職場で使える英語表現を毎週ご紹介するシリーズ
Weekly Workplace Word Wisdom(W.W.W.W.)
第35回の今回は、Making Requests in English、
職場で頼み事をしたいときに使える表現を
Eric講師がご紹介いたします。
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Making requests is a necessary part of any company or business relationship. Whether you are asking a coworker to proofread your email or asking a client to set aside time to meet with you, it is important that the language you use be appropriate and increase the chances that the person you ask will honor your request.
That doesn’t mean you have to be extremely formal in every situation. Depending on the person you are making a request of, the language you use may range from very casual to very polite. For example, asking a co-worker who you have known for many years and consider a friend to call you would require much more casual language than asking your boss or your client to meet with you regarding a contract problem.
Of course it is safer to be too polite than too casual. However, keep in mind that in the West, coworkers are much more direct and relaxed with one another in the office. Failing to be casual enough when making requests might give your coworkers the impression that you are cold or not interested in forming a close bond with the rest of the group. So pay close attention to the language people use when they ask you to do things. This will give you a good clue about how polite you should be in return.
Here is some useful language for making requests:
Can you…? (informal)
-Joe, can you please send me a copy of the meeting minutes? Thanks.
-Can you check this report before I print it out?
Would you mind…? (informal)
-Karen, would you mind sitting in on this interview?
-Would you mind giving the toast at the party tonight?
Could you…? (polite)
-I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you. Could you please repeat that?
-Could you please have him call me when he gets back to the office? Thank you.
Would you…? (polite)
-Would you please come by the office sometime this week so we can finalize the paperwork?
-Would you go through your proposal once more for everyone?
Now here are some phrases to use when agreeing and disagreeing to a request:
-Sure, no problem.
-Certainly, I’ll do it right away.
-I’d be happy to.
-Sorry, I can’t because…
-I’m afraid I won’t be able to.
-I’d like to, but unfortunately...
When you become comfortable making and responding to requests, you will be more effective and have a stronger relationship with your coworkers which will lead to a more enjoyable and rewarding work experience. Good Luck!
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＜本日の単語＞
proofread 【動】校正する
contract 【名】〔公式文書による〕契約、規約、協定、約定（書）
minutes 【名】議事録、記録
＜本日のイディオム＞
honor a request 要望に従う、要請を受け入れる
set aside 〔時間・金などを特定の用途のために〕残しておく、確保する、取っておく
range from ～ to ～から…に及ぶ、～から…へと多岐にわたる
one another お互い
form a close bond with ～と非常に緊密［親密］なきずなを築く
sit in on 参観する、傍聴する
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英語には敬語が無いの？という質問もよく聞きますが
日本の敬語のように
謙譲語や尊敬語を使い分けたりするような
言葉遣いが無い代わり、
状況や相手に応じてpoliteになること、
つまり、丁寧な表現にすることが
とても重要だそうです。
Eric講師のアドバイス
"So pay close attention to the language people use when they ask you to do things."
を参考にして、
上司や取引先に失礼の無いように、
同僚に妙によそよそしく対応してしまわないように、
ビジネスマナーに適した英語表現を使い分けたいですね。
事務局・山口
Business Resultシリーズに興味があるけど、
英会話の学習を続けてみたいけど、
現在の自分のビジネス英会話レベルを知りたい
「TOEICが380点から730点に！」
「TOEICが730点から930点に！」
言葉に関係なく交渉が苦手なので、うまく交渉するスキルを身につけたい
英語での交渉ではいつも自分の言い分を上手に伝えられず、ストレスを感じる
英語での交渉で失敗したことがある
英語での交渉を控えており、かなり緊張している
英語で交渉しなければならなくなった時のために、今から備えておきたい