Unit Practice & Review
同僚との会話の総合練習 — Practical Japanese for convenience store communication
⏱️ About 10-15 min ／ 📊 Level: Beginner (N4) ／ 🗣️ Listening + Speaking
🎯 Lesson Goal
In this lesson, you will practice unit practice & review in a realistic convenience store situation.
You will learn how to:
- Use the main pattern for how have things been recently?
- Start the conversation politely
- Give or confirm one clear detail
- Respond after receiving an answer
- Avoid a common workplace misunderstanding
💬 Workplace Dialogue
Scene 1: The Workplace Situation
Scene 2: Confirming the Next Step
🔑 Key Phrases
- Meaning: How have things been recently?
- Use: Start general small talk.
- Meaning: I see.
- Use: Show interest.
- Meaning: That sounds difficult.
- Use: Show empathy.
- Meaning: I like ___ too.
- Use: Find shared interests.
- Meaning: Would you like to go together sometime?
- Use: Make a light invitation.
🧭 How to Use
A. A safe workplace flow
- Start with 「すみません」 or the person’s name.
- Say 「最近どうですか。」.
- Add one useful detail.
- Listen, confirm, and say 「わかりました」.
B. Choose the right pattern
| Situation | Safe expression |
|---|---|
| How have things been recently? | 最近どうですか。 |
| I see. | そうなんですね。 |
| That sounds difficult. | 大変ですね。 |
| I like ___ too. | 私も〇〇が好きです。 |
C. Common Mistake
D. Workplace note
- Listen to the other person’s reply before adding another question.
- Use a calm tone and choose a more polite form for supervisors or customers.
✏️ Practice
Practice A: Choose the Best Expression
1. You want to say: “How have things been recently?” a. 最近どうですか。 b. 大変ですね。 c. じゃあね。
2. You want to say: “I see.” a. そうなんですね。 b. 私も〇〇が好きです。 c. じゃあね。
3. You want to say: “That sounds difficult.” a. 大変ですね。 b. 今度、一緒に行きませんか。 c. じゃあね。
Show Answers
- a | 2. a | 3. a
Practice B: Complete the Dialogue
A: すみません。________________________。
B: はい。
A: そうなんですね。
B: わかりました。
Show Answers
最近どうですか。
Practice C: Use a Safer Workplace Expression
- わからない。 → ________________________
- Say politely: “I see.” → ________________________
- Say politely: “That sounds difficult.” → ________________________
Show Answers
- すみません、よくわかりません。 | 2. そうなんですね。 | 3. 大変ですね。
Practice D: Role-Play
Practice the convenience store 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.
⭐ Natural Japanese Upgrade
Upgrade 1
- BASIC – 最近どうですか。
- MORE POLITE / FORMAL – 最近はいかがですか。
Upgrade 2
- BASIC – 一緒に行きませんか。
- MORE POLITE / FORMAL – よろしければ、今度ご一緒しませんか。
✅ Mini Review
Remember these safe expressions:
- 最近どうですか。 — How have things been recently?
- そうなんですね。 — I see.
- 大変ですね。 — That sounds difficult.
- 私も〇〇が好きです。 — I like ___ too.
- 今度、一緒に行きませんか。 — Would you like to go together sometime?
The safest pattern: Get attention → say 「最近どうですか。」 → add one detail → confirm the next action.
FAQ
Q. Is 「最近どうですか。」 polite enough at work?
Yes. It is a safe standard expression for coworkers and supervisors when used with a calm tone.
Q. What should I do if I still do not understand?
Ask one shorter question. You can also say 「すみません、もう一度お願いします」.
Q. Should I confirm the answer?
Yes. Repeat the key action, time, place, or person, then say 「わかりました」.
🗣️ Practice Ideas
- Practice the dialogue with a different convenience store task.
- Change one detail and practice a short follow-up question.
Want to Practice with a Teacher?
先生といっしょに練習しませんか？
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今日学習した内容でわからないところは、プロの先生から直接教わることができます。
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