Top 50 phrases to get by Japan: Getting around and shopping
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Key Phrases
駅はどこですか。
eki wa doko desu ka
Where is the station?
どの電車に乗ればいいですか。
dono densha ni nore ba ii desu ka
Which train should I take?
カードで払えますか。
kaado de harae masu ka
Can I pay by card?
Skills You'll Learn
Ask for directions and find important places like stations, exits, and bus stops.
駅や出口、バス停などの場所をたずねて、道案内を受けることができます。
eki ya deguchi basu tei nado no basho o tazune te michi annai o ukeru koto ga deki masu
Use public transportation by asking about trains, platforms, fares, and last trains.
電車やバスの乗り方、ホーム、運賃、終電についてたずねることができます。
densha ya basu no nori kata hoomu unchin shuuden ni tsui te tazuneru koto ga deki masu
Shop and pay in Japanese, including asking about sizes, prices, and payment methods.
買い物でサイズ、値段、支払い方法についてたずねることができます。
kaimono de saizu nedan shiharai houhou ni tsui te tazuneru koto ga deki masu
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
駅はどこですか。
eki wa doko desu ka
Where is the station?
💬 [は] is written [は] but here it's said (wa): [駅は] (eki wa). You'll hear this in almost every basic question like [トイレはどこですか。]
See breakdown →どうやって行きますか。
dou yatsu te iki masu ka
How do I get there?
💬 [どうやって] means "how / by what method," so you can reuse it with other verbs: [どうやって帰りますか。] "How do I get home?"
See breakdown →どの電車に乗ればいいですか。
dono densha ni nore ba ii desu ka
Which train should I take?
💬 [乗ればいいですか] literally works like "if I ride, is it good?" and is a very common way to ask what you should do. You can swap in other verbs too: [どこで降りればいいですか。] "Where should I get off?"
See breakdown →この電車は渋谷に止まりますか。
kono densha wa shibuya ni tomari masu ka
Does this train stop at Shibuya?
このホームで合っていますか。
kono hoomu de atsu te i masu ka
Is this the right platform?
💬 [合っていますか] is a useful way to check if something is correct or matches. You can reuse it with places and choices: [この電車で合っていますか。] "Is this the right train?"
See breakdown →終電は何時ですか。
shuuden wa nan ji desu ka
What time is the last train?
切符を一枚お願いします。
kippu o itsu mai o negai shi masu
One ticket, please.
💬 [一枚] is the counter for flat things like tickets, paper, and plates. Change the number and keep [枚]: [切符を二枚お願いします。] "Two tickets, please."
See breakdown →運賃はいくらですか。
unchin wa ikura desu ka
How much is the fare?
ICカードは使えますか。
IC kaado wa tsukae masu ka
Can I use IC card?
🇯🇵 In Japan people often just say [ICカード] for transit cards like [Suica] or [PASMO], even when asking staff. If you're unsure, this phrase sounds natural at stations, buses, lockers, and many shops.
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