ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (19)
5月6日(水)
Nana, introduced by her boss Clara, has an online meeting with Somchai, the manager of the Bangkok plant.
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• introduce A to B /ˌɪn.trəˈdjuːs/ AをBに紹介する
• introduced by /ˌɪn.trəˈdjuːst baɪ/ ～によって紹介された
• boss /bɔːs/ 上司
• online meeting /ˈɒn.laɪn ˈmiː.tɪŋ/ オンライン会議
• manager /ˈmæn.ɪ.dʒər/ マネージャー、管理者
• Bangkok plant /ˈbæŋ.kɒk plænt/ バンコク工場
• plant /plænt/ 工場（manufacturing plant の意味）
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What's the best way for Nana to identify solutions?
- Seeing the production line directly.
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Good morning, Nana. It's great to talk to you directly.
- Yeah, even though it's online, it makes all the difference. So, could you tell me about your current issues?
- Since the new line started up, we are short on training staff. There are errors creeping up all over the factory, left and right. Every time we stop the line, we suffer losses.
- I see. Did this catch you off guard or did you see this coming?
- Both, but either way, seeing the production line directly will make it easier to identify solutions.
- I see the urgency, so I can get to Bangkok as early as next Wednesday. Please hang in there until then.
- Thank you. Having you will be a great asset.
• start up /stɑːrt ʌp/ 稼働開始する、立ち上がる
• be short on /bi ʃɔːrt ɒn/ ～が不足している
• crop up /krɒp ʌp/ 突然発生する
• catch someone off guard /kætʃ ˈɒf ɡɑːrd/ 不意を突く
• identify /aɪˈden.tɪ.faɪ/ 特定する、見極める
• hang in there /hæŋ ɪn ðer/ 頑張る、踏ん張る
Yes, it means don't give up. Stay strong and keep going. Be patient, things will get better.
• give up /ɡɪv ʌp/ 諦める
• stay strong /steɪ strɔːŋ/ 強くいる、気持ちを保つ
• keep going /kiːp ˈɡoʊ.ɪŋ/ 続ける
• be patient /bi ˈpeɪ.ʃənt/ 辛抱強くいる
• things will get better /θɪŋz wɪl ɡet ˈbet̬.ər/ 状況は良くなる
catch someone off guard不意を突く
- Did this catch you off guard?
- The manager's praise caught me off guard, but it made me happy.
- The increase in tariffs caught many companies off guard.
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- Did this take you off guard?
- Did it just come out of the blue?
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• catch someone off guard /kætʃ ˈɒf ɡɑːrd/ 不意を突く
• take someone off guard /teɪk ˈɒf ɡɑːrd/ 不意を突く（※やや不自然寄り）
• come out of the blue /kʌm aʊt əv ðə bluː/ 突然起こる、青天の霹靂である
• manager's praise /ˈmæn.ɪ.dʒərz preɪz/ 上司からの称賛
• increase in tariffs /ˈɪŋ.kriːs ɪn ˈtær.ɪfs/ 関税引き上げ
• make someone happy /meɪk ˈhæp.i/ 人をうれしくさせる
That was a great discussion and wonderful teamwork. Let's wrap up now before we invent new problems.
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• great discussion /ɡreɪt dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/ 素晴らしい議論
• wonderful teamwork /ˈwʌn.dər.fəl ˈtiːm.wɜːrk/ 素晴らしいチームワーク
• wrap up /ræp ʌp/ 終える、締めくくる
• invent problems /ɪnˈvent ˈprɒb.ləmz/ 問題を作り出す
• before /bɪˈfɔːr/ ～する前に
Thank you, everyone. We survived the agenda, and nobody fell asleep. That's a success. Now, let's finish before the cafeteria runs out of dessert.
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• survive the agenda /sərˈvaɪv ði əˈdʒen.də/ 議題を何とか乗り切る
• fall asleep /fɔːl əˈsliːp/ 寝落ちする、眠ってしまう
• that's a success /ðæts ə səkˈses/ それは成功だ
• finish before ~ /ˈfɪn.ɪʃ bɪˈfɔːr/ ～の前に終える
• cafeteria /ˌkæf.əˈtɪr.i.ə/ 社員食堂、カフェテリア
• run out of /rʌn aʊt əv/ ～がなくなる
• dessert /dɪˈzɜːrt/ デザート
Hannah, apart from Japan, you don't often see participants sleeping during a meeting, do you? That's true. The phenomenon is probably specific to Japan. Sleeping when someone speaks is considered rude in the U.S.
- Well, in fact, it is in Japan too, but we may be a bit more forgiving about it.
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• apart from /əˈpɑːrt frəm/ ～を除けば
• participant /pɑːrˈtɪs.ə.pənt/ 参加者
• sleep during a meeting /sliːp ˈdjʊr.ɪŋ ə ˈmiː.tɪŋ/ 会議中に寝る
• phenomenon /fəˈnɒm.ə.nɒn/ 現象
• specific to /spəˈsɪf.ɪk tuː/ ～特有の
• be considered rude /bi kənˈsɪd.ərd ruːd/ 失礼だと見なされる
• forgiving about /fərˈɡɪv.ɪŋ əˈbaʊt/ ～に寛容である
• in fact /ɪn fækt/ 実際には
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (18)
5月5日(火)
So, it's down to the business.
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Following the conversation about the workplace, Nana is assigned to a new project connected to Southeast Asia.
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Which country is a priority?
-Thailand is a priority.
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Now that you've adjusted well, I think you're ready to take a bigger challenge. Considering error rates, our factories in Thailand and Indonesia both need assistance in quality control.
- I see. Which one should we focus on first?
- I think Thailand is a priority. Indonesia may be a quick fix, but Thailand will take more time and effort. Frankfurt headquarters says, the faster the result, the better it looks to shareholders. However, the Bangkok factory is essential to a regional supply chain.
- Understood. So, where shall I start?
- Please contact Somchai, the factory manager. He's a laid-back guy. I'll introduce you.
- A laid-back factory manager? Sounds refreshing. After our e-meet, I'll learn more about the situation from him.
- Excellent. Nana, this is your chance to stand out.
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• take on /teɪk ɑːn/ 引き受ける・責任を持つ
• quick fix /kwɪk ˈfɪks/ 応急処置・一時的な解決
• shared folder /ʃɛrd ˈfoʊldər/ 共有フォルダ（※shareよりこちらが自然）
• essential /ɪˈsɛnʃəl/ 不可欠な
• lay back /leɪ bæk/ 身を倒す・横になる（※注意あり）
• laid-back /ˈleɪd bæk/ のんびりした・リラックスした（形容詞）
• e-meet /ˈiː miːt/ オンラインで初めて会う
This word is used when meeting someone for the first time virtually, instead of in person, especially on emails, online chat, or video calls.
• virtually /ˈvɜːrtʃuəli/ オンライン上で
- This is your chance to stand out.
- I think bright colors will help your slides stand out.
- This candidate's experience stood out.
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• stand out /stænd aʊt/ 目立つ・際立つ
• chance /ʧæns/ 機会・チャンス
• bright colors /braɪt ˈkʌlərz/ 明るい色
• slide /slaɪd/（プレゼンの）スライド
• help ~ stand out /hɛlp ~ stænd aʊt/ ～が目立つのを助ける
• candidate /ˈkændɪdeɪt/ 候補者
• experience /ɪkˈspɪriəns/ 経験
- This is your moment to shine.
- Here's your opportunity to make a mark.
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• moment to shine /ˈmoʊmənt tə ʃaɪn/ 輝く瞬間・活躍の場
• shine /ʃaɪn/ 輝く・才能を発揮する
• opportunity /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/ 機会
• make a mark /meɪk ə mɑːrk/ 印象を残す・成果を出す
• here’s ~ /hɪrz/ ここに～がある（提示）
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Don't be shy, this isn't a test. The only wrong answer today is silence.
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• I’d love to hear ~ /aɪd lʌv tə hɪr/ ～をぜひ聞きたい（やわらかい依頼）
• your thoughts /jʊər θɔːts/ あなたの考え・意見
• don’t be shy /doʊnt bi ʃaɪ/ 遠慮しないで・恥ずかしがらないで
• this isn’t a test /ðɪs ˈɪzənt ə tɛst/ これはテストではない
• the only wrong answer /ði ˈoʊnli rɔːŋ ˈænsər/ 唯一の間違いの答え
• silence /ˈsaɪləns/ 沈黙
Remember, this is brainstorming. The crazier the idea, the better. Even the greatest symphonies started with messy.
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• remember /rɪˈmɛmbər/ 覚えておいて
• brainstorming /ˈbreɪnˌstɔːrmɪŋ/ ブレインストーミング（自由に発想を出す）
• the crazier ~, the better /ðə ˈkreɪziər, ðə ˈbɛtər/ ～であればあるほどよい
• idea /aɪˈdɪə/ アイデア
• symphony /ˈsɪmfəni/ 交響曲
• messy /ˈmɛsi/ 雑然とした・まとまっていない
• start with ~ /stɑːrt wɪð/ ～から始まる
Hannah, can you think of some alternative last lines you can swap in?
- Oh, well, you can swap in something about painting or novels, like, even the greatest painters sketched rough lines before their masterpieces.
For instance, even the greatest novels started as scattered ideas.
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• something about ~ /ˈsʌmθɪŋ əˈbaʊt/ ～に関する内容
• painter /ˈpeɪntər/ 画家
• sketch rough lines /skɛtʃ rʌf laɪnz/ ラフな線を描く
• masterpiece /ˈmæstərˌpiːs/ 傑作
• for instance /fər ˈɪnstəns/ 例えば
• scattered ideas /ˈskætərd aɪˈdɪəz/ 断片的なアイデア
• start as ~ /stɑːrt æz/ ～として始まる
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson (17)
5月4日(月)
Yanagida Nana, who had worked as an engineer at a major electronic components manufacturer, has now been with the German company LichTech for one month. She's having a meeting with her boss, Clare Weber.
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• had worked as ~ /hæd ˈwɜːrkt æz/ ～として働いていた（過去完了）
• engineer /ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪr/ エンジニア
• major electronic components manufacturer /ˈmeɪdʒər ɪˌlɛkˈtrɑːnɪk kəmˈpoʊnənts ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərər/ 大手電子部品メーカー
• manufacturer /ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərər/ 製造会社・メーカー
• has now been with ~ /hæz naʊ bɪn wɪð/ 現在～に在籍している
• for one month /fɔːr wʌn mʌnθ/ 1か月間
• German company /ˈʤɜːrmən ˈkʌmpəni/ ドイツ企業
• have a meeting with ~ /hæv ə ˈmiːtɪŋ wɪð/ ～と会議をする
• boss /bɔːs/ 上司
• be having a meeting /bi ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈmiːtɪŋ/ 会議をしているところ
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Why does Nana feel motivated?
- Because people have been so welcoming.
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It's hard to believe it's already a month since I started. How time flies.
- You seem to have settled in well. How are you finding life at LichTech?
- It's been challenging, but rewarding. Our Japan office being the Asian hub means I get to work with colleagues across Asian group companies. It's like having a crash course in international teamwork every day.
- That's great to hear. Many new hires feel overwhelmed at this stage. I completely understand. Honestly, I even get lost in the building sometimes. But I feel motivated because people have been so welcoming.
- That's great. We want you to feel supported. And it's wonderful to see your positive energy.
- Thank you. I'm really happy to be here.
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• settle in /ˈsetl ɪn/ 新しい環境に慣れる・落ち着く
• challenging /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/ 難しいがやりがいのある
• overwhelmed /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/（語尾 d は弱く） 圧倒される・手に負えないと感じる
Overwhelmed is used in sentences like, I feel overwhelmed by the amount of work.
• be overwhelmed by ~ /bi ˌoʊvərˈwelmd baɪ/ ～に圧倒される
• the amount of ~ /ði əˈmaʊnt əv/ ～の量
• feel overwhelmed /fiːl ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/ 圧倒されていると感じる
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It's been challenging, but rewarding.
Participating in volunteer activities to clean up the town is very rewarding.
Teaching children is a very rewarding job.
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challenging → not easy, requires effort
rewarding → worth it, gives satisfaction or growth
• it’s been ~ /ɪts bɪn/ ～が続いている（現在完了）
• challenging /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/ 大変だがやりがいのある
• rewarding /rɪˈwɔːrdɪŋ/ やりがいがある・報われる
• participate in ~ /pɑːrˈtɪsəpeɪt ɪn/ ～に参加する
• volunteer activities /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr ækˈtɪvɪtiz/ ボランティア活動
• clean up ~ /kliːn ʌp/ ～をきれいにする
• the town /ðə taʊn/ 町
• teaching children /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ ˈtʃɪldrən/ 子どもに教えること
• job /ʤɑːb/ 仕事
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It was tough, but worth it.
It was a struggle, but satisfying.
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• tough /tʌf/ 大変な・きつい
• worth it /wɜːrθ ɪt/ その価値がある
• struggle /ˈstrʌɡl/ 苦労・奮闘
• satisfying /ˈsætɪsfaɪɪŋ/ 満足感のある
• it was ~, but ~ /ɪt wəz ~ bət ~/ ～だったが〜だった（対比）
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Thank you for coming on time. Let's keep the agenda as punctual as you all were this morning.
Good morning, everyone. Thanks for being here on time. Don't worry, this meeting will be way shorter than the train delay you battled through this morning.
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• come on time /kʌm ɑːn taɪm/ 時間どおりに来る
• keep ~ punctual /kiːp ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/ ～を時間どおりに保つ
• agenda /əˈdʒendə/ 議題・アジェンダ
• as ~ as ... /æz ~ æz/ ～と同じくらい…
• this morning /ðɪs ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ 今朝
• be here on time /bi hɪr ɑːn taɪm/ 時間どおりに来ている
• don’t worry /doʊnt ˈwɜːri/ 心配しないで
• way shorter /weɪ ˈʃɔːrtər/ ずっと短い（強調）
• train delay /treɪn dɪˈleɪ/ 電車の遅延
• battle through /ˈbætl θruː/ 苦労して乗り越える
Hannah, can you think of some alternative last line you can swap in?
- For instance, by the time the office Wi-Fi connects us to the system, we'll already have wrapped up this meeting.
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• by the time ~ /baɪ ðə taɪm/ ～する頃には
• connect A to B /kəˈnekt A tuː B/ AをBに接続する
• wrap up /ræp ʌp/ 終える・締めくくる
• already /ɔːlˈredi/ すでに
• meeting /ˈmiːtɪŋ/ 会議
• “Wi-Fi connects us”
• “wrap up a meeting”