Meaning
「While I'm gone, could you」は、話し手が不在の間に誰かに何かを依頼する際に使われる英語の表現です。このフレーズは、話し手がその場を離れる間、その場に残る人が特定のタスクや責任を引き受けてくれるよう依頼する際に使用されます。
While I'm goneは「私がいない間」という意味を持ち、could youは「～してくれますか？」という丁寧な依頼を表しています。例えば、「While I'm gone, could you water the plants?」（私がいない間、植物に水をやってくれますか？）という形で使われます。この文では、話し手が不在の間に植物の世話を頼んでいることを示しています。
この表現は、職場や家庭など様々な場面で、他の人に一時的な手助けを求める際に便利です。特に、依頼を丁寧に伝えたい場合に適しています。話し手は相手に対する信頼を示し、相手がその役割を引き受けてくれることを期待していることを表しています。
Today's Sentences
- While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
- While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
- While I’m gone, could you clean the house?
- While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
- While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulb?
- Writer's Note
01
While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
Situation 1
Can we sit down and sort out what goes on at home?
Sure.
What’s on the list?
リストには何がありますか？
While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
Of course.
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
Sure.
It won’t be very good but I’ll try.
あまり上手くできないかもしれませんが、試してみます。
I’ll cut up the ingredients for each day that I’m gone.
It'll be easier to cook the meals.
そうすれば料理が簡単になります。
Great idea!
That would be so helpful!
それはとても役に立つでしょう！
02
While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
Situation 1
I’m going on a business trip this week.
For how many days?
3 days.
While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
私がいない間に、落ち葉をかき集めてくれますか？
Sure, I can do that.
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
Actually, I hurt my back and I don’t know if I can help you with that.
You should get it checked out.
I'll deal with the leaves when I get back.
戻ったら葉っぱを片付けますね。
I’ll try to make an appointment at the clinic.
03
While I’m gone, could you clean the house?
Situation 1
I’m scheduled for surgery this weekend.
Oh no, so sorry to hear that.
What can I do to help out?
何かお手伝いできることはありますか。
While I’m gone, could you clean the house please?
Of course.
I’m here for you if you need.
何か必要であれば、私はここにいます。
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you clean the house?
Can you clean it instead?
Well, we all use this house so you can contribute by vacuuming and cleaning every now and then.
Fine.
大丈夫です。
04
While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
Situation 1
Will you be home this weekend?
No, I won’t be home until next Tuesday.
Didn’t you need me to do something around the house?
While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
Sure.
Anything else?
他に何かございますか？
The trash and maybe sort the recycling bins?
Of course.
05
While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulb?
Situation 1
While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulb?
Sure.
Do you know which lightbulbs need replacing?
どの電球を交換する必要があるかご存知ですか？
I know the master bedroom, kitchen and linen closet need replacing.
Okay, I’ll check the other rooms as well.
Situation 2
How is everything at home?
Everything is great.
Although, I don’t know if it’s just me but the house seems really dim.
ただ、私だけかもしれませんが、家が本当に薄暗いように感じます。
While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulbs?
Maybe that’s why the rooms don’t seem very bright.
I’ll change them.
変えてみます。
Writer's Note
"Could you" is a polite way of asking someone to do something for you. After all, if you're going to ask you might as well ask nicely, right?
Usually "could" is used in the following situations:
- General Ability
Example 1: I could play soccer really well in my teen years.
Example 2: We could play video games for hours after school. - Ask for Permission
Example 1: Could I share your umbrella? Thank you so much!
Example 2: Could I use your bathroom, please? - To Request Something
Example 1: Could you bring me a blanket, please?
Example 2: Could you get me a glass of water? - Possibility in the Past
Example 1: What a close call! You could have gotten into an accident!
Example 2: Did you buy your tickets already? You could gotten them for free if you waited another day! - Suggestion
Example 1: We could go watch the fireworks on the weekend?
Example 2: Do you think we could meet another day, instead? - Conditional of "Can"
Example 1: If we had some extra money, I'm sure we could afford to buy that car.
Example 2: If you came into the store yesterday, you could have been part of a surprise sale!
例 1: 私は10代の頃、サッカーがとても上手にできました。
例 2: 私たちは放課後に何時間もビデオゲームをすることができました。
例1: Could I share your umbrella? ありがとうございます！
例2: Could I use your bathroom, please?
例 1: 毛布を持ってきてもらえますか
例 2: 水を一杯持ってきてもらえますか
例1: 危なかったね！事故に遭うところだったよ！
例2: もうチケットを買ったの？もう一日待てば無料で手に入れられたかもしれないのに！
例 1: 週末に花火を見に行きませんか？
例 2: 別の日に会うのはどうですか？
例1: もしお金がもう少しあったら、その車を買う余裕があると思います。
例2: もし昨日店に来ていたら、サプライズセールに参加できたかもしれませんよ！
