Lesson #44: ご相談があります (Gosoodan ga arimasu)
Making a polite request to a superior
English Title: Making a polite request to a superior
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Role-play Setup
You’re working at a metalworking company. You want to request a day off next month for your wedding anniversary, but your factory boss has shoulder pain. You help him first, then make your request.
Full Script & Explanation
Noticing the Superior’s Difficulty
Jooshi / Superior
うーん…。
Uun…
Hmm…
The superior is struggling with something. [expressing difficulty]
Student
工場長、どうかされましたか。
Koojoochoo, doo ka saremashita ka.
Factory Manager, is something wrong?
「工場長」means “factory manager” or “plant manager.” 「どうかされましたか」is a polite way to ask “What’s wrong?” or “Is something the matter?” [asking for information]
Jooshi / Superior
あぁ、ちょっと肩が痛くて。
Aa, chotto kata ga itakute.
Ah, my shoulder hurts a bit.
「肩」means “shoulder.” The superior explains his pain. [giving factual information]
Student
この荷物、お持ちしましょうか。
Kono nimotsu, omochi-shimashoo ka.
Shall I carry this package for you?
「お持ちしましょうか」is the polite form of「持ちましょうか」, using the humble prefix「お」. The student offers help. [offering suggestions]
Jooshi / Superior
あぁ、悪いね。お願い。
Aa, warui ne. Onegai.
Ah, sorry about that. Please.
「悪いね」is a casual apology for causing trouble. [offering an apology]
Student
いえいえ。
Ieie.
Not at all.
「いえいえ」politely deflects the apology. [responding]
After Helping
Jooshi / Superior
助かったよ。ありがとう。
Tasukatta yo. Arigatoo.
That was a big help. Thanks.
「助かった」means “that helped” or “I was saved.” [expressing gratitude]
Student
いえ、どういたしまして。
Ie, doo itashimashite.
No problem at all.
「どういたしまして」is “you’re welcome.” [responding to thanks]
KEY PHRASE - Making the Request
Student
あの、工場長。ご相談があります。今、お時間よろしいでしょうか。
Ano, koojoochoo. Gosoodan ga arimasu. Ima, ojikan yoroshii deshoo ka.
Um, Factory Manager. I’d like to talk with you about something. Do you have a minute?
「ご相談があります」means “I have something to discuss” or “I’d like to consult with you.” 「お時間よろしいでしょうか」is a very polite way to ask “Do you have time?”
This set phrase is the proper way to request a superior’s time for an important matter. It shows respect and gives them the option to decline if busy. [attracting attention] [requesting]
Jooshi / Superior
うん、大丈夫だよ。
Un, daijoobu da yo.
Yeah, sure.
The superior gives permission to continue. [granting permission]
Student
来月の10日に、私用で休みをいただきたいのですが、よろしいでしょうか。
Raigetsu no tooka ni, shiyoo de yasumi o itadakitai no desu ga, yoroshii deshoo ka.
I’d like to take a day off on the 10th of next month for personal reasons. Would that be all right?
「私用」means “personal reasons” or “private matters.” 「休みをいただく」is the humble form of “to take time off.” 「よろしいでしょうか」asks for permission politely. [requesting]
Jooshi / Superior
10日？えーっと…。
Tooka? Eetto…
The 10th? Let me see…
The superior is checking the schedule. [thinking]
Jooshi / Superior
あぁ、問題ないよ。理由を聞いてもいいかな。
Aa, mondai nai yo. Riyuu o kiite mo ii ka na.
Ah, no problem. May I ask the reason?
The superior grants permission but asks for the reason. [granting permission] [asking for information]
Student
結婚記念日なんです。
Kekkon-kinenbi nan desu.
It’s my wedding anniversary.
「結婚記念日」means “wedding anniversary.” [giving factual information]
Jooshi / Superior
そうなんだ。いいね。じゃあ、10日は休んでください。
Soo nan da. Ii ne. Jaa, tooka wa yasunde kudasai.
I see. That’s nice. Then, please take the 10th off.
The superior approves the request warmly. [expressing agreement]
Student
ありがとうございます。
Arigatoo gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.
Vocabulary
工場長 (koojoochoo) - factory manager, plant manager
Example: 工場長に報告します。(I’ll report to the factory manager.)
肩 (kata) - shoulder
Example: 肩がこっています。(My shoulders are stiff.)
相談 (soodan) - consultation, discussion
Example: 相談に乗ってください。(Please listen to my problem.)
お時間 (ojikan) - your time (polite)
Example: お時間をいただけますか。(Could you spare me some time?)
私用 (shiyoo) - personal business, private matter
Example: 私用で外出します。(I’m going out for personal business.)
記念日 (kinenbi) - anniversary, memorial day
Example: 今日は特別な記念日です。(Today is a special anniversary.)
結婚記念日 (kekkon-kinenbi) - wedding anniversary
Example: 結婚記念日にレストランで食事しました。(We ate at a restaurant on our wedding anniversary.)
10日 (tooka) - the 10th day of the month
Example: 10日に会議があります。(There’s a meeting on the 10th.)
Cultural Notes
Requesting Time Off in Japan
Japanese workplace culture around time off:
- Timing matters - Request well in advance, not last minute
- Choose your moment - Ask when your superior is not busy or stressed
- Build rapport first - Helping your superior before asking shows consideration
- Use proper phrases - 「ご相談があります」and「お時間よろしいでしょうか」are essential
- Give a reason - Even though「私用」(personal reasons) is acceptable, more specific reasons (like anniversaries) are appreciated
- Show gratitude - Thank them sincerely when permission is granted
The Importance of「お時間よろしいでしょうか」
This phrase:
- Shows respect for the superior’s time
- Gives them control over the timing
- Signals an important request is coming
- Is non-demanding despite needing to ask
Days of the Month - Special Readings
Japanese has unique readings for dates 1-10:
- 1日 - ついたち (tsuitachi)
- 2日 - ふつか (futsuka)
- 3日 - みっか (mikka)
- 4日 - よっか (yokka)
- 5日 - いつか (itsuka)
- 6日 - むいか (muika)
- 7日 - なのか (nanoka)
- 8日 - ようか (yooka)
- 9日 - ここのか (kokonoka)
- 10日 - とおか (tooka)
After 10, most use regular number + 日 (nichi), with some exceptions.
Grammar Points
Using「ご相談があります」to Start Important Requests
Pattern: ご + [noun] + があります
This pattern politely introduces a topic you want to discuss.
Examples:
-
ご相談があります。
(I have something to discuss with you.) -
お願いがあります。
(I have a request.) -
ご報告があります。
(I have something to report.)
The Pattern「お時間よろしいでしょうか」
This is a set phrase to ask for someone’s time politely.
Breakdown:
- お時間 = your time (honorific)
- よろしい = all right, OK (polite form of いい)
- でしょうか = question marker (polite)
Similar patterns:
- 今、よろしいでしょうか。(Is now a good time?)
- お時間ありますか。(Do you have time? - less formal)
- ちょっといいですか。(Got a minute? - casual)
Using the Conditional「ば」Form
Pattern: [Verb stem] + ば
This creates “if” conditions.
Examples:
-
行けば、会えます。
(If you go, you can meet them.) -
頑張れば、できます。
(If you try hard, you can do it.) -
聞けば、分かります。
(If you ask, you’ll understand.)
For i-adjectives:
-
安ければ、買います。
(If it’s cheap, I’ll buy it.) -
良ければ、どうぞ。
(If it’s OK with you, please go ahead.)
Tips from this Dialogue
どうかされましたか (doo ka saremashita ka)
This is a very polite way to ask “Is something wrong?” or “What’s the matter?”
Breakdown:
- どう = how
- か = question particle (adds politeness)
- される = honorific passive form
- ました = past tense
- か = question marker
Alternatives:
- どうしましたか。(What’s wrong? - polite)
- どうされましたか。(What’s wrong? - honorific)
- 大丈夫ですか。(Are you OK? - neutral)
私用 (shiyoo) - Personal Business
「私用」is the formal term for personal matters/reasons. It’s deliberately vague to protect privacy.
Usage:
- 私用で休みます。(Taking time off for personal reasons.)
- 私用で外出します。(Going out for personal business.)
- 私用電話 (personal phone call - not work-related)
Related terms:
- 公用 (kooyoo) - official/public business
- 所用 (shoyoo) - business, errand
- 用事 (yooji) - errand, things to do
助かる (tasukaru) - To be saved, to be helped
This verb expresses that something was helpful or rescued you from difficulty.
Examples:
-
手伝ってくれて助かりました。
(Your help really saved me.) -
早く来てくれて助かった。
(I’m glad you came early. / That helped a lot.) -
そう言ってもらえると助かります。
(It helps to hear you say that.)
Keego (Polite Language)
Different Ways to Request Time Off
From casual to formal:
- 休みたいんだけど。(Casual - to peers)
- 休みたいのですが。(Polite)
- 休みをいただきたいのですが。(Humble polite)
- お休みをいただきたく存じますが。(Very formal)
Asking for Someone’s Time
Levels of politeness:
- 今、いい？(Very casual)
- 今、いいですか。(Polite)
- 今、よろしいですか。(More polite)
- お時間よろしいでしょうか。(Very polite)
- お時間をいただけますでしょうか。(Extremely polite)
Keego Patterns
The「お/ご + する」Humble Pattern
This pattern makes your actions humble when they affect someone of higher status:
Examples:
- 持つ → お持ちする (to carry - humble)
- 送る → お送りする (to send - humble)
- 伝える → お伝えする (to convey - humble)
- 相談 → ご相談する (to consult - humble)
Using「いただく」for Humble Receiving
「いただく」is the humble form of「もらう」(to receive).
Examples:
- 時間をいただく (to receive time = to take time)
- 休みをいただく (to receive a day off = to take a day off)
- 教えていただく (to receive teaching = to be taught)
Kanji
工 - craft, construction
Reading: こう (koo), ク (ku)
Example: 工場 (koojoo - factory), 工事 (kooji - construction)
場 - place, location
Reading: ば (ba), ジョウ (joo)
Example: 工場 (koojoo - factory), 場所 (basho - place)
相 - mutual, together, appearance
Reading: あい (ai), ソウ (soo)
Example: 相談 (soodan - consultation), 相手 (aite - partner)
談 - talk, discussion
Reading: ダン (dan)
Example: 相談 (soodan - consultation), 会談 (kaidan - conference)
私 - private, I
Reading: わたくし/わたし (watakushi/watashi), シ (shi)
Example: 私 (watashi - I), 私用 (shiyoo - personal business)
用 - business, task, use
Reading: もち (mochi), ヨウ (yoo)
Example: 私用 (shiyoo - personal business), 用事 (yooji - errand)
記 - record, write down
Reading: しる (shiru), キ (ki)
Example: 記念日 (kinenbi - anniversary), 記録 (kiroku - record)
念 - thought, concern
Reading: ネン (nen)
Example: 記念 (kinen - commemoration), 念のため (nen no tame - just in case)
Source
Based on NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s “Easy Japanese for Work” Lesson #44
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/easyjapaneseforwork/skit44.html