A clear account of the problem helps your landlord arrange a repair. Practise reporting a leak and confirming the plan.

The idea

Start with the observable facts and when the leak occurs. 〜ていただけませんか politely asks someone to act; いつごろ可能でしょうか asks about a possible time. 〜ていただけると助かります presents a preferred time as helpful rather than a demand.

Examples

  • 部屋へやの天井てんじょうから水みずが漏もれています。Water is leaking from the ceiling of my room.
  • 昨日きのうの夜よるから雨あめが降ふると水みずが落おちてきます。Since last night, water has been dripping when it rains.
  • お手数てすうですが、一度いちど確認かくにんしていただけませんか。Sorry to trouble you, but could you take a look?
  • 修理しゅうりはいつごろ可能かのうでしょうか。When might a repair be possible?
  • 平日へいじつは仕事しごとなので、土曜日どようびに来きていただけると助たすかります。I work on weekdays, so I would appreciate it if you could come on Saturday.
  • では、土曜日どようびの午前ごぜんに業者ぎょうしゃが来くると伺うかがいました。So, as I understand it, a repair professional will come on Saturday morning.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Politeness does not require hiding the problem. State the location and timing clearly; 伺いました reports what you understood, so confirm any uncertainty.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the appropriate phrase: お手数てすうですが、確認かくにんして＿＿か。（いただけません／あります）

    Show answer or example answer

    いただけません

    いただけません makes 確認していただけませんか a polite request to check.

  2. Choose the appropriate phrase: 修理しゅうりはいつごろ＿＿でしょうか。（可能かのう／昨日きのう）

    Show answer or example answer

    可能

    可能 fits the question about when a repair is possible; 昨日 names a past day.

  3. Choose the appropriate phrase: 土曜日どようびに来きていただけると＿＿。（助たすかります／降ふります）

    Show answer or example answer

    助かります

    助かります expresses appreciation for a Saturday visit; 降ります means to fall or rain.

Use it today

Read the exchange aloud, then replace the leak and Saturday with your own problem and availability.