New here? This is lesson 214 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
Run the meeting in Japanese
Mori-san hands Leo the chair's role for a short puzzle-game meeting at the Ueno office.
He needs to open clearly, keep three points in view, invite final additions, and leave everyone knowing what was decided.
After his morning walk from Yanaka, this is a different kind of confidence test.
You will guide the discussion from its first invitation to the minutes shared afterwards.
By the end of this lesson
Chair a short work meeting and summarize its decisions before closing on time.
- そろそろ始めましょうか。Shall we get started?
- 今日は三点、確認したいです。I'd like to confirm three things today.
- では、進捗からお願いします。Let's start with the progress updates.
- ほかに補足はありますか。Does anyone have anything to add?
- 今日の結論をまとめます。I'll sum up today's conclusions.
- 議事録は後で共有します。I'll share the minutes afterwards.
Scene — ten minutes on the clock
At the Ueno office, Leo puts his bag beside the meeting table. Mori-san has set aside ten minutes to settle three points about the puzzle game.
The clock is in Leo's direct line of sight. Today he controls the agenda, checks the decisions, and brings the meeting to a close.
Learn — take the chair
These six lines give your meeting a clear beginning, an orderly discussion, and a useful summary.
Notice how each one signals what everyone should do next.
そろそろ始めましょうか。
Shall we get started?
When to use it: Use this when everyone is ready and you want to bring the meeting to order.
The question ending softens your invitation to begin.
今日は三点、確認したいです。
I'd like to confirm three things today.
When to use it: Use this near the opening to tell participants how many points you intend to cover.
The counter here counts discussion points rather than people.
では、進捗からお願いします。
Let's start with the progress updates.
When to use it: Use this to hand over the floor for the first agenda item.
The particle after progress marks it as the starting point in the sequence.
ほかに補足はありますか。
Does anyone have anything to add?
When to use it: Ask this before summarizing so participants can add anything still missing.
This asks for additions to what has already been said.
今日の結論をまとめます。
I'll sum up today's conclusions.
When to use it: Use this to signal that you are about to recap the decisions.
The object particle marks the conclusions as what you will summarize.
議事録は後で共有します。
I'll share the minutes afterwards.
When to use it: Use this at the end to explain how participants will receive the written record.
The time phrase places sharing after the meeting.
Say it: Keep both long vowels in the word for sharing fully lengthened.
Story — three points, nine minutes
Mori-san gives Leo ten minutes and lets him lead the discussion.
Follow how he moves through three points, checks for additions, and turns the conversation into clear decisions.
- Leo opens his notes. Mori-san turns her tablet toward him.
Mori-sanレオさん、今日は進行をお願いします。十分で終わりましょう。Leo, please chair today. Let's finish in ten minutes.
Leoそろそろ始めましょうか。Shall we get started?- Mori-sanはい、お願いします。Yes, please.
- Leo今日は三点、確認したいです。I'd like to confirm three things today.
- Leo進捗と、ヒントの文言と、提出日です。Progress, the hint wording, and the submission date.
- Leoでは、進捗からお願いします。Let's start with the progress updates.
- Mori-san翻訳は終わりました。残っているのは、ヒントの確認だけです。The translation is finished. Only the hint check remains.
- Leo次に進みましょう。ヒントは、この短い案でいいですか。Let's move on. Shall we use this shorter version for the hint?
- Mori-sanええ、その案なら画面に収まりますね。Yes, that version will fit on the screen.
- Leoでは、この案にします。提出は金曜日で大丈夫ですか。Then we'll use this version. Is Friday all right for submission?
- Mori-sanはい。私が木曜日に最終確認します。Yes. I'll do the final check on Thursday.
- Leoほかに補足はありますか。Does anyone have anything to add?
- Mori-san一つだけ。議事録に、確認する人も書いてください。Just one thing. Please also record who will do the check in the minutes.
- Leoわかりました。森さんが最終確認ですね。Understood. You're doing the final check, Mori-san.
- Mori-sanはい、それで大丈夫です。Yes, that's right.
- Leo今日の結論をまとめます。I'll sum up today's conclusions.
- Leoヒントは短い案にします。最終確認は森さんが木曜日に、提出は金曜日です。We'll use the shorter hint. Mori-san will do the final check on Thursday, and submission is Friday.
- Mori-sanはい、合っています。Yes, that's correct.
- Leo議事録は後で共有します。I'll share the minutes afterwards.
- Leo今日はここまでにしましょう。Let's leave it here for today.
- Mori-san checks the clock. Nine minutes have passed.
- Mori-san一分余りましたね。ありがとうございます。We have a minute to spare. Thank you.
Practice — guide the discussion
Work through ten tasks that follow the chair's responsibilities, from opening the meeting to sharing its record.
Listen carefully, arrange the words, and choose language that fits each stage.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What do you say?
What do you say?
You are chairing and have exactly three agenda points to confirm; announce that scope to the participants.
Build the line
Build the line
Let's start with the progress updates.
、。
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Mori-san says:
Pick the reply
私からは以上です。まとめる前に、皆さんに補足がないか聞いてください。
That's all from me. Before summarizing, please ask everyone whether they have anything to add.
And you reply with:
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I'll sum up today's conclusions.
今日の結論____まとめます。
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
議事録は後で共有します。
Build the line
Build the line
I'll share the minutes afterwards.
。
Tap the words in order.
True or false?
True or false?
The chair is ending the meeting for today.
What do you say?
What do you say?
All three points are settled and the summary is confirmed; close the meeting for today.
Match the pairs
Japanese
そろそろ始めましょうか。Drop the English hereほかに補足はありますか。Drop the English here今日の結論をまとめます。Drop the English hereEnglish
Say it — the meeting is yours
Take Leo's role and lead the meeting through its main stages using six different lines.
Record each response after reading the cue, then listen back for clear phrasing and a steady pace.
- Mori-san全員そろいました。レオさん、お願いします。Everyone is here. Leo, over to you.
- Leo (you)Invite everyone to get started.
Invite everyone to get started.
そろそろ始めましょうか。
Shall we get started?
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| そろそろ始めましょうか。 | Shall we get started? | |
| 今日は三点、確認したいです。 | I'd like to confirm three things today. | |
| では、進捗からお願いします。 | Let's start with the progress updates. | |
| ほかに補足はありますか。 | Does anyone have anything to add? | |
| 今日の結論をまとめます。 | I'll sum up today's conclusions. | |
| 議事録は後で共有します。 | I'll share the minutes afterwards. |
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Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Rehearse these chairing lines with Yak Cards before your next meeting.
Practice the sequence from opening to summary so each transition comes readily when you lead.
Open Yak Cards