Formal to Superior
Workplace · Email
誠に恐れ入りますが、締め切りを少し延ばしていただけますでしょうか？ — I sincerely apologize for the trouble, but could I ask for a small extension on the deadline? (Workplace · Email, Formal to Superior, JLPT N3)
You
誠に恐れ入りますが、締め切りを少し延ばしていただけますでしょうか？
まことにおそれいりますが、しめきりをすこしのばしていただけますでしょうか？
I sincerely apologize for the trouble, but could I ask for a small extension on the deadline?
Romaji: Makoto ni osoreirimas ga, shimekiri wo sukoshi nobashite itadakemasu deshō ka? / Reply Romaji: Wakarimashita. Itsu made itadakemasu ka?
Reply
わかりました。いつまでいただけますか？
わかりました。いつまでいただけますか？
Understood. When would you need until?
Gesture & etiquette
In email: use the subject line '【ご相談】締め切りについて' to signal the topic immediately; keep the body concise (reason, requested date, apology); avoid burying the request at the end — state it clearly in the opening.
誠に恐れ入りますが' is the highest-register apology softener for sensitive requests. Always pair this with a brief, honest reason and a specific proposed new deadline — '3日ほど猶予いただけますか？' (Could I have about 3 more days?). Vague extension requests are harder to approve; a concrete date signals professionalism.