In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic exchange at a metro station. You will learn how to ask for one ticket, say where you are going, and ask how much it costs. You will also practice understanding a staff member's question and a simple answer about the fare. Each native example comes from the recordings, and you will see its English meaning before you try it yourself. Speak out loud as you go. It is fine to repeat each line several times until it feels comfortable.
Asking for a ticket and saying your destination
Start with the core request. «メトロの切符を一枚ください。» means "A metro ticket, please." The word for ticket is followed by a counter for flat things, and then the polite request word. Next, tell the staff where you are going. «新宿までお願いします。» means "To Shinjuku, please." You say the destination, then a particle meaning "as far as," then a polite phrase. Together, these two lines let you begin the exchange. When you speak, keep your voice calm and clear. You do not need to rush. If you are at a staffed counter, you can say the first line, then the second line. Practice them as a pair: first ask for the ticket, then say your destination.
Asking the fare and choosing one-way
Before you pay, you may want to know the price. «新宿までいくらですか。» means "How much is it to Shinjuku?" The question word for "how much" comes at the end before the question particle. If the staff asks whether you want one-way or round-trip, you can answer with «片道を一枚ください。», which means "One one-way ticket, please." The word for "one way" is followed by the same counter and request word you learned earlier. Notice that the particle before the request word marks the ticket as the object. Practice saying the fare question, then the one-way request. These two lines help you control the purchase and avoid confusion.
Understanding the staff's question and answer
In a real exchange, the staff may ask you a question first. In the recorded dialogue, the staff says «はい。どちらまでですか。», which means "Certainly. Where to?" This is your cue to say your destination. You can answer with «新宿までお願いします。いくらですか。», which means "To Shinjuku, please. How much is it?" Then the staff may give the price and tell you to use the ticket machine. The recorded answer is «二百円です。券売機でどうぞ。», which means "It is 200 yen. Please use the ticket machine." Listen for the price and the word for ticket machine. You do not need to repeat the price, but understanding it helps you know what to pay. Practice the whole exchange: staff question, your destination and fare question, then the staff answer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
メトロの切符を一枚ください。
A metro ticket, please. (one ticket)
ME-to-ro no kip-pu o i-chi-mai ku-da-sai
新宿までお願いします。
To Shinjuku, please.
Shin-ju-ku ma-de o-ne-gai shi-ma-su
新宿までいくらですか。
How much is it to Shinjuku?
Shin-ju-ku ma-de i-ku-ra de-su ka
片道を一枚ください。
One one-way ticket, please.
ka-ta-mi-chi o i-chi-mai ku-da-sai
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、メトロの切符を一枚ください。
Excuse me, one metro ticket, please.はい。どちらまでですか。
Certainly. Where to?新宿までお願いします。いくらですか。
To Shinjuku, please. How much is it?二百円です。券売機でどうぞ。
It is 200 yen. Please use the ticket machine.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 for a ticket and give your destination
Imagine you are at a metro station counter. A staff member is ready to help you. You will play the customer. Use the recorded lines to guide your speech.
Your task: First, say the line for asking for one metro ticket. Then say the line for telling the staff your destination is Shinjuku. Say both lines out loud in order. If you want, you can pause after the first line as if the staff is listening.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct response
Imagine a staff member asks you a question. You will hear the recorded staff question and then choose how to respond. The question is about where you are going.
Your task: Listen to the recorded staff question. Then decide which of these two responses fits: (A) the line asking for a metro ticket, or (B) the line saying your destination and asking the fare. Say your chosen response out loud. Then check the answer below.
Recall and role swap: staff and customer
Now you will practice the full exchange from memory. Imagine you are first the customer, then the staff member. Use the recorded dialogue as your model. The customer asks for a ticket, the staff asks where to, the customer says the destination and asks the fare, and the staff gives the price and says to use the ticket machine.
Your task: Play the customer first. Say the customer's first line, then the customer's second line. Then switch roles and play the staff member. Say the staff's question, then the staff's answer with the price and the ticket machine instruction. Do this without looking at the lines if you can. If you forget, look at the recording references and try again.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every line before I speak?
No. You can start by reading the lines out loud while looking at the recording references. Repeat them a few times. Then try to say them without looking. It is normal to forget parts at first. Just go back to the reference and try again. The goal is to become comfortable with the sounds and the order of the exchange.
What if the staff asks a question I do not understand?
In this workshop, the main staff question is the one asking where you are going. If you hear that question, you can answer with your destination line. If you are unsure, you can politely say you do not understand, but that phrase is not taught here. For now, focus on the recorded exchange. You can also show your destination on a map or write it down. The important thing is to stay calm and use the lines you have practiced.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: buy a ticket for the metroChecked September 2026
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