In this workshop you will practice a short, useful exchange: asking for a recommendation and understanding a simple answer. You will hear several ways to ask, then follow a short scene between a visitor and a staff member. Each native line is shown with its English meaning before you use it, so you always know what you are saying. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer checks to judge your own speaking.
Asking for a Recommendation
Start with a short, general question. «何がおすすめですか。» means "What do you recommend?" It works in many shops and restaurants. If you want ideas for places to visit, use «観光は何がおすすめですか。», which means "What do you recommend for sightseeing?" A softer, location-based option is «この辺でおすすめの場所はありますか。», meaning "Is there a recommended place around here?" You can also ask «おすすめは何ですか。», "What is your recommendation?" All four are polite and easy to say. Choose one, say it clearly, and keep a friendly tone. When you speak, slow down and pronounce each part; a calm, clear question is easier for the other person to answer.
A Short Scene: Visitor and Staff
Now follow a short scene. A visitor asks «すみません、観光は何がおすすめですか。», which means "Excuse me, what do you recommend for sightseeing?" The staff member answers with «そうですね。古い寺と川の近くの公園がおすすめです。»: "Let me see. The old temple and the park near the river are recommended." The visitor replies with «ありがとうございます。それはどこにありますか。», "Thank you. Where is that located?" The staff member finishes with «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。»: "It is about ten minutes on foot from the station. I will show you a map." Notice the roles: the visitor asks and thanks, and the staff member suggests places and explains the location. In «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。», the phrase about ten minutes on foot describes the distance, not a direction to turn.
Listening for the Key Information
When you hear an answer like «そうですね。古い寺と川の近くの公園がおすすめです。», listen for the recommended places. Here they are an old temple and a park near the river. Then listen for a location answer like «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。», which gives a walking time from the station and offers a map. You do not need to understand every word. Focus on the place names and the travel time. If you are the speaker, you can repeat the place name to check: say the name you heard, then wait for a reply. This keeps the exchange simple and polite. Practice both roles so you can ask and also understand the answer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
何がおすすめですか。
What do you recommend?
Nani ga osusume desu ka.
観光は何がおすすめですか。
What do you recommend for sightseeing?
Kankō wa nani ga osusume desu ka.
この辺でおすすめの場所はありますか。
Is there a recommended place around here?
Kono hen de osusume no basho wa arimasu ka.
おすすめは何ですか。
What is your recommendation?
Osusume wa nan 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、観光は何がおすすめですか。
Excuse me, what do you recommend for sightseeing?そうですね。古い寺と川の近くの公園がおすすめです。
Let me see. The old temple and the park near the river are recommended.ありがとうございます。それはどこにありますか。
Thank you. Where is that located?駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。
It is about ten minutes on foot from the station. I will show you a map.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 at a tourist information desk. The staff member is ready to help. Use the audio for both roles if you are practicing alone.
Your task: Say the visitor's opening question from «すみません、観光は何がおすすめですか。». Then play the staff reply «そうですね。古い寺と川の近くの公園がおすすめです。» and listen for the two recommended places. After that, say the visitor's follow-up from «ありがとうございます。それはどこにありますか。».
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Answer
You hear the staff member's full answer. You need to understand the location information.
Your task: Listen to «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。». Then choose the correct meaning: (a) It is about ten minutes on foot from the station, and a map will be shown. (b) It is a direction to turn right at the station. Say your choice aloud, then say the staff line «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。» yourself.
Recall with Correct Roles
Now recall the whole scene without looking at the lines. You will play both roles in turn.
Your task: First, as the visitor, say the opening question from «すみません、観光は何がおすすめですか。». Then, as the staff member, say the recommendation from «そうですね。古い寺と川の近くの公園がおすすめです。». Next, as the visitor, say the thank-you and location question from «ありがとうございます。それはどこにありますか。». Finally, as the staff member, say the location answer from «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。».
Common questions
Which question should I use first?
Start with «何がおすすめですか。» for a general recommendation. If you want sightseeing ideas, use «観光は何がおすすめですか。». If you want a place nearby, use «この辺でおすすめの場所はありますか。». All are polite, so choose the one that fits the situation and say it clearly.
What should I listen for in the answer?
Listen for the recommended places, as in «そうですね。古い寺と川の近くの公園がおすすめです。», and for the location information, as in «駅から歩いて十分ぐらいです。地図を見せますね。». You do not need every word. Focus on place names and the walking time, then repeat the place name to check if you are unsure.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for a recommendationChecked September 2026
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