New here? This is lesson 210 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
Taking a day off in Japanese
Leo has a practical problem at work: a plumber is coming to his Yanaka apartment next Tuesday. He needs to ask Mori-san for the day off.
He plans to finish the remaining game text today and has already spoken with a colleague. Mori-san needs to know how the work will be covered.
Learn a softened request, give the date and reason, and explain your handover. This is a clear workplace conversation, not a casual chat.
By the end of this lesson
Ask your team lead for a day off and explain why.
- 休みを取りたいんですが。I'd like to take a day off.
- 来週の火曜日に用事があります。I have something next Tuesday.
- 残りの分は今日中に出します。I'll turn in the rest today.
- いない間はだれが見ますか。Who will cover while I'm away?
- 本当に助かります。That really helps.
- 同僚にはもう話しました。I've already told my colleague.
Scene — a workday request
At the Ueno office, Leo checks the game text before speaking with Mori-san. A plumber is expected at his Yanaka apartment next Tuesday.
Leo wants to finish the remaining text today. He has already told a colleague, but needs Mori-san's approval and a clear coverage plan.
Learn — ask Mori-san
These six lines help you ask for leave, explain when and why you need it, and describe your work plan.
They keep the request polite and specific.
休みを取りたいんですが。
I'd like to take a day off.
When to use it: Use this to make a polite, softened request for time off.
んですが softens the request and leaves room for the other person to respond.
Say it: Give ん its own beat before です; do not swallow it.
来週の火曜日に用事があります。
I have something next Tuesday.
When to use it: Use this to give the day you have a personal commitment.
に marks Tuesday as the time when your commitment is scheduled.
Say it: Hold the long vowel in 火曜日; keep the よう sound long.
残りの分は今日中に出します。
I'll turn in the rest today.
When to use it: Use this to reassure your lead about work you will finish before leaving.
今日中 means by the end of today, not simply sometime today.
Say it: Keep the long vowel in 今日; avoid compressing it.
いない間はだれが見ますか。
Who will cover while I'm away?
When to use it: Use this to ask who will look after your work during your absence.
間は frames the time you will be away; だれが asks which person will handle it.
Say it: The u in 見ます is very light; do not add a full extra beat.
本当に助かります。
That really helps.
When to use it: Use this to warmly acknowledge someone's help or agreement.
本当に adds emphasis to your thanks for practical help.
Say it: Hold the long vowel in 本当; do not shorten it.
同僚にはもう話しました。
I've already told my colleague.
When to use it: Use this to confirm that you have already informed a colleague.
もう signals that you have done this already.
Say it: Hold the long vowels in 同僚; both どう and りょう are long.
Story — the handover plan
Leo catches Mori-san between tasks and asks for Tuesday off. They talk through the plumber, the game text, and who can cover his work.
Highlighted phrases are the lesson lines. Turn on Show English if you want a gloss.
Moriお疲れさまです。Thanks for your work today.
Leoお疲れさまです。ちょっといいですか。Thanks for your work today. Do you have a moment?- Moriはい、どうしましたか。Sure. What's up?
- Leo休みを取りたいんですが。I'd like to take a day off.
- Moriいつですか。When?
- Leo来週の火曜日に用事があります。I have something next Tuesday.
- Leo家の水道の修理です。It's for a repair to my home's plumbing.
- Mori同僚にはもう話しましたか。Have you already told your colleague?
- Leo同僚にはもう話しました。I've already told my colleague.
- Leoいない間はだれが見ますか。Who will cover while I'm away?
- Mori佐藤さんにお願いできます。You can ask Sato-san.
- Mori残りの分はどうしますか。What will you do with the rest?
- Leo残りの分は今日中に出します。I'll turn in the rest today.
- Moriそれなら大丈夫そうですね。In that case, that should be fine.
- Leo本当に助かります。That really helps.
Practice — make the request clear
Listen for the request, choose what fits the situation, and build or repair a line.
You will also practise asking who can cover while you are away.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What do you say?
What do you say?
Mori-san asks when you need time off. Say that you have a commitment next Tuesday.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I have something next Tuesday.
来週の火曜日____用事があります。
Pick the reply
Mori says:
Pick the reply
残りの分はいつ出せますか。
When can you turn in the rest?
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
You will be away Tuesday and want to ask Mori-san who will look after your work.
Build the line
Build the line
I'd like to take a day off.
。
Tap the words in order.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You want to say you already told your colleague. Replace the verb.
同僚にはもう____。
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
本当に助かります。
What do you say?
What do you say?
You need to interrupt Mori-san politely to ask for a moment.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You arrive at the office and greet Mori-san politely before discussing work.
Say it — talk through your plan
Imagine you are speaking with Mori-san at the Ueno office. Take your turn when prompted and say each line aloud.
Listen first if you like, then practise the request, date, coverage question, and handover.
- Moriお疲れさまです。Thanks for your work today.
- Leo (you)Ask politely for a day off.
Ask politely for a day off.
休みを取りたいんですが。
I'd like to take a day off.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 休みを取りたいんですが。 | I'd like to take a day off. | |
| 来週の火曜日に用事があります。 | I have something next Tuesday. | |
| 残りの分は今日中に出します。 | I'll turn in the rest today. | |
| いない間はだれが見ますか。 | Who will cover while I'm away? | |
| 本当に助かります。 | That really helps. | |
| 同僚にはもう話しました。 | I've already told my colleague. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Save the request and handover lines in your review set. Open the Yak Cards to practise them again later.
A quick review helps you make a clear, polite request at work.
Open Yak Cards