In this workshop you will practice polite Japanese for getting someone's attention, asking for help, and asking where a place is. You will also practice understanding a simple direction. Each native line is provided as a recording reference, and you will see its English meaning before you use it. You can practice alone by reading both roles aloud, or with a partner by swapping roles. The goal is to respond appropriately in a short, polite exchange.
Getting attention and asking for help
Start by getting the other person's attention politely. The line «すみません、ちょっとお聞きしてもいいですか。» means “Excuse me, may I ask you something?” Use it when you want to begin a short request. If you need assistance rather than information, the line «ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか。» means “Could you help me a little?” It is a polite way to ask for help. In a simple exchange, one person may say «すみません、ちょっとお聞きしてもいいですか。», and the other person can respond with «はい、何ですか。», which means “Yes, what is it?” This shows that the listener is ready to hear your request. Practice saying each line slowly, then repeat it at a natural speed. Keep your voice calm and polite.
Asking where a place is
When you need to find a place, you can ask a short question. The line «駅はどこですか。» means “Where is the station?” Use this pattern when you want to know the location of a place. In a short exchange, after getting attention, one person may ask «駅はどこですか。», and the other person may answer with a direction. The question is direct and polite enough for a brief interaction with a stranger or staff member. Practice the question with a rising intonation at the end. Do not add extra words you have not practiced; keep the question short and clear.
Understanding a simple direction
Listen for two key actions in a direction: going straight and turning. The line «この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。» means “Go straight along this street and turn right, please.” This tells you to continue forward on the current street and then turn right. The phrase “on the right” would describe a location, but here the instruction is to turn right. In the recorded exchange, the answer «この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。» gives this direction. When you hear it, first identify the street action, then the turn. Practice repeating the direction after the recording, and then try to say it from memory. If you are the listener, you can confirm by repeating the direction back, but only if you have practiced that phrase.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
すみません、ちょっとお聞きしてもいいですか。
Excuse me, may I ask you something?
Sumimasen, chotto o-kiki shite mo ii desu ka.
駅はどこですか。
Where is the station?
Eki wa doko desu ka.
この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。
Go straight along this street and turn right, please.
Kono michi o massugu itte, migi ni magatte kudasai.
ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか。
Could you help me a little?
Chotto tetsudatte moraemasu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、ちょっとお聞きしてもいいですか。
Excuse me, may I ask you something?はい、何ですか。
Yes, what is it?駅はどこですか。
Where is the station?この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。
Go straight along this street and turn right, please.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided polite exchange
You are a visitor who needs to ask a staff member for help. You will read the visitor's part aloud. The staff member's part is provided by the recording.
Your task: Read «すみません、ちょっとお聞きしてもいいですか。» aloud to get attention. Then, after the staff member's reply, read «駅はどこですか。» to ask where the station is. Finally, listen to the staff member's direction and repeat it aloud.
Choose the correct reply
You hear someone say «すみません、ちょっとお聞きしてもいいですか。». You are the listener and want to show you are ready to help. Two possible replies are shown below. Only one is taught in the recordings.
Your task: Choose the best reply: A) «はい、何ですか。» or B) «この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。». Then say your chosen reply aloud. After that, imagine the other person asks «駅はどこですか。». Which recorded line is the suitable answer: «この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。» or «はい、何ですか。»? Say the correct answer aloud.
Recall and role swap
You will recall the polite lines from memory. First, you play the visitor. Then you swap roles and play the staff member. The chronological order of the exchange stays the same: attention, reply, question, direction.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, say the visitor's attention line and question. Then say the staff member's reply and direction. After that, swap roles: say the staff member's lines from memory while the visitor's lines are played from the recording. Finally, say the full exchange in order from memory.
Common questions
Can I practice these lines alone without a partner?
Yes. You can play the recordings and read the other role aloud. For example, play the staff member's lines and read the visitor's lines yourself. Then swap: read the staff member's lines aloud while the visitor's lines are played. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer key to check your choices and recall.
What should I focus on when I hear the direction line?
Listen for two actions: going straight and turning. The line «この道をまっすぐ行って、右に曲がってください。» tells you to go straight along the street and then turn right. Do not confuse a turn instruction with a location on the right. Practice repeating the direction after the recording, then try to say it from memory.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: asking for help politelyChecked September 2026
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