In this workshop you will practice a short, useful exchange: asking where the restroom is and understanding the answer. You will hear several ways to ask, then listen to a small dialogue between two speakers. Speaker A asks a question, and Speaker B gives a location. You will repeat the lines, choose the correct reply, and then try the exchange with the roles switched. The recordings are short, so listen more than once. Focus first on the question, then on the direction words in the answer. You can play both roles yourself with the audio, but there is no automatic check, so use the answer notes after each task to compare your speaking and your choices.
Asking the Question
Start with the shortest way to ask. «トイレはどこですか。» means "Where is the restroom?" This is a direct, simple question. A slightly more polite version is «お手洗いはどこですか。», which also means "Where is the restroom?" but sounds softer. If you want to begin with an apology or a polite opener, use «すみません、トイレはどこですか。», which means "Excuse me, where is the restroom?" Another useful line is «トイレを探しています。», meaning "I am looking for the restroom." All four lines ask for the same place, but they feel a little different. «トイレはどこですか。» is short and direct. «お手洗いはどこですか。» is a polite question. «すみません、トイレはどこですか。» adds a polite opener before the question. «トイレを探しています。» explains what you are doing. For a first speaking practice, choose one line and say it slowly. Then say it again a little faster. Keep your voice calm and clear.
Understanding the Answer
Now listen to a short exchange. Speaker A asks «すみません、トイレはどこですか。», which means "Excuse me, where is the restroom?" Speaker B answers with «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。», which means "The restroom is on the second floor. It's on the right side of the elevator." This answer gives two important pieces of information: a floor and a position. The floor is the second floor. The position is the right side of the elevator. Notice that "on the right side" describes a location. It is not an instruction to turn right. Speaker A then checks the answer with «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。», which means "Second floor, right? Thank you." This is a simple way to confirm what you heard. Speaker B replies with «はい、どういたしまして。», which means "Yes, you're welcome." When you listen, try to catch the floor first, then the position. If you only catch one part, you can still ask again politely.
Putting It Together
A full exchange can be very short. First, get attention and ask: «すみません、トイレはどこですか。». Then listen for the answer: «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。». After that, confirm the key detail: «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。». Finally, listen to the closing reply: «はい、どういたしまして。». When you practice, do not rush. Say the question clearly, pause, and then imagine the answer. If you are playing both roles, change your voice slightly for each speaker so your ears can follow the turn change. You can also practice with the other question lines. For example, you can open with «すみません、トイレはどこですか。» instead of «すみません、トイレはどこですか。», or you can use «トイレを探しています。» when you want to say that you are looking for the restroom. The answer line «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。» stays useful because it gives a floor and a position. The confirmation line «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。» helps you check that you understood the floor. The closing line «はい、どういたしまして。» shows that the exchange is finished.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
トイレはどこですか。
Where is the restroom?
Toire wa doko desu ka.
お手洗いはどこですか。
Where is the restroom? (more polite)
Otearai wa doko desu ka.
すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka.
トイレを探しています。
I am looking for the restroom.
Toire o sagashite imasu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。
The restroom is on the second floor. It's on the right side of the elevator.二階ですね。ありがとうございます。
Second floor, right? Thank you.はい、どういたしまして。
Yes, you're welcome.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
Play the recorded lines one at a time. First listen to Speaker A ask the question, then listen to Speaker B give the location. Repeat each line after you hear it.
Your task: Say the question from «すみません、トイレはどこですか。» out loud. Then say the answer from «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。» out loud. After that, say the confirmation from «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。» and the closing line from «はい、どういたしまして。». Do the whole exchange once more, but this time say Speaker A's lines a little more slowly and Speaker B's lines a little more clearly.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Detail
Listen to «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。» without reading anything else. It is the answer from Speaker B. Then look at the two choices below and choose the one that matches the recording.
Your task: Choice A: The restroom is on the second floor, on the right side of the elevator. Choice B: The restroom is on the right side of the second floor elevator. Say your choice out loud, then play «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。» again to compare. After that, listen to «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。» and decide whether Speaker A is confirming the floor or asking a new question.
Recall and Switch Roles
Cover or hide any notes. You will now try the exchange from memory, then switch roles. Use the recorded lines as your model, but do not read them while you speak.
Your task: First, play Speaker A's question from «すみません、トイレはどこですか。» and answer it yourself using the meaning of «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。». Then play Speaker B's answer from «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。» and ask the question yourself using the meaning of «すみません、トイレはどこですか。». Finally, add the confirmation from «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。» and the closing line from «はい、どういたしまして。» in the correct order.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every question line before I practice?
No. Start with one question line, such as «トイレはどこですか。» or «すみません、トイレはどこですか。», and practice it until it feels comfortable. Then add another line later. The answer line «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。» is useful because it gives both a floor and a position, so you can practice listening for those two details even if you only use one question form.
What should I do if I only understand part of the answer?
Listen for the floor first, then for the position. In «トイレは二階です。エレベーターの右側です。», the floor comes before the position near the elevator. If you catch only one part, repeat the question politely and listen again. You can also use a short confirmation like «二階ですね。ありがとうございます。» to check the floor before you move on.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for the restroomChecked September 2026
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