Japanese for Lockers: Asking About Poster Tube Sizes
Learn to ask station staff if your poster tube fits in a coin locker, using 入りますか and size words like 大型, 中型, 小型.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
You arrive at a station or venue with a rolled poster tube. You need a coin locker, but you are not sure which size will fit. This lesson teaches you to ask staff in Japanese using neutral-polite language. You will learn the words 大型 (large), 中型 (medium), 小型 (small), 縦 (vertical), and 長いもの (long object). You will also learn the key question 入りますか (Will it fit?). By the end, you can describe your poster tube's length and thickness, ask which size is best, and find the right locker without stress.
By the end, you can…
- ask if a poster tube fits in a locker using これは入りますか.
- ask where the large-size lockers are using 大きいサイズはどこですか.
- describe the length and thickness of an object with 長さ and 太さ.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
これは入りますか。
Will this fit?
Kore wa hairimasu ka.
Use while holding or pointing to your poster tube. 入りますか literally asks if something goes in.
大きいサイズはどこですか。
Where is the large size?
Ōkii saizu wa doko desu ka.
Ask this to find the area with larger lockers. サイズ is a common loanword.
長さは八十センチぐらいです。
The length is about 80 centimeters.
Nagasa wa hachijū senchi gurai desu.
Use 長さ for length. Replace the number as needed. ぐらい means 'about'.
太さは十センチぐらいです。
The thickness is about 10 centimeters.
Futosa wa jissenchi gurai desu.
Use 太さ for thickness or diameter of a tube. This helps staff judge fit.
どのサイズがいいですか。
Which size is good?
Dono saizu ga ii desu ka.
Ask for a recommendation. どの means 'which' among three or more options.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern これは入りますか uses は to mark the topic (this) and 入りますか to ask if it fits. You can replace これ with a specific item: このポスターは入りますか (Will this poster fit?). To ask about a size, say 大型は入りますか (Will the large size fit?). For location, use 大きいサイズはどこですか. You can also ask 長いものは入りますか (Will a long object fit?). These patterns work in stations, venues, and other public places with coin lockers.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a locker area and need help. Start with すみません (Excuse me) to get staff attention. Then show your poster tube and ask これは入りますか. If the staff says はい, ask 大きいサイズはどこですか to find the right locker. If you need to describe the tube, say 長さは八十センチぐらいです and 太さは十センチぐらいです. Finally, ask どのサイズがいいですか for a recommendation. Always use polite forms like です and ます with staff.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、これは入りますか。
Excuse me, will this fit?Sumimasen, kore wa hairimasu ka.長さはどのくらいですか。
About how long is it?Nagasa wa dono kurai desu ka.長さは八十センチぐらいで、太さは十センチぐらいです。
The length is about 80 centimeters, and the thickness is about 10 centimeters.Nagasa wa hachijū senchi gurai de, futosa wa jissenchi gurai desu.大型のロッカーはあちらです。
The large lockers are over there.Ōgata no rokkā wa achira desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, coin lockers are often labeled 大型, 中型, and 小型. Staff may use these terms. When asking for help, keep a polite tone with です/ます. It is common to say すみません before asking a question. Avoid touching staff or lockers without permission. If a locker is full, staff may suggest another location, but policies vary by station or venue.
One thing to watch for
Using 大きい instead of 大型 when referring to locker size categories.
Try this instead: Use 大型 for the official large size. 大きい is a general adjective meaning 'big.' For example, say 大型はどこですか (Where is the large size?), not 大きいはどこですか.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if your poster tube fits in a locker?
Show a sample answer
これは入りますか。
This directly asks if the item fits. You can also say このポスターは入りますか, which is equally correct.
2How do you ask where the large-size lockers are?
Show a sample answer
大きいサイズはどこですか。
This uses 大きいサイズ for 'large size.' You could also say 大型はどこですか, which is more specific to locker categories.
3How do you say 'The length is about 80 centimeters'?
Show a sample answer
長さは八十センチぐらいです。
This uses 長さ for length and ぐらい for 'about.' You can replace the number with your actual measurement.
When you have a poster tube, ask これは入りますか and describe 長さ and 太さ. Use 大型, 中型, 小型 to understand locker sizes, and ask どのサイズがいいですか for help.
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