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Scene illustrating a Japanese-language asking for directions conversation

Key Phrases

すみません

sumi mase n

Excuse me

教えていただけますか

oshie te itadake masu ka

Could you tell me

左に曲がってください

hidari ni magatsu te kudasai

Turn left

Skills You'll Learn

Asking for directions

方向を尋ねる

houkou o tazuneru

Understanding traffic instructions

交通指示を理解する

koutsuu shiji o rikai suru

Expressing gratitude

感謝の気持ちを表現する

kansha no kimochi o hyougen suru

Lesson Roleplay

Imagine you are walking in a town in Japan and need directions to your hotel. You approach a local for help, asking the way to the Sunshine Hotel. The local gives you clear instructions on how to get there, indicating specific turning points and assuring you of its proximity. The conversation concludes with a friendly exchange of thanks and well wishes for your journey.

すみません、ホテルへの道を教えていただけますか?

sumi mase n hoteru e no michi o oshie te itadake masu ka

Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the hotel?

もちろんです。どのホテルですか?

mochiron desu dono hoteru desu ka

Of course. Which hotel is it?

サンシャインホテルです。

sanshain hoteru desu

It's the Sunshine Hotel.

サンシャインホテルですね。ここからまっすぐ行って、二つ目の信号を左に曲がってください。

sanshain hoteru desu ne koko kara massugu itsu te futa tsu me no shingou o hidari ni magatsu te kudasai

The Sunshine Hotel, right? Go straight from here and turn left at the second traffic light.

はい、わかりました。それからどのくらいですか?

hai wakari mashi ta sore kara dono kurai desu ka

Okay, got it. How far is it from there?

Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases

すみません

sumi mase n

Excuse me

💬 Used to apologize or gently get someone's attention.

🇯🇵 Politeness is key in Japan; use this phrase often to be polite.

See breakdown →
🧑‍🏫

教えて

oshie te

Teach me

💬 Short form to ask someone to explain or teach something.

🇯🇵 Visitors often use this when asking for directions or understanding cultural nuances.

See breakdown →
🙏

いただけますか

itadake masu ka

Could you please

💬 A polite request form, often combined with another verb.

🇯🇵 Making humble requests is highly appreciated in Japanese culture.

See breakdown →
🗣️

教えていただけますか

oshie te itadake masu ka

Could you tell me

💬 A formal way to ask for information.

🇯🇵 This allows you to maintain a respectful tone, essential in Japan.

See breakdown →
🗺️

への道を

e no michi o

The way to

💬 Used when specifying a destination.

🇯🇵 Often followed by the name of the place you're trying to reach.

See breakdown →
🏨

ホテル

hoteru

Hotel

💬 Pronounced almost exactly like ‘hotel’ in English.

🇯🇵 Western-style hotels are common in urban areas of Japan.

See breakdown →
👍

もちろんです

mochiron desu

Of course

💬 Adds reassurance when giving or receiving instructions.

🇯🇵 Conveys willingness to assist someone in need.

See breakdown →

どの

dono

Which

💬 Used when asking for details about options.

🇯🇵 Helpful in clarifying specifics, such as locations or items.

See breakdown →
👉

です

desu

It's

💬 Universal ending for state-of-being in Japanese.

🇯🇵 Key component in forming polite sentences.

See breakdown →
🚀

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