Japanese for Replacing a Lost Ticket: なくしました and 再発行
Learn to say you lost your ticket, ask whether it can be reissued, and understand the fee and ID rules at Japanese stations, cinemas, and events.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In Japan, a lost ticket is usually not simply replaced for free. Staff will ask when and where you bought it, whether you have a receipt, and whether the ticket was named. The key verbs are なくす (nakusu, to lose) and 再発行する (saihakkou suru, to reissue). This lesson gives you the exact phrases to report a loss, ask for a replacement, and ask about the 手数料 (tesuuryou, handling fee) and 本人確認 (honnin kakunin, identity check). You will also learn the difference between なくしました (I lost it) and なくなりました (it went missing), which affects how responsible you sound.
By the end, you can…
- say I lost my ticket and ask for a replacement.
- ask whether reissuing is possible and how much the fee is.
- understand and answer questions about where and when I bought the ticket.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
切符をなくしてしまいました。
I lost my ticket.
Kippu o nakushite shimaimashita.
The -te shimaimashita ending shows the loss was unintended and expresses regret. Use this at a station window or ticket gate.
再発行していただけますか。
Could you reissue it for me?
Saihakkou shite itadakemasu ka.
Polite request using itadakemasu ka. Suitable for station staff, cinema counters, and event desks.
手数料はいくらですか。
How much is the handling fee?
Tesuuryou wa ikura desu ka.
Ask this before agreeing to a replacement. Fees vary by company and ticket type.
購入した時のクレジットカードはこれです。
This is the credit card I used to buy it.
Kounyuu shita toki no kurejitto kaado wa kore desu.
Many railways and venues can verify a purchase if you show the same card or app account.
領収書はありませんが、大丈夫ですか。
I don't have a receipt; is that all right?
Ryoushuusho wa arimasen ga, daijoubu desu ka.
Use this honestly. Staff may still help if you can show ID or a purchase record.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜をなくしてしまいました (o nakushite shimaimashita) reports a loss with a tone of regret. Replace the object: 定期券をなくしてしまいました (teikiken o nakushite shimaimashita, I lost my commuter pass), チケットをなくしてしまいました (chiketto o nakushite shimaimashita, I lost my ticket). To ask for a replacement, use 再発行していただけますか (saihakkou shite itadakemasu ka). If you want to ask whether it is possible at all, say 再発行はできますか (saihakkou wa dekimasu ka). Add 手数料はいくらですか (tesuuryou wa ikura desu ka) to ask the fee.
When to use it
Use these phrases at a みどりの窓口 (midori no madoguchi, JR ticket office), a station counter, or an event reception desk. Start with すみません、切符をなくしてしまいました (Sumimasen, kippu o nakushite shimaimashita). Staff may ask いつ、どこで買いましたか (itsu, doko de kaimashita ka, when and where did you buy it?) or 領収書はありますか (ryoushuusho wa arimasu ka, do you have a receipt?). Answer briefly: 昨日、東京駅で買いました (Kinou, Toukyou-eki de kaimashita, I bought it yesterday at Tokyo Station). If reissuing is impossible, staff may say 再発行できません (saihakkou dekimasen).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、切符をなくしてしまいました。
Excuse me, I lost my ticket.Sumimasen, kippu o nakushite shimaimashita.いつ、どこで購入しましたか。
When and where did you purchase it?Itsu, doko de kounyuu shimashita ka.昨日、東京駅のみどりの窓口で買いました。再発行していただけますか。
I bought it yesterday at the JR ticket office at Tokyo Station. Could you reissue it?Kinou, Toukyou-eki no midori no madoguchi de kaimashita. Saihakkou shite itadakemasu ka.はい、できますが、手数料が五百円かかります。本人確認書類はお持ちですか。
Yes, we can, but there is a 500-yen handling fee. Do you have identification?Hai, dekimasu ga, tesuuryou ga gohyaku-en kakarimasu. Honnin kakunin shorui wa omochi desu ka.A little context goes a long way
Politeness matters here. なくしてしまいました sounds apologetic and responsible; なくなりました (nakunarimashita, it went missing) can sound as if you are avoiding responsibility. At railway counters, staff often need the purchase card, receipt, or a registered IC card account. Named tickets and reserved-seat tickets are easier to reissue than anonymous ones. Fees are set by the operator, so ask 手数料はいくらですか rather than assuming it is free.
One thing to watch for
Using なくなりました to mean 'I lost it' when you want to ask for help.
Try this instead: Use なくしてしまいました to show the loss was your mistake and you are asking for assistance: 切符をなくしてしまいました。なくなりました is better for things that disappear without your action, such as 財布がなくなりました (saifu ga nakunarimashita, my wallet went missing).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask a station employee to reissue your lost ticket?
Show a sample answer
再発行していただけますか。
This uses the humble request form いただけますか, which is appropriate with staff. 再発行はできますか is also acceptable but sounds more like a general question.
2What phrase asks about the handling fee?
Show a sample answer
手数料はいくらですか。
This directly asks the amount. You can also say 手数料はかかりますか (Tesuuryou wa kakarimasu ka, Is there a fee?) if you only want to know whether one exists.
3Staff ask 領収書はありますか. What are they asking, and what is a natural reply if you do not have one?
Show a sample answer
They are asking whether you have a receipt. A natural reply is 領収書はありませんが、大丈夫ですか。
This answers honestly and asks whether an alternative is acceptable. You could also offer クレジットカードの控えならあります (kurejitto kaado no hikae nara arimasu, I have a credit card record).
Report a loss with なくしてしまいました, request a replacement with 再発行していただけますか, and always ask 手数料はいくらですか before agreeing. Keep your receipt, purchase card, or app record ready for identity checks.
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