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How to Say ‘When can you start working?’ in Japanese

いつから働けますか。

itsu kara hatarake masu ka

[itsu kara hatarake masu ka]

Phrase Breakdown

いつから

itsu kara

from when; since when

Asks about the starting time or date.

Example

いつから始まりますか。

From when does it start?

Words in this phrase

いつ

itsu

[itsu]

when

Asks about the time something starts. Common in job interviews.

Example

いつから働けますかと聞かれました。

I was asked, 'From when can you work?'

から

kara

[kara]

from

Shows the starting point in time. Here it means 'from when.'

Example

いつから働けますかに答えました。

I answered the question, 'From when can you work?'

働けますか

hatarake masu ka

can you work; are you able to work

Potential form of 働く, asking about ability to work.

Example

土曜日も働けますか。

Can you work on Saturdays too?

Words in this phrase

働け

hatarake

[hatarake]

can work

Potential form meaning 'be able to work.' Important for discussing start dates.

Example

いつから働けますかはよくある質問です。

'From when can you work?' is a common question.

ます

masu

[masu]

polite verb ending

Adds politeness to the verb in formal situations like interviews.

Example

いつから働けますかと丁寧に聞かれました。

I was politely asked, 'From when can you work?'

か

ka

[ka]

question marker

Makes the sentence a question. Common at the end of polite questions.

Example

いつから働けますかと受付で確認されました。

At reception, I was asked, 'From when can you work?'

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