Public Transport

1. 渋谷駅へはどう行けばいいですか

   shi-bu-ya e-ki e wa dō i-ke-ba i-i de-su ka

   How do I get to Shibuya Station?

   Usage

   Asking how to get to a station. Replace the place name as needed

   Grammar Note

   "Dō ikeba ii desu ka" is a standard phrase for asking directions. The は after へ emphasizes the topic

2. 電車の乗り換えはどこでしますか

   den-sha no no-ri-ka-e wa do-ko de shi-ma-su ka

   Where do I transfer trains?

   Usage

   Checking where to transfer to another train on the way to a destination

   Grammar Note

   "Norikae" is a compound of "noru" (board) + "kaeru" (change). "de" marks the place where the action occurs

3. この電車は新宿に止まりますか

   ko-no den-sha wa shin-ju-ku ni to-ma-ri-ma-su ka

   Does this train stop at Shinjuku?

   Usage

   Checking whether the train you're on stops at a specific station

   Grammar Note

   "〜ni tomarimasu ka" checks if something stops at a specific location. "ni" marks the point of contact/arrival

4. ICカードはどこで買えますか

   ai-shī kā-do wa do-ko de ka-e-ma-su ka

   Where can I buy an IC card?

   Usage

   Asking where to purchase a transit IC card such as Suica or Pasmo

   Grammar Note

   Japan's transit IC cards include Suica and Pasmo. They can be purchased at ticket machines or Green Windows

5. 終電は何時ですか

   shū-den wa nan-ji de-su ka

   What time is the last train?

   Usage

   Checking the last train time, especially important at night

   Grammar Note

   "Shūden" means the final train. "Nanji desu ka" is the simplest form for asking time

6. このバスは空港へ行きますか

   ko-no ba-su wa kū-kō e i-ki-ma-su ka

   Does this bus go to the airport?

   Usage

   Checking if the bus goes to the airport

   Grammar Note

   "〜e ikimasu ka" asks if something goes toward a destination. "e" emphasizes direction vs. "ni" for destination

7. タクシーを呼んでもらえますか

   ta-ku-shī wo yon-de mo-ra-e-ma-su ka

   Could you call a taxi for me?

   Usage

   Politely asking a hotel or store staff to call a taxi

   Grammar Note

   "〜te moraemasu ka" is a polite request. "〜te moraemasen ka" (negative form) is even more polite

8. 〇〇まで料金はいくらですか

   〇〇 ma-de ryō-kin wa i-ku-ra de-su ka

   How much is the fare to 〇〇?

   Usage

   Checking the fare to a destination by taxi or train

   Grammar Note

   "〜made" marks the end point. "Ryōkin" refers to charges paid for a service such as transport

9. 地下鉄の路線図をもらえますか

   chi-ka-te-tsu no ro-sen-zu wo mo-ra-e-ma-su ka

   Could I have a subway map?

   Usage

   Requesting a subway map at a station or tourist information center

   Grammar Note

   "〜wo moraemasu ka" is a polite way to request something. Softer than "〜wo kudasai" (please give me)

10. 優先座席は空いていますか

    yū-sen za-se-ki wa a-i-te-i-ma-su ka

    Are the priority seats available?

    Usage

    Checking if priority seats are free on a train or bus

    Grammar Note

    "Aite imasu" is the polite continuous form of "aku" (to become empty). Priority seats are standard on Japanese transit

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