Hi — ready for some natural office chit-chat? This short lesson helps you connect with coworkers during breaks, before meetings, or when the week feels long. Practice listening, repeating, and using these friendly phrases.
Level B1: In Lesson 124 you'll practice polite, everyday small talk at work. We'll focus on asking about someone's day or weekend, offering to grab coffee, suggesting a short break, and talking about being busy or getting used to things. This CEFR-aligned mini-pack helps you move from simple greetings to real coworker conversation.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Ask and respond about someone's day and weekend using polite phrases.
Offer to get something (like coffee) and suggest a short break.
Comment about being busy and explain you're still adjusting to something.
Use the lesson phrases naturally in a short workplace dialogue (Level B1).
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
今日の調子はどうですか？
Kyō no chōshi wa dō desu ka?
How's your day going so far?
Meaning: How's your day going so far?
When to use: Use this as a light check-in with a coworker during the day. For casual speech among close teammates you can say 「今日どう？」.
Tip: Avoid mixing casual and polite forms (e.g., saying 私は元気？ with です/ます). Use polite or casual consistently.
今日の調子はどうですか？朝から忙しいですか？
Kyō no chōshi wa dō desu ka? Asa kara isogashii desu ka?
How's your day? Have you been busy since morning?
今日の調子はどうですか？何か手伝いましょうか？
Kyō no chōshi wa dō desu ka? Nanika tetsudai mashō ka?
How's your day? Shall I help with anything?
週末はどうでしたか？
Shūmatsu wa dō deshita ka?
How was your weekend?
Meaning: How was your weekend?
When to use: Use this on Monday or when you see a coworker after the weekend to open friendly conversation.
週末はどうでしたか？どこか行きましたか？
Shūmatsu wa dō deshita ka? Doko ka ikimashita ka?
How was your weekend? Did you go anywhere?
週末はどうでしたか？ゆっくりできましたか？
Shūmatsu wa dō deshita ka? Yukkuri dekimashita ka?
How was your weekend? Were you able to relax?
週末、何か楽しいことしましたか？
Shūmatsu, nanika tanoshii koto shimashita ka?
Did you do anything fun over the weekend?
Meaning: Did you do anything fun over the weekend?
When to use: Use this to invite a longer story about someone’s weekend activities. In conversation people often say 「週末、何か楽しいことした？」 in casual speech.
週末、何か楽しいことしましたか？映画を見ましたか？
Shūmatsu, nanika tanoshii koto shimashita ka? Eiga o mimashita ka?
Did you do anything fun this weekend? Did you watch a movie?
週末、何か楽しいことしましたか？新しいカフェに行ったよ。
Shūmatsu, nanika tanoshii koto shimashita ka? Atarashii kafe ni itta yo.
Did you do anything fun? I went to a new café.
今日は忙しいですけど、なんとかやっています。
Kyō wa isogashii desu kedo, nantoka yatte imasu.
It's been a busy day, but it's going okay.
Meaning: It's been a busy day, but it's going okay.
When to use: Use this as a brief, honest reply when someone asks how your day is going.
今日は忙しいですけど、なんとかやっています。午後には落ち着くはずです。
Kyō wa isogashii desu kedo, nantoka yatte imasu. Gogo ni wa ochitsuku hazu desu.
It's busy today, but I'm managing. It should calm down this afternoon.
今日は忙しいですけど、なんとかやっています。ありがとうございます。
Kyō wa isogashii desu kedo, nantoka yatte imasu. Arigatō gozaimasu.
It's busy but I'm getting by. Thanks.
今日はけっこう忙しいですね。
Kyō wa kekkō isogashii desu ne.
It's pretty busy today, isn't it?
Meaning: It's pretty busy today, isn't it?
When to use: Use this to comment on a shared busy situation and invite agreement from a coworker.
今日はけっこう忙しいですね。ミーティングが重なってますね。
Kyō wa kekkō isogashii desu ne. Mītingu ga kasanattemasu ne.
It's pretty busy today. Meetings are overlapping.
今日はけっこう忙しいですね。休憩は午後に取りましょうか？
Kyō wa kekkō isogashii desu ne. Kyūkei wa gogo ni torimashō ka?
It's busy today. Shall we take a break this afternoon?
コーヒーを買いに行くんですが、何か買ってきましょうか？
Kōhī o kai ni iku n desu ga, nanika katte kimashō ka?
I'm going to grab coffee. Do you want anything?
Meaning: I'm going to grab coffee. Do you want anything?
When to use: Use this when you're taking a short break and offering to bring something back for others in a polite way.
コーヒーを買いに行くんですが、何か買ってきましょうか？カフェラテにしますか？
Kōhī o kai ni iku n desu ga, nanika katte kimashō ka? Kafe rate ni shimasu ka?
I'm going to get coffee. Want me to bring something? Would you like a café latte?
コーヒーを買いに行くんですが、何か買ってきましょうか？お茶でもいいですか？
Kōhī o kai ni iku n desu ga, nanika katte kimashō ka? Ocha demo ii desu ka?
I'm grabbing coffee; should I pick something up? Is tea okay?
ちょっと休憩しませんか？
Chotto kyūkei shimasen ka?
Do you want to take a quick break?
Meaning: Do you want to take a quick break?
When to use: Use this to invite a coworker to step away from work for a short rest; 「ちょっと」で軽く誘います。
ちょっと休憩しませんか？窓のそばでコーヒーを飲みましょう。
Chotto kyūkei shimasen ka? Mado no soba de kōhī o nomimashō.
Do you want a quick break? Let's drink coffee by the window.
ちょっと休憩しませんか？リフレッシュになりますよ。
Chotto kyūkei shimasen ka? Rifureshu ni narimasu yo.
Shall we take a short break? It will be refreshing.
仕事の後、何か予定がありますか？
Shigoto no ato, nanika yotei ga arimasu ka?
Do you have any plans after work?
Meaning: Do you have any plans after work?
When to use: Use this to ask casually about after-work plans without being too personal.
仕事の後、何か予定がありますか？一緒に夕食どうですか？
Shigoto no ato, nanika yotei ga arimasu ka? Issho ni yūshoku dō desu ka?
Any plans after work? How about dinner together?
仕事の後、何か予定がありますか？もし空いてたら飲みに行きましょう。
Shigoto no ato, nanika yotei ga arimasu ka? Moshi aitetara nomi ni ikimashō.
Do you have plans after work? If free, let's go for drinks.
もう金曜日なんですね。早いですね。
Mō kin'yōbi nan desu ne. Hayai desu ne.
I can't believe it's already Friday.
Meaning: I can't believe it's already Friday.
When to use: Use this to share a light comment about time passing, often on a Friday or toward the end of the week.
もう金曜日なんですね。早いですね。今週もお疲れさまです。
Mō kin'yōbi nan desu ne. Hayai desu ne. Konshū mo otsukare sama desu.
It's already Friday — time flew. Thanks for your hard work this week.
もう金曜日なんですね。早いですね。週末の予定は？
Mō kin'yōbi nan desu ne. Hayai desu ne. Shūmatsu no yotei wa?
Already Friday — so fast. Any weekend plans?
___にはまだ慣れていないんです。
___ ni wa mada narete inai n desu.
I'm still getting used to ___.
Meaning: I'm still getting used to ___.
When to use: Use this to mention you're adjusting to a new routine, tool, or role. Put a noun in the blank (e.g., 新しいシステムにはまだ慣れていないんです).
Tip: Be careful with particles: use 「に」 after the thing you are getting used to (e.g., 新しいプロジェクトに).
新しいシステムにはまだ慣れていないんです。少し時間がかかりそうです。
Atarashii shisutemu ni wa mada narete inai n desu. Sukoshi jikan ga kakari sō desu.
I'm still getting used to the new system. It might take a little time.
朝のルーティンにはまだ慣れていないんです。もう少し練習します。
Asa no rūtin ni wa mada narete inai n desu. Mō sukoshi renshū shimasu.
I'm still getting used to the morning routine. I'll practice a bit more.
ここで働いて長いんですか。
Koko de hataraite nagai n desu ka.
Have you worked here long?
Meaning: Have you worked here long?
When to use: Use this to ask a coworker about their time at the company in a friendly, polite way.
ここで働いて長いんですか。何年くらいですか？
Koko de hataraite nagai n desu ka. Nan nen kurai desu ka?
Have you been working here long? About how many years?
ここで働いて長いんですか。職場の雰囲気はいいですね。
Koko de hataraite nagai n desu ka. Shokuba no fun'iki wa ii desu ne.
Have you worked here long? The workplace atmosphere is nice.
お昼はいつもどうしていますか。
Ohiru wa itsumo dō shite imasu ka.
What do you usually do for lunch?
Meaning: What do you usually do for lunch?
When to use: Use this to ask about someone’s lunch habits—bringing a bento, going out, or ordering in.
お昼はいつもどうしていますか。外に食べに行きますか？
Ohiru wa itsumo dō shite imasu ka. Soto ni tabe ni ikimasu ka?
What do you usually do for lunch? Do you go out to eat?
お昼はいつもどうしていますか。近くにお弁当屋さんがありますよ。
Ohiru wa itsumo dō shite imasu ka. Chikaku ni obentō-ya san ga arimasu yo.
What do you usually do for lunch? There's a bento shop nearby.
この辺で___がおいしいお店、知ってますか？
Kono hen de ___ ga oishii omise, shitte masu ka?
Do you know a good place to get ___ around here?
Meaning: Do you know a good place to get ___ around here?
When to use: Use this to ask casually for local food recommendations by inserting a food item into the blank (e.g., ラーメンがおいしいお店).
Tip: Remember to use 「が」 after the food item (e.g., 寿司が) rather than 「は」 in this structure.
この辺でラーメンがおいしいお店、知ってますか？おすすめはありますか？
Kono hen de rāmen ga oishii omise, shitte masu ka? Osusume wa arimasu ka?
Do you know a good ramen place around here? Any recommendations?
この辺でランチがおいしいお店、知ってますか？安くて早いところが良いです。
Kono hen de ranchi ga oishii omise, shitte masu ka? Yasukute hayai tokoro ga ii desu.
Do you know a good lunch spot nearby? I want something cheap and quick.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna bumps into David at the coffee machine on a busy Friday morning.
What do they decide to do together?
Anna
今日の調子はどうですか？
Kyō no chōshi wa dō desu ka?
How's your day going so far?
David
今日はけっこう忙しいですね。なんとかやっています。
Kyō wa kekkō isogashii desu ne. Nantoka yatte imasu.
It's pretty busy today. I'm managing somehow.
Anna
ちょっと休憩しませんか？コーヒーを買いに行くんですが、何か買ってきましょうか？
Chotto kyūkei shimasen ka? Kōhī o kai ni iku n desu ga, nanika katte kimashō ka?
Shall we take a short break? I'm going to get coffee—want me to bring you something?
David
いいですね。お昼はいつもどうしていますか？終わったら一緒に行きませんか？
Ii desu ne. Ohiru wa itsumo dō shite imasu ka? Owattara issho ni ikimasen ka?
Sounds good. What do you usually do for lunch? Want to go together after we're done?
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase asks 'How was your weekend?'
Which phrase offers to bring something back from the store or café?
Which phrase asks 'Do you have any plans after work?'
Which phrase means 'I'm still getting used to ___'?
On Monday I want to start conversation by asking a coworker, 'How was your weekend?'
月曜日、同僚に "___" と聞いて会話を始めたい。
Getsuyōbi, dōryō ni "___" to kiite kaiwa o hajimetai.
When going to buy coffee it's kind to say, 'I'm going to get coffee — do you want anything?'
コーヒーを買いに行く時、相手に "___" と言っておくと親切です。
Kōhī o kai ni iku toki, aite ni "___" to itte oku to shinsetsu desu.
I told my coworker, 'I'm still getting used to ___' about the new software.
新しいソフトウェアについて、私は "___" と同僚に説明しました。
Atarashii sofutowea ni tsuite, watashi wa "___" to dōryō ni setsumei shimashita.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
今日の調子はどうですか？
Kyō no chōshi wa dō desu ka?
How's your day going so far?
Say this phrase out loud:
週末はどうでしたか？
Shūmatsu wa dō deshita ka?
How was your weekend?
Say this phrase out loud:
週末、何か楽しいことしましたか？
Shūmatsu, nanika tanoshii koto shimashita ka?
Did you do anything fun over the weekend?
Say this phrase out loud:
今日は忙しいですけど、なんとかやっています。
Kyō wa isogashii desu kedo, nantoka yatte imasu.
It's been a busy day, but it's going okay.
Say this phrase out loud:
今日はけっこう忙しいですね。
Kyō wa kekkō isogashii desu ne.
It's pretty busy today, isn't it?
Say this phrase out loud:
コーヒーを買いに行くんですが、何か買ってきましょうか？
Kōhī o kai ni iku n desu ga, nanika katte kimashō ka?
