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How to Say ‘But, I'm a little worried about the time.’ in Japanese

でも、時間が少し心配です。

de mo jikan ga sukoshi shinpai desu

[deh moh jee-kahn ga skoh-SHEE shin-PIGH dess]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is how disagreement usually sounds at work: not "I disagree" but "I'm a little worried about...". Colleagues will hear it as a real objection.

Phrase Breakdown

でも、時間が

de mo jikan ga

but, the time

Demo, jikan ga. でも means 'but'. Pause briefly after it.

Example

でも、時間がありません。

But there's no time.

Words in this phrase

で

[deh]

but (part of でも)

First half of でも, a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' at the start of a sentence.

Example

でも、高いです。

But it's expensive.

も

[moh]

but (part of でも)

Second half of でも; together they mean 'but; however'.

Example

でも、大丈夫です。

But it's okay.

時間

jikan

[jee-kahn]

time

Refers to time or someone's availability; often used politely in business contexts.

Example

少しお時間をいただきたいです。

I would like to ask for a little of your time.

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

少し心配です。

sukoshi shinpai desu

is a little worrying

Sukoshi shinpai desu. This is a soft way to express concern.

Example

結果が少し心配です。

I'm a little worried about the results.

Words in this phrase

少し

sukoshi

[skoh-SHEE]

a little

Adverb meaning a small amount.

Example

砂糖を少し入れます。

I add a little sugar.

心配

shinpai

[shin-PIGH]

worried; worry

Noun/adjective expressing anxiety or concern.

Example

テストが心配です。

I'm worried about the test.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

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