Japanese for Record Hunting: Ask About Obi and Inserts
Learn to ask if a used record includes its obi and liner notes in Japanese, with polite phrases for shop staff and a realistic role-play.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you shop for used records in Japan, the presence of the obi (the paper strip on the sleeve) and the liner notes can make a big difference. This lesson teaches you elementary Japanese phrases to ask about these components clearly and politely. You will learn the key vocabulary and two essential question patterns: 帯はありますか (Obi wa arimasu ka) and ライナーは付いていますか (Rainā wa tsuite imasu ka). By the end, you will be able to walk into a used record shop and ask staff whether the obi and insert are included, without relying on English.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a record includes its obi using 帯はありますか.
- ask whether the liner notes are included using ライナーは付いていますか.
- understand and use the words レコード, 帯, and ライナー in a shop conversation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、このレコードの帯はありますか。
Excuse me, does this record have its obi?
Sumimasen, kono rekōdo no obi wa arimasu ka.
Use this when you are holding a record and want to know if the obi is included. すみません gets the staff's attention politely.
帯はありますか。
Is there an obi? / Does it have the obi?
Obi wa arimasu ka.
A shorter, direct question. You can say this after pointing to a record or while holding it. It is polite enough for most shops.
ライナーは付いていますか。
Are the liner notes included?
Rainā wa tsuite imasu ka.
Use 付いていますか to ask if something is attached or included. This is the natural way to ask about inserts or liner notes.
帯とライナーは付いていますか。
Are the obi and liner notes included?
Obi to rainā wa tsuite imasu ka.
Combine both items with と (and). This is efficient when you want to check both at once.
帯がない場合はありますか。
Do you have one without the obi? / Is there a copy without the obi?
Obi ga nai baai wa arimasu ka.
Use this if you want to know if there is a cheaper copy without the obi, or if you are looking for a specific condition. 場合はありますか means 'is there a case where...' / 'is there a version where...'
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' (X wa arimasu ka) asks whether X exists or is available. For example, 帯はありますか (Obi wa arimasu ka) means 'Is there an obi?' or 'Does it have the obi?' To ask if something is included or attached, use 'X は付いていますか' (X wa tsuite imasu ka). For example, ライナーは付いていますか (Rainā wa tsuite imasu ka) means 'Are the liner notes included?' The verb 付いています (tsuite imasu) describes a state of being attached. You can combine items with と: 帯とライナーは付いていますか (Obi to rainā wa tsuite imasu ka).
When to use it
Use 帯はありますか when you are looking at a record and want to know if the obi is present. It is fine to ask this while holding the record or pointing to it. Use ライナーは付いていますか when you want to check if the liner notes are included. If you are asking about both, combine them: 帯とライナーは付いていますか. In a shop, you can start with すみません (Sumimasen) to get attention, then ask your question. Staff may answer with はい、あります (Hai, arimasu) or いいえ、ありません (Iie, arimasen). For 付いていますか, they might say はい、付いています (Hai, tsuite imasu) or いいえ、付いていません (Iie, tsuite imasen).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、このレコードの帯はありますか。
Excuse me, does this record have its obi?Sumimasen, kono rekōdo no obi wa arimasu ka.はい、帯はあります。でも、ライナーは付いていません。
Yes, it has the obi. But the liner notes are not included.Hai, obi wa arimasu. Demo, rainā wa tsuite imasen.そうですか。帯とライナーの両方が付いているものはありますか。
I see. Do you have one that includes both the obi and the liner notes?Sō desu ka. Obi to rainā no ryōhō ga tsuite iru mono wa arimasu ka.少々お待ちください。ええと、こちらは帯もライナーも付いています。
Please wait a moment. Let's see, this one has both the obi and the liner notes.Shōshō omachi kudasai. Ēto, kochira wa obi mo rainā mo tsuite imasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese record shops, staff are generally helpful but may be busy. Using すみません to start and speaking clearly is appreciated. The obi is often considered part of the record's completeness, so asking about it is normal. However, not all records come with an obi, especially older or imported ones. If you ask 帯はありますか and the answer is no, you can ask if there is another copy with the obi. Politeness is key: avoid demanding language and use お願いします (Onegaishimasu) when making a request.
One thing to watch for
Using 帯がありますか (Obi ga arimasu ka) instead of 帯はありますか (Obi wa arimasu ka).
Try this instead: While 帯がありますか is grammatical, it sounds like 'An obi exists' rather than 'Does this record have an obi?' The particle は (wa) marks the obi as the topic of your question about the record. For asking about inclusion, 帯はありますか is more natural. Similarly, for liner notes, use ライナーは付いていますか, not ライナーがありますか, because 付いています specifically means 'is attached/included'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if a record has its obi?
Show a sample answer
帯はありますか。 (Obi wa arimasu ka.)
This uses は to mark the obi as the topic and ありますか to ask if it exists. It is the standard way to ask about the obi's presence.
2How do you ask if the liner notes are included?
Show a sample answer
ライナーは付いていますか。 (Rainā wa tsuite imasu ka.)
付いていますか asks if something is attached or included. This is the natural phrasing for inserts or liner notes.
3What does 帯とライナーは付いていますか mean?
Show a sample answer
Are the obi and liner notes included?
The particle と connects 帯 and ライナー, and 付いていますか asks if they are included. This combines both checks into one question.
To ask about record components in Japanese, use 帯はありますか for the obi and ライナーは付いていますか for the liner notes. Combine them with と when needed. Always start with すみません for politeness.
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