🤔🚪💳🏷️

How to Say ‘Huh, but there's a card sticker on the door.’ in Japanese

え、でもドアにカードのシールがありますよ。

e de mo doa ni kaado no shiiru ga ari masu yo

[eh deh moh DOH-ah nee kah-doh noh SHEE-roo ga ah-ree mahs yo]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Pointing to the sticker is a polite way to push back, because it points to evidence instead of accusing the driver. Payment stickers on taxi doors are common in Japan, so this is a reasonable thing to check.

Phrase Breakdown

え、でもドアに

e de mo doa ni

Huh, but on the door

え shows surprise, でも means 'but', and ドアに means 'on the door'. Say it as 'e, demo doa ni'.

Example

え、でもドアに書いてありますよ。

Huh, but it's written on the door.

Words in this phrase

え

[eh]

eh?; what?

An interjection showing surprise or mild disbelief.

Example

え、本当ですか。

Eh, really?

で

[deh]

but (part of でも)

First half of でも, a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' at the start of a sentence.

Example

でも、高いです。

But it's expensive.

も

[moh]

but (part of でも)

Second half of でも; together they mean 'but; however'.

Example

でも、大丈夫です。

But it's okay.

ドア

doa

[DOH-ah]

door

Loanword from English 'door'; taxi doors in Japan open automatically.

Example

ドアが開きます。

The door opens.

に

[nee]

in; at; to

Marks the location where someone lives.

Example

おおさかにすんでいます。

I live in Osaka.

カードのシールが

kaado no shiiru ga

a card sticker

が marks the subject of あります. Say it as 'kaado no shiiru ga'.

Example

カードのシールが貼ってあります。

A card sticker is stuck on it.

Words in this phrase

カード

kaado

[kah-doh]

card (credit/debit/IC card)

Loanword; used for credit/debit cards and sometimes point cards (context tells).

Example

カードで支払います。

I’ll pay by card.

の

[noh]

of; linking particle

Connects nouns, often showing possession or describing one noun with another.

Example

日本の文化が好きです。

I like Japanese culture.

シール

shiiru

[SHEE-roo]

sticker

Loanword from English 'seal'; means a sticker or decal.

Example

窓にシールを貼ります。

I put a sticker on the window.

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

ありますよ。

ari masu yo

there is, you know

よ gently points out a fact to the listener.

Example

時間はまだありますよ。

There's still time, you know.

Words in this phrase

あり

ari

[ah-ree]

exist; there is

From ある, used for things that exist or are present.

Example

時間がありました。

There was time.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

よ

[yo]

you know; emphasis

Sentence-ending particle adding friendly emphasis or a light reminder. Very common in casual polite speech.

Example

今夜はこれからですよ。

Tonight is just getting started, you know.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager