In this workshop you will practice a short, polite exchange about finding a taxi. You will use the key question and reply in three speaking tasks that move from a supported first attempt, to an unexpected complication, and finally to a realistic follow-up decision. You can practice both roles aloud, and use the answer keys to check yourself.
Useful Lines for Asking About a Taxi
Start with a polite question that works in many situations. «タクシーはどこで拾えますか？» means 'Where can I find a taxi?' and is a good general way to ask where you can pick up or hail a taxi. If you want to ask specifically for the taxi stand, use «タクシー乗り場はどこですか？», which means 'Where is the taxi stand?' The word 'noriba' means boarding place. When you need someone to call a taxi for you, for example at a hotel, use «タクシーを呼んでもらえますか？», meaning 'Could you call a taxi for me?' If you are already waiting somewhere and want to know if taxis stop there, ask «ここにタクシーは来ますか？», which means 'Do taxis come here?' These four questions cover common beginner situations.
Understanding a Simple Reply
In a short dialogue, a traveler asks for a taxi and a local person answers. The traveler says «すみません、タクシーはどこで拾えますか？», which means 'Excuse me, where can I find a taxi?' The local person replies «駅の前にタクシー乗り場がありますよ。», meaning 'There is a taxi stand in front of the station.' The traveler checks the information by repeating part of it: «駅の前ですね。ありがとうございます。» means 'In front of the station, right? Thank you.' The local person confirms with «はい、そうです。気をつけて。», which means 'Yes, that's right. Take care.' Notice that the reply gives a location: in front of the station. It does not tell you to turn right or left. Listen for the place word and the word 'mae' (in front).
Speaking Tips for This Exchange
Speak slowly and clearly. Use a polite tone because you are asking a stranger for help. When you repeat the location to check, use a rising intonation for the confirmation. If you are playing the local person, speak calmly and clearly. You can practice both roles: first as the traveler asking the question, then as the local person giving the reply. Focus on the question word 'doko' (where) and the location word 'mae' (in front).
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
タクシーはどこで拾えますか？
Where can I find a taxi?
Takushī wa doko de hiroemasu ka?
タクシー乗り場はどこですか？
Where is the taxi stand?
Takushī noriba wa doko desu ka?
タクシーを呼んでもらえますか？
Could you call a taxi for me?
Takushī o yonde moraemasu ka?
ここにタクシーは来ますか？
Do taxis come here?
Koko ni takushī wa kimasu ka?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、タクシーはどこで拾えますか？
Excuse me, where can I find a taxi?駅の前にタクシー乗り場がありますよ。
There is a taxi stand in front of the station.駅の前ですね。ありがとうございます。
In front of the station, right? Thank you.はい、そうです。気をつけて。
Yes, that's right. Take care.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Supported First Attempt: Ask at the Station
You are at a train station and need a taxi. A station attendant is standing nearby. You will ask where you can find a taxi, and the attendant will answer with a location.
Your task: Play the role of the traveler. Say the polite question «すみません、タクシーはどこで拾えますか？» aloud. Then play the role of the attendant and reply with «駅の前にタクシー乗り場がありますよ。». After that, as the traveler, confirm the location with «駅の前ですね。ありがとうございます。». Finally, as the attendant, close with «はい、そうです。気をつけて。». Do the full exchange once, then switch roles and do it again.
Unexpected Complication: The Taxi Stand Is Not There
You ask a local person where to find a taxi. They tell you there is a taxi stand in front of the station, but when you go there, you cannot find it. You return and need to ask again, this time specifically for the taxi stand.
Your task: First, as the traveler, ask the general question «すみません、タクシーはどこで拾えますか？». As the local person, reply «駅の前にタクシー乗り場がありますよ。». Then, as the traveler, say that you could not find it and ask specifically for the taxi stand using «タクシー乗り場はどこですか？». As the local person, repeat the location «駅の前にタクシー乗り場がありますよ。». Finally, as the traveler, confirm with «駅の前ですね。ありがとうございます。».
Follow-Up Decision: Ask the Hotel to Call a Taxi
You are at a hotel and the taxi stand is far away. You decide to ask the hotel staff to call a taxi for you instead of walking to the stand.
Your task: As the traveler, ask the hotel staff to call a taxi using «タクシーを呼んでもらえますか？». As the staff member, reply «はい、そうです。気をつけて。» to confirm and wish you well. Then, as the traveler, thank the staff with «ありがとうございます。». Finally, as the staff member, say «はい、そうです。気をつけて。» again to close the exchange.
Common questions
What is the difference between «タクシーはどこで拾えますか？» and «タクシー乗り場はどこですか？»?
«タクシーはどこで拾えますか？» means 'Where can I find a taxi?' and is a general way to ask where you can pick up a taxi. «タクシー乗り場はどこですか？» means 'Where is the taxi stand?' and asks specifically for the boarding place. Use «タクシーはどこで拾えますか？» when you just need a taxi, and «タクシー乗り場はどこですか？» when you are looking for the official stand.
How do I know if the reply is giving a location or a direction to turn?
Listen for place words like 'mae' (in front). In «駅の前にタクシー乗り場がありますよ。», the reply says 'eki no mae ni' meaning 'in front of the station.' It does not say 'migi' (right) or 'hidari' (left) as a direction to turn. So it is a location, not an instruction to turn.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for a taxi standChecked September 2026
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