How to Ask Where the Swimming Pool Is in Japanese
Learn to ask 'Where is the swimming pool?' in Japanese, understand pool hours, and navigate public swimming facilities with confidence.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for the location of a public swimming pool in Japanese and how to understand its opening hours. You will practice the question 'Where is the swimming pool?' using the pattern '～はどこですか', and learn vocabulary for swimming facilities. You will also learn to ask about hours and understand responses. By the end, you can confidently find a pool and check its schedule.
By the end, you can…
- ask where the swimming pool is in Japanese.
- understand and ask about pool opening hours.
- use the pattern '～はどこですか' for locations.
- recognize common signs and vocabulary at a swimming facility.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
プールはどこですか。
Where is the swimming pool?
Pūru wa doko desu ka.
Standard polite way to ask for the pool's location. Use when you are already at a facility or nearby.
すいえいかんはどこですか。
Where is the swimming hall?
Suieikan wa doko desu ka.
Use 'suieikan' for an indoor swimming facility or natatorium. More formal than 'pūru'.
プールのじかんはなんじからですか。
From what time are the pool's hours?
Pūru no jikan wa nanji kara desu ka.
Ask when the pool opens. 'Kara' means 'from'. Use to find out the starting time.
なんじまでですか。
Until what time is it?
Nanji made desu ka.
Ask when the pool closes. 'Made' means 'until'. Often used after asking opening time.
きょうはあいていますか。
Is it open today?
Kyō wa aite imasu ka.
Ask if the pool is open today. 'Aite imasu' means 'is open' (from 'aku', to open).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '～はどこですか' means 'Where is ～?'. Place the place name before 'wa'. For example: 'プールはどこですか' (Where is the pool?), 'トイレはどこですか' (Where is the toilet?), 'うけつけはどこですか' (Where is the reception?). To ask about hours, use '～はなんじからですか' (From what time is ～?) and '～はなんじまでですか' (Until what time is ～?). For example: 'プールはなんじからですか' (From what time is the pool open?).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a public pool, sports center, or asking for directions. If you are outside, you can ask a local: 'すみません、プールはどこですか' (Excuse me, where is the pool?). At the facility, ask the staff: 'プールのじかんはなんじからですか' (From what time are the pool's hours?). If you want to confirm today's availability, ask: 'きょうはあいていますか' (Is it open today?). Always add 'すみません' to get attention politely.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、プールはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the swimming pool?Sumimasen, pūru wa doko desu ka.プールは2かいです。エレベーターのちかくです。
The pool is on the second floor. It's near the elevator.Pūru wa nikai desu. Erebētā no chikaku desu.ありがとうございます。なんじからですか。
Thank you. From what time is it?Arigatō gozaimasu. Nanji kara desu ka.あさ9じからよる8じまでです。
It's from 9 AM to 8 PM.Asa kuji kara yoru hachiji made desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, public pools are often part of a larger sports complex called a 'supōtsu sentā'. They may have specific rules: swim caps are usually required, and tattoos may be prohibited. Hours can vary by day, and pools may close for maintenance. It's common to ask staff for schedule details. Using polite forms like '～ですか' is important. Also, many facilities have a reception desk ('uketsuke') where you pay and get a locker key.
One thing to watch for
Using 'プールはどこにありますか' (Pūru wa doko ni arimasu ka) in casual conversation.
Try this instead: 'どこにありますか' is grammatically correct but sounds more formal and is often used for inanimate objects. For asking location in everyday speech, 'どこですか' is more natural and common. For example, 'プールはどこですか' is perfectly polite and widely used. Use 'どこにありますか' if you want to be extra polite or in written directions.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Where is the swimming pool?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
プールはどこですか。
This uses the pattern '～はどこですか'. 'Pūru' means pool, 'wa' is the topic marker, 'doko' means where, and 'desu ka' makes it a polite question. Alternatives like 'プールはどこにありますか' are also correct but more formal.
2Ask 'From what time is the pool?' in Japanese.
Show a sample answer
プールはなんじからですか。
This uses '～はなんじからですか' meaning 'From what time is ～?'. You can also say 'プールのじかんはなんじからですか' to be more explicit. Both are correct.
3You want to know if the pool is open today. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
きょうはあいていますか。
This means 'Is it open today?'. 'Kyō' means today, 'aite imasu' means is open, and 'ka' makes it a question. You could also ask 'きょうはプールがあいていますか' for clarity.
Use '～はどこですか' to ask where the pool is, and '～はなんじからですか' / '～はなんじまでですか' to ask about hours. Always add 'すみません' to be polite.
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