In this workshop you practice a short, polite exchange about a post office. You will ask where it is, check the opening hours, and buy stamps. Each native line is shown with its English meaning before you try it, so you always know what you are saying. You can play both roles with the audio. Use the answer checks to judge yourself as you go.
Starting the conversation politely
To stop a stranger and ask for directions, begin with a polite opening. The line «すみません、郵便局はどこですか。» means "Excuse me, where is the post office?" The first word gets attention and softens the interruption, and the rest asks for the location of the post office. If you are not sure a post office exists nearby, use «この近くに郵便局はありますか。», which means "Is there a post office near here?" This asks about existence rather than a specific spot. Say both lines slowly at first, then at a natural speed. Keep your voice calm and friendly, and make eye contact before you speak.
Asking about opening hours
After you find the post office, you often need to know when it is open. The line «何時から何時までですか。» means "From what time to what time is it?" Use it to ask about the opening and closing times in one question. The recorded answer supplies only a closing time, as in «五時までです。切手は窓口で買えますよ。», which means "It is open until five. You can buy stamps at the counter." Listen for the time word and the word for "until." If you only need the closing time, you can ask a shorter question, as in «何時までですか。», which means "Until what time is it open?" Practice the closing-time question and the recorded answer about five o’clock; this answer does not supply an opening time.
Buying stamps at the counter
At the counter, you can ask for stamps by saying the number and the counter word for flat things. The line «切手を五枚ください。» means "Five stamps, please." Put the number and the counter word before the word for "please." The recorded line «五時までです。切手は窓口で買えますよ。» tells you that stamps are sold at the counter, so you know where to go. When you practice, say the whole line clearly and add a small nod. For this exercise, keep the recorded request for five stamps. Learn other quantities separately before changing the number.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
すみません、郵便局はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the post office?
sumimasen, yūbinkyoku wa doko desu ka
この近くに郵便局はありますか。
Is there a post office near here?
kono chikaku ni yūbinkyoku wa arimasu ka
何時から何時までですか。
From what time to what time is it?
nanji kara nanji made desu ka
切手を五枚ください。
Five stamps, please.
kitte o gomai kudasai
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、郵便局はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the post office?あの銀行の隣です。
It is next to that bank.何時までですか。
Until what time is it open?五時までです。切手は窓口で買えますよ。
It is open until five. You can buy stamps at the counter.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 locate
Imagine you are standing on a street and you need to find a post office. You will play the person asking. A partner or the audio plays the other role.
Your task: Say the polite opening line «すみません、郵便局はどこですか。» to ask where the post office is. Then listen to the answer «あの銀行の隣です。», which means "It is next to that bank." Repeat the answer once to check that you understood the location.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct time
You have found the post office and you want to know its hours. You will play a short recorded answer and choose what it means.
Your task: Ask the recorded closing-time question «何時までですか。». Then play «五時までです。切手は窓口で買えますよ。». Decide whether the answer says until five or until nine. Say your choice in English.
Recall with correct roles: buy stamps
First recall the street conversation about the post office’s location and closing time. Then move to a separate scene at the counter and practise the stamp request on its own.
Your task: Recreate «すみません、郵便局はどこですか。», «あの銀行の隣です。», «何時までですか。», and «五時までです。切手は窓口で買えますよ。» in that order. Now imagine you reach the counter: say «切手を五枚ください。» from memory. This last line is a separate customer request, not a reply to the closing-time question.
Common questions
What is the difference between the two ways of asking about the post office?
One line asks where the post office is, and the other asks whether a post office exists near you. Use the first when you expect one is nearby and want its location. Use the second when you are not sure one exists in the area.
How do I ask about opening hours and then buy stamps?
First ask the hours question to learn when the post office is open. After you hear the closing time, go to the counter and say the request for stamps. The recorded line tells you that stamps are sold at the counter, so you know where to pay.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for a post officeChecked September 2026
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