In this workshop you practice a short post office conversation about insuring a package. You will ask whether insurance is possible, ask about the coverage limit, ask about the fee, and ask what to do if the package is damaged or lost. Each native line is given with its English meaning, then you use it in guided speaking tasks. You can play both roles when audio is available, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your own answers with the keys provided.
Asking for insurance and understanding the reply
Start with a polite request. «すみません、この荷物に保険をかけたいのですが。» means "Excuse me, I'd like to insure this package." The staff member can accept it with «はい、かけられますよ。補償は最高で十万円までです。», which means "Yes, you can. The maximum coverage is 100,000 yen." Notice that the reply gives both permission and a limit. When you hear a limit, you can ask a follow-up about the maximum. «補償はいくらまでつきますか。» means "Up to how much coverage can I get?" This is useful when you want the number stated clearly. A simple exchange is: you say «すみません、この荷物に保険をかけたいのですが。», the staff member says «はい、かけられますよ。補償は最高で十万円までです。», and then you can confirm the limit with «補償はいくらまでつきますか。». Keep your voice calm and polite, and say the amount clearly when you repeat it.
Asking about fees and what to do after a problem
After you know the coverage, ask about cost. «保険料は別途かかりますか。» means "Is there an additional insurance fee?" The staff member can answer with «はい、荷物の価値に応じて保険料が変わります。», which means "Yes, the insurance fee varies depending on the value of the package." This tells you that the fee is not fixed. If you want to know what happens after a problem, use «壊れたりなくなったりした場合、どうすればいいですか。», which means "If it gets damaged or lost, what should I do?" This question asks for the next step, not for a yes or no answer. In a real conversation, listen for whether the reply is about permission, a limit, a fee, or a procedure. Then choose the matching question from the ones you have practiced.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
この荷物に保険をかけられますか。
Can I insure this package?
Kono nimotsu ni hoken o kakeraremasu ka.
補償はいくらまでつきますか。
Up to how much coverage can I get?
Hoshō wa ikura made tsukimasu ka.
保険料は別途かかりますか。
Is there an additional insurance fee?
Hokenryō wa betto kakarimasu ka.
壊れたりなくなったりした場合、どうすればいいですか。
If it gets damaged or lost, what should I do?
Kowaretari nakunattari shita baai, dō sureba ii desu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、この荷物に保険をかけたいのですが。
Excuse me, I'd like to insure this package.はい、かけられますよ。補償は最高で十万円までです。
Yes, you can. The maximum coverage is 100,000 yen.保険料は別途かかりますか。
Is there an additional insurance fee?はい、荷物の価値に応じて保険料が変わります。
Yes, the insurance fee varies depending on the value of the package.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: request insurance
You are at a post office counter with a package. The staff member is ready to help. You will play the customer and say the polite request. If audio is available, play the staff reply after your line.
Your task: Say the customer line that means "Excuse me, I'd like to insure this package." Then listen to or read the staff reply that means "Yes, you can. The maximum coverage is 100,000 yen." After that, ask the follow-up question that means "Up to how much coverage can I get?"
Reply comprehension: choose the matching question
You will hear or read a staff reply. Your job is to choose which customer question it answers. The reply is about fees and package value.
Your task: Read or listen to the staff line that means "Yes, the insurance fee varies depending on the value of the package." Then choose the customer question that matches it: (a) the question that means "Is there an additional insurance fee?" or (b) the question that means "If it gets damaged or lost, what should I do?" Say your choice aloud.
Recall with correct roles: customer and staff
Now recall the conversation without looking at the lines. You will play both roles in order. First you are the customer, then the staff member, then the customer again. Keep the same order: request, reply, follow-up question.
Your task: As the customer, say the line that means "Excuse me, I'd like to insure this package." As the staff member, say the line that means "Yes, you can. The maximum coverage is 100,000 yen." As the customer again, say the line that means "Up to how much coverage can I get?" Do not change the order.
Common questions
Can I practice both the customer and staff roles?
Yes. You can say the customer lines and the staff lines yourself. If audio is available, play the staff audio after your customer line. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys in each exercise to check your order and choice.
What should I do if I do not understand the staff reply?
Listen for key words such as permission, a coverage limit, a fee, or a procedure. Then match the reply to the question you practiced. For example, a reply about a varying fee matches the fee question, and a reply about a maximum amount matches the coverage limit question.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about insuranceChecked September 2026
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