How do you say "Is there a convenience store nearby?" in Japanese?

"Is there a convenience store nearby?" in Japanese is "近くにコンビニはありますか。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Is there a convenience store nearby?’ in Japanese

Q: What does "近くにコンビニはありますか。" mean in English?

"近くにコンビニはありますか。" means "Is there a convenience store nearby?" in English. Usage tip: [は] here is the topic marker, so it's said (wa), not (ha): [コンビニはありますか]. You'll hear this pattern a lot for asking whether something exists: [近くにATMはありますか。]

近くにコンビニはありますか。

chikaku ni konbini wa ari masu ka

[chee-kah-koo nee kohn-bee-nee wah ah-ree mahss kah]

💬 Usage Tip: [は] here is the topic marker, so it's said (wa), not (ha): [コンビニはありますか]. You'll hear this pattern a lot for asking whether something exists: [近くにATMはありますか。]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a very natural way to ask staff or passersby for a nearby place. In Japan, [コンビニ] often really is the go-to place for cash, snacks, tickets, and basic supplies, so asking for one is especially practical.

Phrase Breakdown

近くに

chikaku ni

Nearby / in the area

Indicates the location area.

Example

近くにあります。

It is nearby.

Words in this phrase

近く

chikaku

[chee-kah-koo]

nearby

Refers to a place that is close by or within a short distance.

Example

近くに駅があります。

There is a station nearby.

に

[nee]

in; at; to

A particle showing location or direction.

Example

近くにコンビニがあります。

There is a convenience store nearby.

コンビニは

konbini wa

A convenience store

Topic: convenience store.

Example

コンビニはどこですか。

Where is the convenience store?

Words in this phrase

コンビニ

konbini

[kohn-bee-nee]

convenience store

A small store open long hours, common in Japan.

Example

このコンビニは二十四時間です。

This convenience store is open 24 hours.

は

[wah]

topic marker

A particle that marks the topic of the sentence, pronounced 'wa' here.

Example

コンビニはあそこです。

The convenience store is over there.

ありますか

ari masu ka

Is there?

Asks whether something exists nearby.

Example

近くにコンビニはありますか。

Is there a convenience store nearby?

Words in this phrase

あり

ari

[ah-ree]

exist; have

The stem of あります, used for existence of things or availability.

Example

水がありましたが、今はありません。

There was water, but now there isn't.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite verb ending

Polite ending attached to verbs in non-past affirmative form.

Example

ここで待ちます。

I will wait here.

か

[kah]

question marker

A particle placed at the end to make the sentence a question.

Example

大丈夫ですか。

Are you okay?

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