politeLesson 74

At an After-Work Gathering — Junior colleague

Situation

Where
A restaurant, team dinner
Who
You and a junior colleague
Goal
To participate in a team drinking party politely.

Conversation

Show

A

Shall we start with beer, for now?

B

I'll have oolong tea. I can't drink alcohol.

A

Of course, that's fine. Let's make a toast, then.

B

Good work today. Cheers!

Vocabulary (10)

toriaezu

for now / first of all

とりあえずビール is a classic opening line.

uuroncha

oolong tea

A common non-alcoholic choice.

osake

alcohol / sake

お酒が飲めない = "can't drink alcohol."

nomeru

can drink

Potential form of 飲む.

kanpai

cheers / toast

乾杯しましょう = "let's make a toast."

otsukaresama

good work

Also a natural toast among coworkers.

taiou

handling / response

対応します = "I will handle it."

junbi

preparation

準備しておきます = "I will prepare it in advance."

shiryou

materials / documents

資料を共有します = "I will share the materials."

shimekiri

deadline

締め切りはいつですか = "When is the deadline?"

Grammar

Noun + でいいですか

Confirms a casual choice: ビールでいいですか.

Plain form + んです

Gives an explanatory nuance: 飲めないんです.

Verb stem + ましょう

Suggests together: 乾杯しましょう.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

It's fine not to drink alcohol — just order something else. Wait for the group 乾杯 before the first sip.

Common mistake

Don't pour only your own drink; offer to pour for others, and let them pour for you. It's a social ritual.

Formality level

Polite-casual. These gatherings relax hierarchy slightly, but keep basic です/ます with seniors.

Quiz

What does "とりあえず" mean?

What does "ウーロン茶" mean?

What does "お酒" mean?

What does "飲める" mean?

What does "乾杯" mean?

What does "お疲れ様" mean?

How is the pattern "〜でいいですか" used?

How is the pattern "〜んです" used?

How is the pattern "〜ましょう" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

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