Japanese Phrases for Tourists: Ask Staff with Clear Pronunciation
Learn three core Japanese question patterns to ask staff for help while traveling. Get accurate Hepburn pronunciation, register tips, and a realistic dialogue to practice.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you travel in Japan, the most useful skill is asking staff a clear, polite question. This lesson teaches three patterns: asking if something is available, asking where something is, and asking for a recommendation. You will learn the exact Japanese, consistent Hepburn romanization, and when to use each pattern. The focus is on speaking so staff can understand you and on understanding their likely reply. No prior grammar is needed.
By the end, you can…
- ask staff if a specific item or service is available using 〜はありますか.
- ask where a place or item is using 〜はどこですか.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、英語のメニューはありますか。
Excuse me, do you have an English menu?
Su-mi-ma-sen, eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka.
Use at a restaurant or cafe. すみません gets attention politely. ありますか asks if something exists or is available.
トイレはどこですか。
Where is the restroom?
Toire wa doko desu ka.
Use in any public place. どこですか means 'where is it?' The particle は marks トイレ as the topic.
おすすめは何ですか。
What do you recommend?
Osusume wa nan desu ka.
Use at a restaurant or shop when you want staff advice. おすすめ means recommendation. 何ですか means 'what is it?'
これをください。
I'll take this one, please.
Kore o kudasai.
Use while pointing at an item on a menu or shelf. を marks the object. ください makes a polite request.
カードで払えますか。
Can I pay by card?
Kādo de haraemasu ka.
Use at checkout. で marks the method. 払えますか is the potential form asking 'can I pay?'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜はありますか (〜 wa arimasu ka) asks whether something exists or is available. Put the item before は. For example, 日本語のメニューはありますか (Nihongo no menyū wa arimasu ka) means 'Do you have a Japanese menu?' For places, use 〜はどこですか (〜 wa doko desu ka): 駅はどこですか (Eki wa doko desu ka) means 'Where is the station?' These patterns are polite and work with staff. Do not add です before ありますか; ありますか already ends the question politely.
When to use it
Use すみません before a question to get attention politely. Use 〜はありますか when you want to know if an item or service is offered. Use 〜はどこですか when you need a location. Use おすすめは何ですか when you want a suggestion. Use これをください when you have decided. Use カードで払えますか at payment. Staff may reply with はい、あります (Hai, arimasu) or いいえ、ありません (Iie, arimasen). For location, they may say あそこです (Asoko desu) meaning 'It's over there.' Listen for あそこ (asoko, over there), 右 (migi, right), 左 (hidari, left), and まっすぐ (massugu, straight).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、英語のメニューはありますか。
Excuse me, do you have an English menu?Su-mi-ma-sen, eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka.はい、あります。こちらです。
Yes, we do. Here you are.Hai, arimasu. Kochira desu.ありがとうございます。おすすめは何ですか。
Thank you. What do you recommend?Arigatō gozaimasu. Osusume wa nan desu ka.日替わりランチがおすすめです。
The daily lunch special is recommended.Higawari ranchi ga osusume desu.A little context goes a long way
Politeness in Japanese often comes from a calm tone and a brief apology for interrupting. すみません works for getting attention, apologizing lightly, and even thanking someone for trouble. In shops and restaurants, staff may use keigo (honorific language) such as いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase, 'Welcome') and かしこまりました (Kashikomarimashita, 'Certainly'). You do not need to reply in keigo; a clear ありがとうございます is fine. If you do not understand, say もう一度お願いします (Mo ichido onegai shimasu, 'One more time, please').
One thing to watch for
Adding です to ありますか, as in ありますですか.
Try this instead: Use ありますか by itself. あります is already a polite verb, so ありますですか is not natural. Say メニューはありますか (Me-nyu- wa a-ri-ma-su ka), not メニューはありますですか.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are at a cafe and want to know if they have Wi-Fi. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
すみません、Wi-Fiはありますか。 (Su-mi-ma-sen, waifai wa arimasu ka.)
This uses 〜はありますか to ask if Wi-Fi is available. You could also say Wi-Fiがありますか (Waifai ga arimasu ka); が is also acceptable here, though は is common when the item is already the topic.
2You need to find the station. Ask a staff member.
Show a sample answer
すみません、駅はどこですか。 (Su-mi-ma-sen, eki wa doko desu ka.)
This uses 〜はどこですか to ask for a location. You can replace 駅 with any place, such as トイレ (toilet) or ホテル (hotel).
3You are at a restaurant and want the staff to suggest a dish. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
おすすめは何ですか。 (Osusume wa nan desu ka.)
This asks for a recommendation. You could also say おすすめを教えてください (Osusume o oshiete kudasai), which means 'Please tell me your recommendation.' Both are polite and natural.
Start with すみません, then use 〜はありますか for availability, 〜はどこですか for location, and おすすめは何ですか for suggestions. Keep your pronunciation clear and your tone polite.
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