Polite to Superior
Workplace · Greeting
お先に失礼いたします。何かございましたら、ご連絡ください。 — Excuse me for leaving first. Please contact me if anything comes up. (Workplace · Greeting, Polite to Superior, JLPT N4)
You
お先に失礼いたします。何かございましたら、ご連絡ください。
おさきにしつれいいたします。なにかございましたら、ごれんらくください。
Excuse me for leaving first. Please contact me if anything comes up.
Romaji: Osaki ni shitsurei itashimasu. Nanika gozaimashitara, gorenraku kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Aa, otsukaresama. Yukkuri yasunde kure.
Reply
ああ、お疲れさま。ゆっくり休んでくれ。
ああ、おつかれさま。ゆっくりやすんでくれ。
Ah, good work. Rest well.
Gesture & etiquette
Approach the superior's desk area before leaving, do not announce from a distance. Small bow (20 degrees) when speaking. Brief eye contact, then turn and exit calmly. If the superior is in deep focus, a softer voice and shorter exchange is appropriate.
Leaving before a superior (who is often still working) requires extra deference. The added 'nanika gozaimashitara, gorenraku kudasai' (please contact me if anything comes up) signals continued availability — a small but valued gesture. The superior typically responds with 'yukkuri yasunde' (rest well) or 'otsukare-sama,' acknowledging your effort.