Real conversations.
Your reply changes it.
10 everyday exchanges. Read what they say, then pick your reply and see how it plays out.
Checking out at the register
They ask if you need a bag for your items.
袋は要りますか。
Fukuro wa irimasu ka.
Do you need a bag?
はい、お願いします。
Hai, onegaishimasu.
Yes, please.
五円になります。
Go-en ni narimasu.
That’ll be 5 yen.
Ordering a drink at a restaurant
The waiter asks what you’d like to drink.
お飲み物は何にしますか。
Onomimono wa nani ni shimasu ka.
What would you like to drink?
お水をください。
Omizu o kudasai.
Water, please.
はい、すぐお持ちします。
Hai, sugu omochi shimasu.
Yes, I’ll bring it right away.
Asking for directions
You stop someone to ask the way to the station.
すみません、駅はどこですか。
Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka.
Excuse me, where is the station?
歩いて行けますか。
Aruite ikemasu ka.
Can I walk there?
はい、五分くらいです。
Hai, gofun kurai desu.
Yes, about five minutes.
Getting a taxi
You get in and tell the driver where to go.
どちらまでですか。
Dochira made desu ka.
Where to?
ここまでお願いします。
Koko made onegaishimasu.
To here, please.
はい、出発します。
Hai, shuppatsu shimasu.
All right, let’s get going.
Checking in at a hotel
You arrive at the front desk to check in.
ご予約はございますか。
Goyoyaku wa gozaimasu ka.
Do you have a reservation?
はい、あります。
Hai, arimasu.
Yes, I do.
お名前をお願いします。
Onamae o onegaishimasu.
Your name, please.
Making plans with a friend
A friend invites you out this weekend.
今週末、一緒に行きませんか。
Konshūmatsu, issho ni ikimasen ka.
Would you like to go together this weekend?
いいですね、行きましょう。
Ii desu ne, ikimashō.
Sounds great, let’s go.
じゃあ、土曜日に。
Jā, doyōbi ni.
Great, see you Saturday then.
Answering a phone call
Your phone rings and you pick up.
もしもし、今お時間よろしいですか。
Moshi moshi, ima ojikan yoroshii desu ka.
Hello, do you have a moment right now?
はい、大丈夫です。
Hai, daijōbu desu.
Yes, that’s fine.
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you.
At the convenience store counter
The clerk offers to heat up your food.
温めますか。
Atatamemasu ka.
Should I heat this up?
はい、温めてください。
Hai, atatamete kudasai.
Yes, please heat it up.
少々お待ちください。
Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
Small talk about the weather
A neighbor makes conversation about today’s weather.
今日はいい天気ですね。
Kyō wa ii tenki desu ne.
The weather is nice today, isn’t it?
そうですね、気持ちがいいです。
Sō desu ne, kimochi ga ii desu.
It really is, it feels great.
お出かけ日和ですね。
Odekake biyori desu ne.
Perfect weather for going out.
At the doctor’s office
The doctor asks how you’re feeling today.
今日はどうされましたか。
Kyō wa dō saremashita ka.
What brings you in today?
熱があります。
Netsu ga arimasu.
I have a fever.
少し診察しますね。
Sukoshi shinsatsu shimasu ne.
Let me take a look.
Every exchange starts the same way. What you say next is up to you.