Polite to Colleague
Workplace · Meeting
ご説明ありがとうございました。一点質問させていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。 — Thank you for the explanation. May I ask one question? (Workplace · Meeting, Polite to Colleague, JLPT N3)
You
ご説明ありがとうございました。一点質問させていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。
ごせつめいありがとうございました。いってんしつもんさせていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。
Thank you for the explanation. May I ask one question?
Romaji: Gosetsumei arigatou gozaimashita. Itten shitsumon sasete itadaite mo yoroshii deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Hai, douzo. Nan deshou ka?
Reply
はい、どうぞ。何でしょうか？
はい、どうぞ。なんでしょうか？
Yes, please. What is it?
Gesture & etiquette
Sit upright when speaking up. Make eye contact with the presenter, not just the chair. Voice should be clear, slightly louder than conversational so the room can hear. If using a microphone, hold it 10cm from your mouth. Wait for permission acknowledgment before launching into the question.
Even in informal meetings, asking permission before posing a question shows respect for the speaker's flow and the chair's facilitation. Thank the presenter first — it acknowledges their preparation effort. 'Itten' (one point) signals brief intent, lowering the social cost of speaking up. After their answer, a brief 'arigatou gozaimasu' closes the exchange.