Inviting and Joining Coworkers

In this lesson, you will practice inviting and joining coworkers in a realistic restaurant situation.

You will learn how to:

• Use the main pattern for would you like to go to lunch together?
• Start the conversation politely
• Give or confirm one clear detail
• Respond after receiving an answer
• Avoid a common workplace misunderstanding

Situation: Maria invites Yamada to have lunch after the busy period.

お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。

• Meaning: Would you like to go to lunch together?
• Use: A friendly coworker invitation.

〇時じごろはどうですか。

• Meaning: How about around ___?
• Use: Suggest a time.

〇〇に行いきませんか。

• Meaning: Would you like to go to ___?
• Use: Suggest a place.

いいですね。

• Meaning: Sounds good.
• Use: Accept warmly.

すみません、今日きょうは予定よていがあります。

• Meaning: Sorry, I have plans today.
• Use: Decline politely with a short reason.

Situation	Safe expression
Would you like to go to lunch together?	お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。
How about around ___?	〇時じごろはどうですか。
Would you like to go to ___?	〇〇に行いきませんか。
Sounds good.	いいですね。

Common Mistake Do not stay silent or act when an important detail is unclear. Keep the message short, friendly, and suitable for the relationship.

Practice A: Choose the Best Expression

1. You want to say: “Would you like to go to lunch together?” a. お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。 b. 〇〇に行いきませんか。 c. じゃあね。

2. You want to say: “How about around ___?” a. 〇時じごろはどうですか。 b. いいですね。 c. じゃあね。

3. You want to say: “Would you like to go to ___?” a. 〇〇に行いきませんか。 b. すみません、今日きょうは予定よていがあります。 c. じゃあね。

Show Answers

1. a | 2. a | 3. a

Practice B: Complete the Dialogue

A: すみません。________________________。

B: はい。

A: 〇時じごろはどうですか。

B: わかりました。

Show Answers

お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。

Practice C: Use a Safer Workplace Expression

1. わからない。 → ________________________
2. Say politely: “How about around ___?” → ________________________
3. Say politely: “Would you like to go to ___?” → ________________________

Show Answers

1. すみません、よくわかりません。 | 2. 〇時じごろはどうですか。 | 3. 〇〇に行いきませんか。

Practice D: Role-Play

Practice the restaurant situation from the dialogue.

You: Get the other person’s attention and explain the situation. Partner: Give an answer or instruction. You: Confirm the next action and close politely.

Remember these safe expressions:

• お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。 — Would you like to go to lunch together?
• 〇時じごろはどうですか。 — How about around ___?
• 〇〇に行いきませんか。 — Would you like to go to ___?
• いいですね。 — Sounds good.
• すみません、今日きょうは予定よていがあります。 — Sorry, I have plans today.

The safest pattern: Get attention → say 「お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。」 → add one detail → confirm the next action.

Q. Is 「お昼ひる、一緒いっしょに行いきませんか。」 polite enough at work?

Q. What should I do if I still do not understand?

Q. Should I confirm the answer?