Japanese for Secondhand Game Hunting: Asking About a Missing Manual
Learn to ask whether a used game includes its manual or if it is missing, using 説明書 and マニュアル in polite questions at a Japanese game shop.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you buy a used game in Japan, the condition of the case and the presence of the manual are important. You may need to ask a clerk whether the manual is included or if it is missing. This lesson teaches two key patterns: 説明書はありますか (Does it have a manual?) and マニュアルが欠けていませんか (Isn't the manual missing?). You will also learn related vocabulary and how to role-play a conversation at a used game shop so you can check before you buy.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a used game includes its instruction manual.
- ask if the manual is missing from a used game.
- understand and respond to a clerk's answer about the manual's presence.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
説明書はありますか。
Is there an instruction manual?
Setsumeisho wa arimasu ka.
General polite question asking whether the manual is present. Use when you are not sure about the condition.
マニュアルが欠けていませんか。
Isn't the manual missing?
Manyuaru ga kakete imasen ka.
Use when you suspect the manual might be missing. The negative question softens the inquiry.
説明書は付いていますか。
Does it come with the manual?
Setsumeisho wa tsuite imasu ka.
Focuses on whether the manual is included with the item.
説明書の状態はどうですか。
What is the condition of the manual?
Setsumeisho no jōtai wa dō desu ka.
Ask about the physical condition of the manual, such as whether it is torn or written on.
説明書なしですか。
Is it without a manual?
Setsumeisho nashi desu ka.
A quick way to confirm if the item is sold without the manual. なし means 'without'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'X はありますか' asks whether X exists or is available. For example, 説明書はありますか means 'Is there a manual?' or 'Do you have the manual?' To ask if something is missing, use 'X が欠けていませんか'. 欠ける means 'to be missing' or 'to be lacking'. So マニュアルが欠けていませんか means 'Isn't the manual missing?' You can also use 付いていますか to ask if something is included, as in 説明書は付いていますか. These patterns are polite and suitable for talking with shop staff.
When to use it
Use 説明書はありますか when you are simply checking if the manual is present. It is neutral and safe. Use マニュアルが欠けていませんか when you have a suspicion that the manual might be missing, perhaps because the case feels light or the listing did not mention it. The negative form makes the question less direct and more polite. If you want to ask about the condition, say 説明書の状態はどうですか. For a quick confirmation, 説明書なしですか works in casual but still polite conversation. Always use these with a rising intonation for questions.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この中古ゲームの説明書はありますか。
Excuse me, does this used game have its manual?Sumimasen, kono chūko gēmu no setsumeisho wa arimasu ka.はい、説明書は付いていますよ。状態も良いです。
Yes, the manual is included. Its condition is good too.Hai, setsumeisho wa tsuite imasu yo. Jōtai mo ii desu.そうですか。でも、マニュアルが欠けていませんか。箱が少し軽い気がします。
I see. But isn't the manual missing? The box feels a bit light.Sō desu ka. Demo, manyuaru ga kakete imasen ka. Hako ga sukoshi karui ki ga shimasu.いいえ、大丈夫です。説明書とチラシが入っています。ご確認ください。
No, it's fine. The manual and a flyer are inside. Please check.Iie, daijōbu desu. Setsumeisho to chirashi ga haitte imasu. Gokakunin kudasai.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese shops, staff are generally helpful and will check the item for you. It is polite to ask with a soft tone and avoid direct accusations. Using すみません to start and ending with か creates a polite question. If you are unsure, you can say 確認していただけますか (Could you check for me?). Remember that 説明書 and マニュアル are often used interchangeably, but 説明書 is more common for game manuals.
One thing to watch for
Using 説明書がありませんか to ask if the manual is missing.
Try this instead: 説明書がありませんか can sound like 'Isn't there a manual?' but it may imply you are stating it is absent. To ask politely if it is missing, use 説明書が欠けていませんか or 説明書は付いていませんか. For example, マニュアルが欠けていませんか is better when you suspect it is missing.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a clerk if a used game includes its manual?
Show a sample answer
説明書はありますか。
This directly asks if the manual exists. You could also say 説明書は付いていますか, which focuses on inclusion.
2What phrase would you use if you think the manual might be missing?
Show a sample answer
マニュアルが欠けていませんか。
This negative question politely asks if the manual is missing. 説明書が欠けていませんか is also correct.
3How do you ask about the condition of the manual?
Show a sample answer
説明書の状態はどうですか。
This asks about the physical condition. You could also say 説明書はきれいですか (Is the manual clean?).
Use 説明書はありますか to check if the manual is there, and マニュアルが欠けていませんか if you suspect it is missing. These polite questions will help you confirm the completeness of a used game before buying.
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