Japanese for Checking a Used Lens for Scratches
Learn to ask whether a used lens has scratches and to request permission to inspect it closely, with polite patterns for camera-shop conversations in Japanese.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you look at a used lens in a Japanese camera shop, two questions do most of the work: asking whether there are scratches, and asking permission to inspect the glass closely. This lesson gives you the exact polite forms for both, plus the vocabulary to point at a specific mark and ask a follow-up question. You will practise a short staff conversation from first question to close inspection, using 傷 (kizu, scratch) and the common variant キズ, which appears often in used-gear listings. The focus is spoken, service-counter Japanese you can reuse in any shop that sells secondhand lenses.
By the end, you can…
- ask a staff member whether a used lens has scratches
- politely ask permission to inspect a lens closely
- point to a specific mark and ask what it is
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
傷はありますか。
Are there any scratches?
ki-ZU wa a-ri-MA-su ka
The standard yes-or-no question about cosmetic damage. 傷 covers scratches and scuffs; in used-gear listings you will also see the katakana form キズ.
レンズを確認してもいいですか。
May I check the lens?
REN-zu o ka-ku-NIN shi-te mo i-i desu ka
A polite request for permission to inspect. 確認 (kakunin) means checking or verifying, and works for glass, mount, and barrel.
近くで見てもいいですか。
May I look at it up close?
chi-KA-ku de mi-te mo i-i desu ka
Use this when you want to bring the lens near a light or your eye. It is softer than saying you will touch it.
この傷は何ですか。
What is this mark?
ko-no ki-ZU wa NAN desu ka
Point with your finger or a pen cap while saying この. It asks about one specific mark rather than the lens in general.
前玉に傷はありませんか。
Are there no scratches on the front element?
ma-e-DA-ma ni ki-ZU wa a-ri-ma-SEN ka
前玉 (maedama) is the front glass element. This narrows the question to the surface that most affects image quality.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is noun + はありますか (wa arimasu ka), meaning 'is there / are there ...?' With 傷はありますか you ask about scratches in general. To ask about a specific part, put the location first with に (ni): 前玉に傷はありますか (maedama ni kizu wa arimasu ka), 'are there scratches on the front element?' The negative form ありませんか (arimasen ka) sounds slightly more careful and is common when you hope the answer is no. For permission, use the te-form + もいいですか (mo ii desu ka): 確認してもいいですか, 見てもいいですか. This is the standard polite way to ask 'may I ...?' in a shop.
When to use it
Start with 傷はありますか as a general question, then move to レンズを確認してもいいですか when you want to hold the lens and look through it. If the staff member says どうぞ (douzo, go ahead), you can add 近くで見てもいいですか to bring it toward a light. When you notice a mark, point and ask この傷は何ですか. Keep your voice calm and avoid touching the glass with your fingers; staff may hand you a cloth or ask you to use a loupe. If you are only comparing two lenses, こちらのレンズも確認してもいいですか (kochira no renzu mo kakunin shite mo ii desu ka) extends the same pattern to another item.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この中古レンズは傷はありますか。
Excuse me, does this used lens have any scratches?su-mi-ma-SEN, ko-no CHUU-ko REN-zu ni ki-ZU wa a-ri-MA-su kaはい、少し小さい傷がありますが、写りにはほとんど影響ありません。
Yes, there is a small scratch, but it hardly affects the image.HAI, su-KO-shi chii-SAI ki-ZU ga a-ri-MA-su ga, u-TSU-ri ni wa ho-ton-DO EI-kyou a-ri-ma-SENそうですか。レンズを確認してもいいですか。近くで見たいです。
I see. May I check the lens? I would like to look at it up close.SOU desu ka. REN-zu o ka-ku-NIN shi-te mo i-i desu ka. chi-KA-ku de mi-TAI desuどうぞ。ライトも使えますよ。前玉に傷はありませんか。
Go ahead. You can use a light too. Are there no scratches on the front element?DOU-zo. RAI-to mo tsu-KA-e-ma-su yo. ma-e-DA-ma ni ki-ZU wa a-ri-ma-SEN kaA little context goes a long way
In Japanese shops, staff usually let you inspect used gear, but asking permission first with 確認してもいいですか is expected and shows care. The word 傷 is neutral and standard; キズ in katakana is common in online listings and price tags. Avoid saying 傷がありますか in a blunt, rising tone, which can sound like an accusation. A calm 傷はありますか with a slight fall is more natural. If staff explain a mark, a short そうですか or わかりました keeps the exchange polite.
One thing to watch for
Using 見てもいいですか alone when you mean 'may I hold and inspect the lens?'
Try this instead: 見てもいいですか can sound like you only want to look from a distance. For handling and close inspection, say レンズを確認してもいいですか (renzu o kakunin shite mo ii desu ka). Add 近くで見てもいいですか if you want to bring it near a light.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a staff member whether a used lens has scratches?
Show a sample answer
傷はありますか。
This is the direct, polite yes-or-no question. キズはありますか is also acceptable, especially if you are reading a listing aloud, but 傷 is the standard form in speech.
2You want to hold the lens and check the glass. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
レンズを確認してもいいですか。
確認してもいいですか asks permission to inspect. 見てもいいですか is possible but can suggest looking only, so 確認 is clearer for handling and checking.
3You notice a mark on the front element and want to ask what it is. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
この傷は何ですか。
この points to the specific mark you see. You could also ask 前玉に傷はありませんか to focus on the front element, but この傷は何ですか is best for one visible mark.
Ask 傷はありますか for the general condition, then レンズを確認してもいいですか to inspect closely. Point at a specific mark with この傷は何ですか, and keep your tone calm and polite.
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