Japanese for Using an ATM: Withdrawing Cash and Asking About Fees
Learn elementary Japanese to withdraw cash from an ATM, ask whether it accepts foreign cards, and understand common on-screen prompts and fee questions.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Using an ATM in Japan is often easier than you expect, because many machines offer an English screen. Even so, a few Japanese phrases let you confirm that your foreign card works, choose the amount you want, and ask about fees before you commit. This lesson focuses only on cash withdrawal. You will learn how to ask 'Does this ATM accept foreign cards?', how to say you want to withdraw cash, how to ask about the fee, and how to react to the most common prompts. The Japanese here is polite but simple, so you can use it at a convenience store, bank, or post office ATM.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether an ATM accepts foreign cards.
- say that I want to withdraw cash and name an amount.
- ask how much the fee is.
- understand common ATM prompts such as 'please insert your card' and 'please enter your PIN'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。
Does this ATM accept foreign cards?
Kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka.
A polite yes/no question. Say it to a staff member before you start, or point at the machine while asking.
キャッシュカードでお金を引き出したいです。
I want to withdraw money with my cash card.
Kyasshu kaado de okane o hikidashitai desu.
Use this to state your purpose clearly. 'Hikidashitai' means 'want to withdraw'. For a credit card, say 'kurejitto kaado de'.
手数料はいくらですか。
How much is the fee?
Tesuuryō wa ikura desu ka.
Ask this before confirming the transaction. Fees can depend on the time of day and the amount.
一万円お願いします。
Ten thousand yen, please.
Ichiman en onegaishimasu.
Use this when the screen or staff asks how much you want. Change the amount as needed, for example 'gosen en' for 5,000 yen.
カードを入れてください。
Please insert your card.
Kaado o irete kudasai.
A common on-screen prompt. 'Irete kudasai' means 'please insert'. You may also see 'kaado o nuite kudasai' (please remove your card).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask whether something is possible, use the pattern 'X wa Y ga tsukaemasu ka.' Here 'tsukaemasu' is the polite potential form of 'tsukaimasu' (use). For example, 'Kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka' means 'Does this ATM accept foreign cards?' You can swap the subject: 'Kono resutoran wa kurejitto kaado ga tsukaemasu ka' means 'Does this restaurant accept credit cards?' The particle 'ga' marks the thing that can be used, and 'ka' at the end makes it a question.
When to use it
Use the card question before you insert anything, especially at a machine without an English display. If the answer is 'hai, tsukaemasu' (yes, it works), continue. If it is 'sumimasen, tsukaemasen' (sorry, it does not work), ask 'chikaku ni gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaeru ATM wa arimasu ka' (is there a nearby ATM that accepts foreign cards?). For fees, ask 'tesuuryō wa ikura desu ka' before pressing the final confirmation button, because some withdrawals outside bank hours cost extra.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。
Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?Sumimasen, kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka.はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。
Yes, it works. You can choose English on the screen.Hai, tsukaemasu. Gamen de eigo o erabemasu yo.ありがとうございます。手数料はいくらですか。
Thank you. How much is the fee?Arigatō gozaimasu. Tesuuryō wa ikura desu ka.今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。
It is 108 yen now. Are you withdrawing ten thousand yen?Ima wa hyaku hachi en desu. Ichiman en o hikidashi desu ka.A little context goes a long way
Japanese ATMs often have a language button, and many major banks and convenience stores support foreign cards, but smaller local banks may not. Fees and available hours vary: using an ATM outside bank hours or at a convenience store can add a small charge. Staff at convenience stores usually cannot help with card problems, so if the machine rejects your card, it is fine to say 'sumimasen, tsukaemasen deshita' and try another machine or bank branch.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'このATMは外国のカードを使いますか' to mean 'Does this ATM accept foreign cards?'
Try this instead: 'Tsukaimasu ka' asks 'will it use?', which sounds like the ATM itself is using the card. For 'can be used', say 'tsukaemasu ka': 'Kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka.' The potential form 'tsukaemasu' is the natural choice here.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask whether this ATM accepts foreign cards?
Show a sample answer
このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。 (Kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka.)
This uses the potential form 'tsukaemasu' plus 'ka' for a polite question. You could also ask 'gaikoku no kaado wa tsukaemasu ka' and be understood.
2The screen asks how much you want to withdraw. Say 'Five thousand yen, please.'
Show a sample answer
五千円お願いします。 (Gosen en onegaishimasu.)
'Onegaishimasu' makes the request polite. 'Gosen en' is 5,000 yen; for 10,000 yen say 'ichiman en'.
3You want to know the fee before confirming. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
手数料はいくらですか。 (Tesuuryō wa ikura desu ka.)
'Tesuuryou' means fee and 'ikura desu ka' asks the price. You can also point to the fee on the screen and say 'kore wa nan desu ka' (what is this?).
Ask 'Kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka' before you start, say 'Ichiman en onegaishimasu' to choose an amount, and check 'Tesuuryou wa ikura desu ka' before the final confirmation.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr