialogue

向け (muke) - bound for, heading to

「向け」is used to indicate destination or target audience.

Examples:

あれ (are) - Huh? / Wait…

This interjection expresses surprise or confusion when you notice something unexpected. It’s casual and often used when talking to yourself.

Similar expressions:

一点 (i-tten) - one point

This formal expression is used in business to refer to a single item or point.

Examples:

Keego (Polite Language)

Different Ways to Request Confirmation

From casual to formal:

  1. 確認していい？(Can I check?)
  2. 確認してもいいですか。(May I confirm?)
  3. 確認させてもらえますか。(Could you let me confirm?)
  4. 確認させていただけますか。(Could I be allowed to confirm?)
  5. 確認させていただけませんでしょうか。(Might I be allowed to confirm?)

Polite Corrections

When correcting information:

Kanji

搭 - board, ride
Reading: トウ (too)
Example: 搭載 (toosai - loading), 搭乗 (toojoo - boarding)

載 - load, carry, publish
Reading: の (no), サイ (sai)
Example: 搭載 (toosai - loading), 記載 (kisai - statement, entry)

訂 - revise, correct
Reading: テイ (tei)
Example: 訂正 (teisei - correction)

正 - correct, right
Reading: ただ (tada), セイ/ショウ (sei/shoo)
Example: 訂正 (teisei - correction), 正しい (tadashii - correct)

Source

Based on NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s “Easy Japanese for Work” Lesson #40
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/easyjapaneseforwork/skit40.html