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🇯🇵 Japanese · Advanced Level 2

PART 3 · LESSON 21 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES

The request

Mr. Okada's desk after six, the department empty: Ben makes the run-up, I know it's a bad time, asks to be allowed to take childcare leave, hears that no man in the company has ever taken it, and gets an answer that isn't quite no.

Audio instruction: English

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THE STORY

Mr. Okada's desk in the international department in Osaka, after six, the room empty. Ben is humble with his boss; Mr. Okada is polite for the record, and Osaka when he thinks aloud.

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Words and phrases

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おいそがしい ところ、 もうしわけ ない の です が。oisogashii tokoro, mōshiwake nai no desu gaI know it's a bad time, but.
なん です か？nan desu kaWhat is it?
とらせて いただけない でしょう か。torasete itadakenai deshō kamight I be allowed to take it: let me take, could I not humbly receive that, I wonder
いくきゅう を、 とらせて いただけない でしょう か。ikukyū o, torasete itadakenai deshō kaMight I be allowed to take childcare leave?
いちど も ありません。ichido mo arimasenNot once.
だから、 まず ぶちょう に。dakara, mazu buchō niThat's why I'm asking you first.
なん とも いえん なあ。nan tomo ien nāI can't say one way or the other.
しゃちょう に はなして みます。shachō ni hanashite mimasuI'll talk to the president.
はんぶん 「はい」 です よ。hanbun hai desu yoThat's half a yes.