Business Office Conversation
吉田(よしだ)部長と星野(ほしの)課長(かちょう)が話しています。
星野: 吉田部長、おつかれさまです！
吉田: ああ、星野(ほしの) くん、ちょっと話があるんだが…
星野: はい。
吉田: 君は今度のプロジェクトの計画をだれに立てさせるのがいいと思う？
星野: 坂本(さかもと) はどうでしょうか。彼女(かのじょ)は入社してもう３年になりますから、そろそろプロジェクトをやらせてもいいと思いますが。
吉田:

そうだなあ。じゃあ、坂本にやらせてみるか。

坂本くん、ちょっと。
坂本: はい。
坂本(さかもと)さんは吉田部長(よしだぶちょう)のデスクに行きました。
吉田: 今度のプロジェクトのことだけど、君に計画を立ててもらおうと思っているんだけど。
坂本: はい、分かりました。
吉田(よしだ)部長は坂本(さかもと)さんに今度のプロジェクトの計画を立てさせます。

Translation

Hoshino1: Hello, Mr. Yoshida!
Yoshida1: Hoshino, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.
Hoshino1: Yes?
Yoshida2: Who do you think we should have draw up the plan for the upcoming project?
Hoshino2: How about Sakamoto? She’s been with the company for three years now, so I think it’s about time we let her take on a project.
Yoshida3: Hmm, you’re right. Okay, let’s give Sakamoto a try.Sakamoto, do you have a minute?
Sakamoto3: Yes.
Sakamoto goes over to Yoshida's desk.
Yoshida4: It’s about the upcoming project. I’m thinking of having you draw up the plan.
Sakamoto4: Yes, I understand.
Manager Yoshida will have Sakamoto draw up the plan for the upcoming project.

Cultural Notes

1.

おつかれさまです — Workplace Greeting 1

おつかれさまです is a common greeting among coworkers. There is no single English expression that corresponds to this greeting in all situations. The form used may vary depending on the relationship between the speakers and the level of formality.

  • おつかれさまです → polite; commonly used to a supervisor or senior colleague
  • おつかれさま → less formal; may be used to a colleague or subordinate
  • おつかれ！ → casual; used with close colleagues or by a senior person to a junior person

In the conversation, Hoshino says おつかれさまです to his supervisor, Yoshida. If Yoshida greeted Hoshino first, he might say おつかれさま or, in a more casual workplace relationship, おつかれ！
2.

おつかれさまでした — Workplace Greeting 2

At the end of the workday, or when someone is leaving after completing their work, おつかれさまでした is also commonly used. It acknowledges the work that has just been completed and may function like “Good work today,” “Thanks for your hard work,” or simply “Good night/See you tomorrow” in English. You can add お先にしつれいします after this greeting: “Good work today. I’m leaving now.”