Quiz – How to Ask Questions in English at Work / 仕事で英語の質問をする方法

Asking Questions in English at Work

Asking questions in English at work is an important skill. Many learners worry about sounding rude or making grammar mistakes, but polite, clear questions show professionalism. Native speakers ask questions every day — it is normal, and it often leaves a great impression.

仕事で英語の質問をすることは、とても大切なスキルです。多くの人が「失礼に思われないか」「文法を間違えないか」と心配しますが、丁寧で明確な質問は、プロフェッショナルとしての姿勢を示します。ネイティブも毎日たくさん質問しています。質問することは普通のことで、むしろ好印象につながります。

When to Use This

Here are 6 real situations where you will need to ask questions at work:

1. Starting a new job When you need to understand your tasks and the company's rules.
   新しい仕事を始めて、業務や会社のルールを理解したいとき。
2. Receiving new instructions When your manager gives you a task and you want to confirm the details.
   指示を受けて、内容の詳細を確認したいとき。
3. Working on a team project When you need to know who is doing what and when.
   チームで、誰が何をいつやるのか知りたいとき。
4. Joining a meeting When you want to ask for clarification after someone explains something.
   会議で説明のあとに、もう少し詳しく聞きたいとき。
5. Working with international colleagues When you need to communicate clearly across cultures and languages.
   異なる文化や言語の同僚と、明確に伝え合いたいとき。
6. Checking in on your progress When you want to make sure you are going in the right direction.
   自分の進捗が正しい方向か確認したいとき。

Why It Matters

Asking good questions at work pays off in several ways:

• Do your job better — understanding tasks correctly the first time.
• Avoid mistakes — clarifying before you start prevents costly errors.
• Build trust with your team — colleagues respect clear communication.
• Feel more confident — knowing the polite pattern removes hesitation.

The 3-Part Core Pattern

A good workplace question has three parts. Use this simple template every time.

1. Polite opening → 1
2. Your question → 1
3. Thank you / closing →

Template

「[丁寧な切り出し]、[質問]？ [お礼・締め]。」

Real Example

Sorry to bother you, but could you explain the next step again? Thank you so much.

お忙しいところすみませんが、次の手順をもう一度説明していただけますか。本当にありがとうございます。

25 Key Words for Asking Questions

Study these essential words and phrases grouped by how they are used. Read them aloud.

Action Verbs

Work Nouns

Polite Question Starters

Timing & Status Words

The Right Phrase for Every Moment

Starting the Conversation

Asking for Clarification

Asking About Tasks and Steps

Asking About Deadlines and Priorities

Ending the Conversation Politely

Full Example Conversations

Asking Your Manager About a New Project

You have just been given a new project by your manager, Sarah.

Clarifying Instructions After a Meeting

Break room after a team meeting. Your colleague James was taking notes. You missed part of the explanation.

Asking a Colleague on a Video Call

Video call with Mark, a colleague in the US, about a shared report.

Fluency Tips: Before vs After

Add a reason or context

Use "just" to soften

Confirm before asking again

Rising intonation for yes/no

5 Mistakes to Avoid

Write Your Own Answer

Worked Examples

Kenji — new employee:
"Sorry to bother you, but could you explain the approval process for new invoices? I want to make sure I do it correctly. Thank you."

Yuki — team member:
"Excuse me, do you have a moment? I just wanted to confirm — when is the client presentation due? I appreciate it."

Hiroshi — experienced staff:
"I have a quick question — should I prioritize the budget review or the weekly report today? I want to make sure I'm focusing on the right thing. Thanks."