Calling in Sick to Work in Japan — JLPT N4 Japanese Conversation
The situation
Yattan (ヤッタン) calls the shop early in the morning and reaches the manager (店長) to report a fever and ask for the day off.
はい、さくらカフェです。
はい、さくらかふぇです。
Hello, Sakura Café.
おはようございます、ヤッタンです。朝早くにすみません。
おはようございます、やったんです。あさはやくに すみません。
Good morning, this is Yattan. Sorry for calling so early.
ああ、ヤッタンさん。どうしましたか。
ああ、やったんさん。どうしましたか。
Oh, Yattan. What's the matter?
実は、朝から熱があるんですが、体調が悪いので、今日は休ませていただけますか。
じつは、あさから ねつが あるんですが、たいちょうが わるいので、きょうは やすませて いただけますか。
Actually, I've had a fever since this morning, and since I'm not feeling well, could I please take the day off today?
そうですか。それは大変ですね。無理しないでください。
そうですか。それは たいへんですね。むりしないで ください。
I see. That sounds rough. Please don't push yourself.
ご迷惑をおかけして、申し訳ありません。
ごめいわくを おかけして、もうしわけ ありません。
I'm very sorry for the trouble.
大丈夫ですよ。今日はゆっくり休んでください。お大事に。
だいじょうぶですよ。きょうは ゆっくり やすんでください。おだいじに。
It's fine. Rest well today. Take care.
ありがとうございます。失礼します。
ありがとうございます。しつれいします。
Thank you very much. Goodbye.
Key expressions
- 熱があるんですが — "I have a fever, and…" The 〜んですが ending frames your situation and gently leads into a request instead of stating it flatly. The が here isn't "but"; it's a soft runway toward what you want to ask.
- 体調が悪いので — "Because I feel unwell." 〜ので gives a reason while sounding polite and matter-of-fact — the go-to "because" for explaining yourself to a boss. See 〜ので and 〜から (giving reasons) for how it differs from から.
- 休ませていただけますか — "Could I please be allowed to take off?" This stacks the causative (休む → 休ませる, "let me rest") onto the humble 〜ていただけますか ("could I receive the favor of…"). It's the most polite way to ask permission at work. See 謙譲語 (humble language) for the いただく family this is built on.
- 申し訳ありません — "I'm terribly sorry." Stronger and more formal than すみません, this is the standard workplace apology. Pair it with ご迷惑をおかけして ("for causing you trouble") when you've inconvenienced the team.
About calling in sick in Japan
In Japan you almost always phone rather than text or email — a call reads as more sincere and lets the manager respond in real time. Lead with an apology, keep the reason brief, and offer to make things right; announcing symptoms in detail is less important than showing you regret the inconvenience. Many workers use the phrase 大事を取って休みます ("I'll rest to be on the safe side") even for a mild cold, and for longer absences a company may ask for a 診断書 (doctor's note). One survival phrase to have ready: 「本日お休みをいただけますでしょうか」 ("Might I take the day off today?").
Frequently asked questions
Should I call or text my Japanese workplace when I'm sick?
Call. A phone call is seen as more polite and sincere than a text or email, and it lets your manager acknowledge it and adjust the schedule right away. Texting first can come across as avoiding responsibility.
Why use 休ませていただけますか instead of just 休みます?
休みます ('I'll take off') states a decision; 休ませていただけますか ('could I be allowed to take off?') asks permission humbly using the causative plus いただく. At work, asking rather than announcing is the expected register.
Will I need a doctor's note (診断書) for one sick day?
Usually not for a single day — a quick call is enough. Companies typically only request a 診断書 for longer absences or when required by internal rules, so ask your manager if you're unsure.