Japanese for Public Transport: Politely Asking to Sit and Move Past
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases for trains and buses: asking to sit, checking if a seat is free, and politely getting past other passengers.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
On Japanese trains and buses, a few set phrases let you handle the most common shared-space situations politely. This lesson teaches you how to ask whether a seat is free, ask permission to sit, check whether the seat beside someone is taken, ask someone to move so you can get off, and apologize briefly when you squeeze past. You will also learn the difference between 空いていますか and 座ってもいいですか, and why すみません often replaces a direct request.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a seat is free and ask permission to sit down politely.
- politely ask a seated passenger to let me pass when getting off.
- apologize briefly when moving through a crowded train or bus.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、この席は空いていますか。
Excuse me, is this seat free?
Sumimasen, kono seki wa aite imasu ka.
Use when you see an empty seat and want to confirm it is not reserved or taken. 空いています uses the -te iru form of 空く, meaning 'is vacant'.
すみません、ここに座ってもいいですか。
Excuse me, may I sit here?
Sumimasen, koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka.
The standard polite way to ask permission. 座って is the -te form of 座る; 〜てもいいですか asks 'is it all right if I...?'
隣、空いていますか。
Is the seat next to you free?
Tonari, aite imasu ka.
Casual but polite enough for trains. 隣 alone is understood as 'the seat next to you' in this context.
すみません、降ります。
Excuse me, I'm getting off.
Sumimasen, orimasu.
Said while moving toward the door. 降ります is the polite non-past form of 降りる, 'to get off'.
すみません、通してください。
Excuse me, please let me through.
Sumimasen, tōshite kudasai.
Use when people are blocking the aisle or door. 通して is the -te form of 通す, 'to let pass'; ください makes it a polite request.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 〜てもいいですか, which asks permission: ここに座ってもいいですか (May I sit here?), 荷物を置いてもいいですか (May I put my bag here?). For checking a state, use 〜ていますか: 空いていますか (Is it free?), 使っていますか (Is someone using it?). Note that Japanese does not require a word like 'you'; 隣、空いていますか naturally means 'Is the seat next to you free?' because context supplies the rest.
When to use it
Start with すみません when you address a stranger; it functions as both 'excuse me' and a softener. If you only need information, この席は空いていますか is enough. If you want to sit, use 座ってもいいですか. When you must leave the train, say すみません、降ります before you start moving, then 通してください if people do not step aside. Avoid 座りたいです ('I want to sit'), which sounds like a personal desire rather than a polite request.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この席は空いていますか。
Excuse me, is this seat free?Sumimasen, kono seki wa aite imasu ka.はい、空いていますよ。どうぞ。
Yes, it's free. Please go ahead.Hai, aite imasu yo. Dōzo.ありがとうございます。すみません、降ります。
Thank you. Excuse me, I'm getting off.Arigatō gozaimasu. Sumimasen, orimasu.あ、すみません。通してください。
Oh, excuse me. Please let me through.A, sumimasen. Tōshite kudasai.A little context goes a long way
On Japanese trains and buses, silence is normal, so keep your voice low and use short phrases. すみません is the default opener for strangers; it can mean 'excuse me', 'sorry', or 'thank you for trouble'. どうぞ is a common reply when offering a seat. Priority seats near the doors are for elderly, disabled, pregnant, and injured passengers; if you are unsure, it is fine to stand rather than ask.
One thing to watch for
Using 座ってもいいですか without すみません when addressing a stranger, or saying 座りたいです to ask for a seat.
Try this instead: Open with すみません and use the permission pattern: すみません、ここに座ってもいいですか。This sounds polite and natural. 座りたいです only states your desire and can sound demanding in a shared space.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You see an empty seat next to a passenger and want to confirm it is free. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
すみません、この席は空いていますか。
This asks whether the seat is vacant. 隣、空いていますか is also fine if you mean the seat directly next to the person.
2You need to get off, but two people are blocking the door. What polite phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
すみません、降ります。通してください。
すみません gets attention, 降ります states you are getting off, and 通してください asks them to let you pass. 降りまーす is more casual and less suitable with strangers.
3A passenger offers you a seat. Give a polite reply and thank them.
Show a sample answer
ありがとうございます。お言葉に甘えていただきます。
ありがとうございます is the key polite thanks. お言葉に甘えて is a set phrase meaning 'I'll take you up on your kind offer'; simpler ありがとうございます。座らせていただきます is also correct.
On Japanese public transport, lead with すみません, use 空いていますか to check a seat, 座ってもいいですか to ask permission, and 降ります plus 通してください to get off politely.
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