In this workshop you will practice a short, realistic exchange at a bank or currency counter. You will learn how to make the request, ask about the rate and any fee, and say how much you want to exchange. You will also hear a staff member's reply and practice understanding it. Each native example is a recorded line you can listen to and repeat. You can play both the customer and the staff member, but there is no automatic scoring, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Making the exchange request
Start with a polite opener and state what you want to do. The key pattern puts the currency you have first, then the currency you want. Listen to «ドルをユーロに両替したいです。» and repeat it slowly. This one sentence is enough to begin the exchange. If you want to be extra polite at the counter, you can add a short apology before it, as in «すみません、ドルをユーロに両替したいです。». Notice that the meaning stays the same: you are telling the staff what you would like to do. Practice saying «ドルをユーロに両替したいです。» until it feels smooth, then try «すみません、ドルをユーロに両替したいです。» with the opener.
Checking the rate and the fee
Before you agree, ask two questions. First, ask about today's exchange rate with «今日の為替レートはいくらですか。». This tells you how many yen one euro costs, or in a different setting, how much of the target currency you will get. Second, ask whether there is a commission with «手数料はかかりますか。». Banks and exchange offices may charge a separate fee or include it in the rate, so asking helps you compare. In the recorded dialogue, the staff member answers both questions in one reply, «かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。». Listen for the rate and the fee, then check your understanding with the exercises below.
Stating the amount and finishing the exchange
When you are ready, say the amount you want to exchange. Use «千ドルを両替してください。» as your model: put the amount and currency first, then the polite request ending. You can change the number to match your situation. In the dialogue, the customer also asks about a passport, and the staff member asks for it and points to a form. Listen to «わかりました。千ドルを両替してください。パスポートは必要ですか。» and «はい、パスポートをお願いします。こちらにご記入ください。» to hear how the exchange continues. You do not need to invent new phrases; use the recorded lines as your script and practice both roles.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ドルをユーロに両替したいです。
I'd like to exchange dollars for euros.
doru o yūro ni ryōgae shitai desu
今日の為替レートはいくらですか。
What is today's exchange rate?
kyō no kawase rēto wa ikura desu ka
手数料はかかりますか。
Is there a commission or fee?
tesūryō wa kakarimasu ka
千ドルを両替してください。
Please exchange one thousand dollars.
sen doru o ryōgae shite kudasai
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、ドルをユーロに両替したいです。
Excuse me, I'd like to exchange dollars for euros.かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。
Certainly. Today's exchange rate is 150 yen per euro. The commission is 500 yen.わかりました。千ドルを両替してください。パスポートは必要ですか。
I understand. Please exchange one thousand dollars. Is a passport required?はい、パスポートをお願いします。こちらにご記入ください。
Yes, your passport, please. Please fill in this form.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: customer at the counter
You are at a bank counter. You have dollars and want euros. The staff member is ready to help.
Your task: Say the line from «ドルをユーロに両替したいです。» to start. Then ask the rate with «今日の為替レートはいくらですか。» and the fee with «手数料はかかりますか。». Finally, state that you want to exchange one thousand dollars using «千ドルを両替してください。». Say all four lines out loud in order.
Reply comprehension: what did the staff say?
You have just asked about the rate and the fee. The staff member replies with «かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。».
Your task: Listen to «かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。» once. Then choose the correct answer: (a) The rate is 150 yen per euro and the fee is 500 yen. (b) The rate is 500 yen per euro and the fee is 150 yen. (c) There is no fee. After choosing, listen again and check.
Recall with correct roles: customer and staff
You will now play both roles in the recorded dialogue. First be the customer, then be the staff member.
Your task: As the customer, say «すみません、ドルをユーロに両替したいです。», then «わかりました。千ドルを両替してください。パスポートは必要ですか。». As the staff member, say «かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。», then «はい、パスポートをお願いします。こちらにご記入ください。». Do this without looking at the text. If you forget a line, listen to the recording once and try again.
Common questions
Do I need to use all the recorded lines in one conversation?
No. The recordings give you a full model exchange, but you can practice just the parts you need. For example, you can start with «ドルをユーロに両替したいです。» and «今日の為替レートはいくらですか。» only. As you get comfortable, add «手数料はかかりますか。» and «千ドルを両替してください。». The dialogue lines «すみません、ドルをユーロに両替したいです。» through «はい、パスポートをお願いします。こちらにご記入ください。» show how a full exchange sounds, but you can use shorter combinations in real situations.
What if the staff member says something I do not understand?
You can ask them to repeat or speak more slowly. In this workshop, focus on the recorded lines first. The staff reply in «かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。» gives the rate and fee, and «はい、パスポートをお願いします。こちらにご記入ください。» asks for your passport and a form. If you hear these key words, you can follow the exchange. Practice listening to «かしこまりました。今日の為替レートは一ユーロ百五十円です。手数料は五百円です。» and «はい、パスポートをお願いします。こちらにご記入ください。» until you recognize the important numbers and requests.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: exchange currencyChecked September 2026
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