In this speaking workshop you will practice polite Japanese questions about a security deposit. You will learn how to ask the amount, ask whether the deposit is refunded, and ask about refund conditions. You will also hear a short exchange between a customer and a staff member, and you will take both roles. The focus is on clear, polite questions you can use when renting a room. Listen to each recording, repeat it aloud, and then use it in the tasks below.
Asking the Amount of the Deposit
Start with the most direct question. The line «敷金はいくらですか？» means "How much is the deposit?" The word for deposit is at the beginning, and the question asks for an amount. Repeat it slowly, then at a natural speed. When you speak, keep your voice calm and polite. In a rental office, you can begin with a short attention word and then ask the question. The recorded dialogue opens with «すみません、敷金はいくらですか？», which means "Excuse me, how much is the deposit?" The first word gets the other person's attention, and the rest is the same question. Practice «敷金はいくらですか？» alone first, then add the opening word and say «すみません、敷金はいくらですか？». This helps you sound natural without changing the core question.
Asking About Refunds and Conditions
Next, practice asking whether the deposit comes back. The line «敷金は返金されますか？» means "Will the deposit be refunded?" The key word means refund. The line «退去時に敷金は戻りますか？» means "Will the deposit be returned when I move out?" Here the question adds the time of moving out. If you want more detail, use the polite request in «敷金の返金条件を教えてください。», which means "Please tell me the refund conditions for the deposit." The word for conditions is near the end. These three questions move from simple to detailed. Say «敷金は返金されますか？» first, then «退去時に敷金は戻りますか？», then «敷金の返金条件を教えてください。». Keep the ending polite and clear. In a real conversation, you can choose one question that matches what you need to know.
A Short Customer and Staff Exchange
Now listen to a short exchange. The customer asks the amount with «すみません、敷金はいくらですか？». The staff member answers with «敷金は家賃の2ヶ月分です。», which means "The deposit is two months' rent." The customer then asks about moving out with «退去時に敷金は戻りますか？», which is the customer's follow-up question about whether the deposit is returned when moving out. The staff member replies with «はい、部屋に損傷がなければ戻ります。», which means "Yes, it will be returned if there is no damage to the room." Notice the roles: the customer asks questions, and the staff member gives information. When you practice, say both roles. First be the customer, then be the staff member. This helps you understand the whole exchange, not only your own lines. These are the terms stated in this fictional exchange; two months and the refund condition are not rules for every rental. The practice checks what this speaker said.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
敷金はいくらですか？
How much is the deposit?
Shikikin wa ikura desu ka?
敷金は返金されますか？
Will the deposit be refunded?
Shikikin wa henkin saremasu ka?
敷金の返金条件を教えてください。
Please tell me the refund conditions for the deposit.
Shikikin no henkin jōken o oshiete kudasai.
退去時に敷金は戻りますか？
Will the deposit be returned when I move out?
Taikyo ji ni shikikin wa modorimasu ka?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、敷金はいくらですか？
Excuse me, how much is the deposit?敷金は家賃の2ヶ月分です。
The deposit is two months' rent.退去時に敷金は戻りますか？
Will the deposit be returned when I move out?はい、部屋に損傷がなければ戻ります。
Yes, it will be returned if there is no damage to the room.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer About the Deposit
Imagine you are at a rental office. You are the customer. A staff member is ready to help you. Use the recordings to ask about the deposit amount and then about the refund.
Your task: Say the customer's first question using «すみません、敷金はいくらですか？». Then imagine the staff member answers with «敷金は家賃の2ヶ月分です。». After that, ask the customer's second question using «退去時に敷金は戻りますか？». Finally, imagine the staff member answers with «はい、部屋に損傷がなければ戻ります。». Say all four lines aloud in order.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Meaning
You will hear or read a staff reply. Your job is to understand what it means. This task uses the staff lines from the exchange.
Your task: Read or listen to «敷金は家賃の2ヶ月分です。». Does it mean the deposit is two months' rent, or that the deposit is returned after moving out? Then read or listen to «はい、部屋に損傷がなければ戻ります。». Does it mean the deposit is always returned, or that it is returned if there is no damage to the room? Say your answers aloud.
Recall and Role Play: Ask, Answer, and Check
This time, try to remember the lines without looking at them first. You will play both the customer and the staff member. The scene is a rental office.
Your task: As the customer, ask how much the deposit is. Use the polite question from the recordings. As the staff member, answer with the amount. Then, as the customer, ask whether the deposit is returned when moving out. As the staff member, answer with the condition. Say all four lines aloud.
Common questions
What is the difference between asking the amount and asking about a refund?
Asking the amount uses «敷金はいくらですか？», which means "How much is the deposit?" Asking about a refund uses «敷金は返金されますか？», which means "Will the deposit be refunded?" The first question asks for a number or amount. The second asks whether money comes back. Use the amount question first, then the refund question if you need more information.
Can I use these questions in a real rental office?
Yes. These are polite questions for a rental office or a conversation with a landlord. You can ask the amount with «敷金はいくらですか？» or «すみません、敷金はいくらですか？», and you can ask about a refund with «敷金は返金されますか？» or «退去時に敷金は戻りますか？». If you need details, use the polite request in «敷金の返金条件を教えてください。». If the staff member answers with «敷金は家賃の2ヶ月分です。», that means the deposit is two months' rent. Speak slowly and clearly, and listen for the answer.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about depositChecked September 2026
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