Japanese with Manga

Scheduled to work outside at night with 〜ことになっている

Grammar Explanation: Past decision still in effect with 〜ことになっている

Manga panel from シャドーハウス showing example of Scheduled to work outside at night with 〜ことになっている.
シャドーハウス » Volume 2 » Page 66

Kate says she wants to study together with Emiriko before bedtime.

エミリコ:
「あっ…　ごめんなさい。実(じつ)は外(そと)の仕事(しごと)を深夜(しんや)にもすることになって…」
“Ah, I'm sorry. The truth is, I'm scheduled to do late-night work outside...”
Literal: “Ah... I'm sorry. Actually, it has become the thing that I also do outside work late at night...”
「また別(べつ)の機会(きかい)にお願(ねが)いします！」
“Please ask again another time!”

Key Points

1することになって points to an assigned plan
  • 外(そと)の仕事(しごと)を深夜(しんや)にもすることになって means Emiriko has been scheduled to work outside late at night too.
  • The sentence trails off because this explains why she cannot study now.
2実は introduces the real reason
  • 実(じつ)は signals that she is revealing the actual scheduling conflict.
  • It softens the refusal before she apologizes.
3また別の機会に politely postpones
  • また別(べつ)の機会(きかい)に means “another time”.
  • お願いします keeps the refusal deferential toward Kate.

Vocabulary

(Late night)

深夜(しんや) means late at night or the dead of night. It refers to the deep part of the night when most people are asleep.

(Work)

仕事(しごと) is a broad term that refers not only to one’s profession or labor but also to tasks and roles in general.

(Opportunity)

機会(きかい) means an opportunity or chance, the right occasion for something to happen.

See Also

シャドーハウス © its respective creators. It is used here for educational commentary.