Formal to Client
Workplace · Phone
申し訳ございません、私では分かりかねますので、担当の者に確認の上、改めてご連絡差し上げてもよろしいでしょうか。 — I'm sorry, this is beyond what I can answer, so may I check with the person in charge and call you back? (Workplace · Phone, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
申し訳ございません、私では分かりかねますので、担当の者に確認の上、改めてご連絡差し上げてもよろしいでしょうか。
もうしわけございません、わたくしではわかりかねますので、たんとうのものにかくにんのうえ、あらためてごれんらくさしあげてもよろしいでしょうか。
I'm sorry, this is beyond what I can answer, so may I check with the person in charge and call you back?
Romaji: Moushiwake gozaimasen, watakushi de wa wakari kanemasu node, tantou no mono ni kakunin no ue, aratamete gorenraku sashiagete mo yoroshii deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Hai, onegai itashimasu. Omachi shite orimasu.
Reply
はい、お願いいたします。お待ちしております。
はい、おねがいいたします。おまちしております。
Yes, please. I'll wait for your call.
Gesture & etiquette
Phone-based. Speak with controlled humility, not anxious flustered tone. Have a note pad ready to record what the question was, so you can pass it on accurately. Confirm the callback timeline before hanging up: 'honjitsu chuu ni gorenraku sashiagemasu' (I'll call you back today).
When facing a question outside your area, Japanese business etiquette favors humble acknowledgment + clear next step over speculation. 'Wakari kanemasu' (I'm unable to know) is a softer 'I don't know' — kane- verb endings express inability politely. Always commit to a specific follow-up action ('I'll check and call back') rather than vague 'I'll look into it.' Confirm the callback timing if asked.