Polite to Colleague
Workplace · Greeting
You
お先に失礼いたします。
おさきにしつれいいたします。
I'll be heading out before you. (Excuse me for leaving first.)
Romaji: O-saki ni shitsurei itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: O-tsukare sama deshita.
Reply
お疲れ様でした。
おつかれさまでした。
Thank you for your hard work today.
Gesture & etiquette
A brief bow (about 10-15 degrees) toward the room is appropriate. Make eye contact with your direct supervisor first before leaving — a subtle acknowledgment that you have their implicit permission to leave.
This phrase is said when leaving the office while colleagues are still working — the 「失礼」(rudeness) acknowledges you're breaking the group by leaving first. The correct response is 「お疲れ様でした」(Thank you for your hard work). Never just silently walk out in Japanese office culture.