politeLesson 47

Asking for Help While Stuck — Coworker

Situation

Where
At your desk / on chat
Who
You and a coworker
Goal
To ask for help politely after trying yourself first.

Conversation

Show

A

Excuse me, do you have a moment right now?

B

Yes, sure. What's up?

A

I'm stuck on the fix. I looked into it myself, but couldn't solve it.

B

I see. Let's look together. Please share your screen.

A

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Vocabulary (10)

yoroshiidesuka

is it okay? (polite)

今よろしいですか = "Do you have a moment?"

tsumaru

to be stuck

〜で詰まる = to be stuck on something.

shiraberu

to look into / investigate

自分で調べる = "to look it up myself."

kaiketsu

solution / resolving

解決できない = "cannot solve."

naruhodo

I see / that makes sense

A natural listening response.

gamen

screen

画面を共有する = to share one's screen.

tasukaru

to be helped / saved

助かります = a warm "that helps."

houkoku

report

Part of 報連相 (report, contact, consult) — core Japanese work etiquette.

renraku

contact / communication

後で連絡します = "I will contact you later."

soudan

consultation

相談する = to consult; asking before deciding is valued.

Grammar

Plain form + のですが

Sets up context before a request: 調べたのですが = "I looked, but…"

Verb te-form + みましょう

Let's try doing: 見てみましょう = "let's take a look."

ちょっと + question

Softens a request: ちょっとよろしいですか.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

Showing you tried first (自分で調べたのですが) before asking is important — it respects the helper's time.

Common mistake

Don't stay silently stuck for hours. Asking after a reasonable attempt is expected, not a failure.

Formality level

Polite. 今ちょっとよろしいですか is the standard, considerate way to interrupt someone.

Quiz

What does "よろしいですか" mean?

What does "詰まる" mean?

What does "調べる" mean?

What does "解決" mean?

What does "なるほど" mean?

What does "画面" mean?

How is the pattern "〜のですが" used?

How is the pattern "〜てみましょう" used?

How is the pattern "〜ちょっと" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

Turn this lesson into flashcards

Save all 10 vocabulary items to your deck and review them later with spaced repetition.