In this workshop you will practice a short, polite exchange about safety. You will ask whether the immediate area is safe, listen to a positive or negative answer, and respond appropriately. The focus is on two question forms and two common replies. You will also hear a longer answer that adds a time-of-day caution. All native examples come from the recordings, so you can listen and repeat exactly what you hear.
Asking the safety question
«この辺は安全ですか？» asks about this area; «ここは安全ですか？» asks about this place. Both use the polite question ending desu ka. Listen to each recording and repeat it, keeping the difference between the surrounding area and this place. The exercise is a fictional conversation for language practice, not an assessment of an actual neighborhood.
Understanding yes and no answers
A positive answer often starts with 'hai' and says the place is safe. A negative answer often starts with 'iie' and says it is not very safe. Listen for the first word: it tells you the direction of the answer. The negative form is longer, so listen to the whole line before you decide. In the longer exchange, the answer adds a time detail. It says the area is safe during the day, then asks you to be careful at night. This is not a simple yes or no; it is a yes with a caution. Understanding this kind of answer helps you respond well.
Responding and closing the exchange
After you hear the answer, show that you understood. A short acknowledgement is enough. Then thank the person. The recordings include a natural closing line from the other speaker. You do not need to invent new phrases. Use the recorded lines as your model. Practice the whole exchange from start to finish. First, play the role of the person asking. Then, play the role of the person answering. This helps you hear the same words from both sides.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
この辺は安全ですか？
Is this area safe?
Kono hen wa anzen desu ka?
ここは安全ですか？
Is this place safe?
Koko wa anzen desu ka?
はい、安全です。
Yes, it's safe.
Hai, anzen desu.
いいえ、あまり安全ではありません。
No, it's not very safe.
Iie, amari anzen de wa arimasen.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、この辺は安全ですか？
Excuse me, is this area safe?はい、昼間は安全です。でも、夜は気をつけてください。
Yes, it's safe during the day. But please be careful at night.わかりました。ありがとうございます。
I understand. Thank you.どういたしまして。良い旅を！
You're welcome. Have a good trip!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
You are a visitor in an unfamiliar neighborhood. You see a staff member and want to ask if the area is safe. You will use the recorded question and then listen to a recorded answer.
Your task: Say the question from «この辺は安全ですか？» aloud. Then play the answer from «はい、安全です。» and repeat it. Next, say the question from «ここは安全ですか？» aloud. Then play the answer from «いいえ、あまり安全ではありません。» and repeat it. Do this twice, once slowly and once at natural speed.
Reply comprehension: choose the meaning
You will hear two recorded answers. One is positive and one is negative. Your job is to understand the direction of each answer before you respond.
Your task: Listen to «はい、安全です。» and «いいえ、あまり安全ではありません。» without looking at the text. After each one, say aloud whether it means the area is safe or not very safe. Then listen to the longer recorded dialogue line «はい、昼間は安全です。でも、夜は気をつけてください。». Say aloud whether it is a simple yes, a simple no, or a yes with a caution.
Recall with correct roles
You will now practice the full exchange from the recordings. One person asks about safety, and the other answers and gives a caution. You will play both roles.
Your task: First, play the role of the asker. Say the line from «すみません、この辺は安全ですか？». Then play the answer from «はい、昼間は安全です。でも、夜は気をつけてください。» and repeat it. Next, say the acknowledgement from «わかりました。ありがとうございます。». Finally, say the closing line from «どういたしまして。良い旅を！». Then switch roles: you are the answerer. Listen to «すみません、この辺は安全ですか？» and respond with «はい、昼間は安全です。でも、夜は気をつけてください。». Listen to «わかりました。ありがとうございます。» and respond with «どういたしまして。良い旅を！».
Common questions
What is the difference between the two question forms?
«この辺は安全ですか？» asks about the surrounding area. «ここは安全ですか？» asks about this place. Listen to each complete question before repeating it.
How do I know if the answer is yes or no?
Listen to the first word. A positive answer often starts with 'hai', and a negative answer often starts with 'iie'. The negative form is longer, so listen to the whole line. In the longer exchange, the answer is positive but adds a caution about night time.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask about neighborhood safetyChecked September 2026
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