politeLesson 74

Discussing Requirements — Junior colleague

Situation

Where
A requirements meeting
Who
You and the junior colleague
Goal
To clarify the specification before starting implementation.

Conversation

Show

A

Regarding the materials, let me confirm the specification.

B

Yes, go ahead. If anything is unclear, ask me anything.

A

Is this feature required, or optional?

B

It's required. But a simplified version is fine for the first release.

A

Understood. Then I'll implement it with that approach.

Vocabulary (10)

shiyou

specification

仕様書 = the spec document.

fumei

unclear / unknown

不明な点 = "unclear points."

hissu

required / mandatory

Opposite of 任意 (optional).

nin'i

optional

任意項目 = "optional field."

shohan

first version

The first release of something.

kan'iban

simplified version

A lighter, minimal version.

kamaimasen

it doesn't matter / is fine

〜でも構いません = "even … is fine."

houshin

policy / approach

その方針で = "with that approach."

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."

Grammar

Verb causative te-form + ください

Humbly asks to be allowed to do something: 確認させてください = "let me confirm."

Plain form + でしょうか

A softer, more polite question than 〜ですか.

Noun + でも構いません

"Even … is acceptable." Signals flexibility.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

Confirming specs before coding (確認させてください) is highly valued in Japanese teams — it prevents rework and shows 報連相 discipline.

Formality level

Polite with keigo (させてください). Suitable across all seniority levels.

Common mistake

Don't assume requirements. Asking 必須でしょうか vs 任意でしょうか signals careful thinking, not ignorance.

Quiz

What does "仕様" mean?

What does "不明" mean?

What does "必須" mean?

What does "任意" mean?

What does "初版" mean?

What does "簡易版" mean?

How is the pattern "〜させてください" used?

How is the pattern "〜でしょうか" used?

How is the pattern "〜でも構いません" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

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