There are many scenes with polite language conversations in the office.#

Set primarily in an office, this story features numerous conversations that showcase polite language commonly used in corporate settings. Kasumi, a mid-career hire, generally speaks in polite language to those around her, and Izumi, her senior coworker, also addresses Kasumi using polite language.

This reflects a growing trend in Japanese companies where seniors increasingly use polite language when speaking to junior colleagues. Since Izumi appears frequently, especially in the early stages of the story, readers are exposed to a wealth of natural and practical examples of polite expressions used in the workplace.

Source: Shikanosuke Yuuki / Shinshi Higeno, shachikuga isekainitobasaretatomottara howaitokigyodatta (KADOKAWA)

Since it’s a four-panel manga, it’s easy to read.#

This work is a type of four-panel manga where each episode is contained within one page. Although it features a relatively high amount of dialogue for this format, the completion of each episode on a single page enables readers to progress through it comfortably at their own pace.

Explaining the Phrase#

・あらば (Araba): A somewhat old-fashioned Japanese expression that derives from the conditional form of the verb ある (“to exist”). It combines the stem あら (a hypothetical form of “aru”) with the conditional particle ば, meaning “if” or “should.” Together, あらば means “if [something] exists” or “if there is.”

・隙 (Suki): Literally means “a gap” or “an opening,” but in this context, it refers to a chance or opportunity.

・When combined, 隙あらば conveys the idea of “if there’s even the slightest chance” or “at any given opportunity.”

In modern Japanese, あらば is rarely used on its own and is primarily seen in set phrases like 隙あらば, which carries a slightly literary or classical nuance.

Example Sentences#

・隙あらば寝たい (Suki araba netai): “If I get the chance, I’d like to sleep.”
・隙あらばゲームをしたい (Suki araba geemu o shitai): “If there’s an opening, I want to play games.”
・隙あらば旅行に行きたい (Suki araba ryokou ni ikitai): “If there’s an opportunity, I want to travel.”

These examples show that 隙あらば often conveys a sense of wanting to seize an opportunity for something desirable, adding a nuanced or humorous undertone.

The Context in the Manga#

In the scene where Kasumi, a modern young woman, uses the phrase 隙あらば, her use of this slightly classical and exaggerated expression creates a humorous and charming contrast. This gap between her serious tone and the playful nature of the phrase adds a comedic effect, making her character more endearing and relatable to readers.

モ○エナ#

By the way, in the first panel, the expression モ○エナ clearly refers to the energy drink Monster Energy, often abbreviated as モンエナ (Mon-ena) in Japanese. However, part of the name is censored (using ○ as a placeholder), likely to avoid any trademark issues. This approach not only shows respect for intellectual property but also serves as a playful nod to the actual brand, prompting readers to recognize it without directly naming it. This type of parody expression is common in manga and adds a layer of humor while cleverly sidestepping legal concerns.

Not all expressions in the work are in polite language.#

The speech of superiors, colleagues, monologues, and psychological descriptions may not always be in honorific language.

Source: Shikanosuke Yuuki / Shinshi Higeno, shachikuga isekainitobasaretatomottara howaitokigyodatta (KADOKAWA)

Advanced business honorific language is not used.#

High-level business honorifics, which include respectful and humble language, are rarely used.