Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Communication
You
ご都合はいかがですか？
ごつごうはいかがですか？
How are you situated? / Would that work for you? (a polite opener that gives the other person room to decline)
Romaji: Gotsugou wa ikaga desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, daijoubu desu. / Sukoshi muzukashii desu ga...
Reply
はい、大丈夫です。 / 少し難しいですが……
はい、だいじょうぶです。 / すこしむずかしいですが……
Yes, that works fine. / That's a bit difficult, but...
Gesture & etiquette
Make soft eye contact when asking, then look away slightly to give the person space to consider. Do not stare while they think — this adds pressure. Nod slowly when they begin to reply.
This open-ended phrase hands the other person full agency to accept or decline gracefully — a key tactic in Japanese communication where direct refusal is avoided. If the reply is hesitant ('a little difficult...'), take it as a no without pressing further. Always offer an easy way out.