In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic exchange about finding a metro station. You will first ask the question, then listen to a simple set of directions, and finally check how long the walk takes. The recordings give you clear models for each step, so you can repeat them aloud and build confidence before trying the exchange on your own. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer checks to confirm your choices.
Asking the question
Start with a polite opening. A simple question like «一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。» means "Where is the nearest metro station?" If you want to sound a little softer, you can use «この近くに地下鉄の駅はありますか。», which means "Is there a metro station near here?" Both are useful when you approach someone. A fuller, polite version is «すみません、一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。», which means "Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?" Notice that the opening word gets the person's attention before the question. Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed. Keep your voice calm and friendly.
Understanding the directions
When someone answers, listen for two common instructions. «まっすぐ行ってください。» means "Please go straight." «あの角を右に曲がってください。» means "Please turn right at that corner." These are short and clear. In a longer answer, you may hear «この道をまっすぐ行って、次の角を右に曲がってください。», which means "Go straight along this street, then turn right at the next corner." Here the person gives two steps: first go straight, then turn right. The word for "next" tells you which corner to use. Listen for the order of the actions. If you hear "go straight" first, do not turn yet. If you hear "turn right" second, that is your next action.
Checking the time and the side
After you understand the main directions, it is natural to check the walking time. «右ですね。駅までどのくらいかかりますか。» means "Right, got it. About how long does it take to the station?" This shows you understood and want one more detail. The answer may include both time and side. «歩いて五分ぐらいです。駅は左側にあります。» means "About five minutes on foot. The station is on the left side." Here you learn two things: the walk is short, and the station is on the left. Remember that "on the left side" describes a location, not an instruction to turn left. Listen carefully for whether the person says "turn" or "on the side."
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Where is the nearest metro station?
Ichiban chikai chikatetsu no eki wa doko desu ka.
この近くに地下鉄の駅はありますか。
Is there a metro station near here?
Kono chikaku ni chikatetsu no eki wa arimasu ka.
まっすぐ行ってください。
Please go straight.
Massugu itte kudasai.
あの角を右に曲がってください。
Please turn right at that corner.
Ano kado o migi ni magatte kudasai.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?この道をまっすぐ行って、次の角を右に曲がってください。
Go straight along this street, then turn right at the next corner.右ですね。駅までどのくらいかかりますか。
Right, got it. About how long does it take to the station?歩いて五分ぐらいです。駅は左側にあります。
About five minutes on foot. The station is on the left side.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 follow the first direction
Imagine you are standing on a street and you need the metro. You will play the person asking. Use the recordings to guide your lines.
Your task: First, say the polite question from «すみません、一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。». Then listen to the answer in «この道をまっすぐ行って、次の角を右に曲がってください。». After you hear it, repeat the two actions in English: go straight, then turn right at the next corner. Finally, say the question from «右ですね。駅までどのくらいかかりますか。» to check the time.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct meaning
You will hear a short reply and choose what it means. This checks whether you understand direction words and location words.
Your task: Listen to «まっすぐ行ってください。» and «あの角を右に曲がってください。». For each one, choose the correct meaning: (a) go straight, (b) turn right at that corner. Then listen to «歩いて五分ぐらいです。駅は左側にあります。». Choose the correct meaning: (a) the station is on the left side, (b) turn left at the station. Say your answers aloud before checking.
Recall with correct roles: who says what
In this task you will remember which speaker says which line. The recordings mark the asking speaker as A and the answering speaker as B.
Your task: Listen to «すみません、一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。», «この道をまっすぐ行って、次の角を右に曲がってください。», «右ですね。駅までどのくらいかかりますか。», and «歩いて五分ぐらいです。駅は左側にあります。». Decide who says each line: A or B. Then say the lines aloud in the correct order, first as A, then as B, then as A, then as B. Try to do it without reading.
Common questions
What is the difference between «一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。» and «この近くに地下鉄の駅はありますか。»?
«一番近い地下鉄の駅はどこですか。» means "Where is the nearest metro station?" and «この近くに地下鉄の駅はありますか。» means "Is there a metro station near here?" The first asks for the location of the nearest station. The second asks whether a station exists nearby. Both are polite and useful, but they ask slightly different things.
How can I tell a direction from a location in the answers?
Listen for the verb. «あの角を右に曲がってください。» means "Please turn right at that corner," so it tells you an action to take. «歩いて五分ぐらいです。駅は左側にあります。» means "About five minutes on foot. The station is on the left side," so it describes where the station is. A turning instruction tells you what to do; a location phrase tells you where something is.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for the nearest metro stationChecked September 2026
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