In this workshop, you will practice speaking Japanese for a common travel situation: using an ATM. You will learn how to ask if a machine accepts foreign cards, say that you want to withdraw cash, ask about the fee, and understand simple prompts. The lesson uses short, polite phrases that are easy to say. You will first hear and repeat key lines, then use them in guided exchanges. By the end, you should feel more comfortable handling a cash withdrawal in Japanese. Remember to speak clearly and politely. If you are unsure, it is fine to ask again. Let's begin.
Asking About Your Card and the Machine
Before you use an ATM, you may want to check if your card works. A polite way to ask is «このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。». This means 'Does this ATM accept foreign cards?' The phrase 'gaikoku no kaado' means 'foreign card', and 'tsukaemasu ka' asks 'can it be used?' You can say this to a staff member or point at the machine while asking. If the answer is yes, you might hear something like «はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。», which means 'Yes, it works. You can choose English on the screen.' The word 'gamen' means 'screen', and 'eigo o erabemasu' means 'you can choose English'. This tells you that the machine has an English option. If you want to state your purpose, you can say «キャッシュカードでお金を引き出したいです。». This means 'I want to withdraw money with my cash card.' The verb 'hikidashitai' means 'want to withdraw'. Use this when you are ready to start.
Checking the Fee and Stating the Amount
Fees can be different depending on the time and amount, so it is good to ask. A simple question is «手数料はいくらですか。», which means 'How much is the fee?' The word 'tesuuryō' means 'fee', and 'ikura desu ka' means 'how much is it?' You can ask this before you confirm the transaction. When the machine or staff asks how much you want, you can say «一万円お願いします。». This means 'Ten thousand yen, please.' The phrase 'ichiman en' means 'ten thousand yen', and 'onegaishimasu' is a polite way to say 'please'. In a conversation, you might hear a confirmation like «今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。», which means 'It is 108 yen now. Are you withdrawing ten thousand yen?' The word 'ima' means 'now', and 'hikidashi' means 'withdrawal'. This helps you confirm the amount and fee before finishing.
Understanding ATM Prompts and Polite Responses
ATMs often give instructions on the screen. In the recorded exchange, the staff member says «はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。», meaning 'Yes, it works. You can choose English on the screen.' Even if you do not read every prompt, an English option can help you follow the machine. When you speak to staff, remember to be polite. You can use 'sumimasen' to get attention, as in «すみません、このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。», which means 'Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?' After you finish, you can say 'arigatō gozaimasu' to thank the staff. In «ありがとうございます。手数料はいくらですか。», the speaker says 'Thank you. How much is the fee?' This shows how to combine thanks with a question. Practice these phrases until you can say them smoothly.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。
Does this ATM accept foreign cards?
Kono ATM wa gaikoku no kaado ga tsukaemasu ka.
キャッシュカードでお金を引き出したいです。
I want to withdraw money with my cash card.
Kyasshu kaado de okane o hikidashitai desu.
手数料はいくらですか。
How much is the fee?
Tesuuryō wa ikura desu ka.
一万円お願いします。
Ten thousand yen, please.
Ichiman en onegaishimasu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。
Excuse me, does this ATM accept foreign cards?はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。
Yes, it works. You can choose English on the screen.ありがとうございます。手数料はいくらですか。
Thank you. How much is the fee?今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。
It is 108 yen now. Are you withdrawing ten thousand yen?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 About the ATM
Imagine you are at a bank and see an ATM. You want to know if it accepts your foreign card. A staff member is nearby.
Your task: First, listen to «このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。» and repeat it aloud. Then, imagine the staff member replies with «はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。». Practice saying «このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。» as a question, and then respond to «はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。» by saying 'arigatō gozaimasu' (thank you). Do this three times, switching roles if you like.
Reply Comprehension: Fee and Amount
You have asked about the fee and the staff member replies with «今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。». You need to understand what they said.
Your task: Listen to «今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。» and read the translation. Then, answer these questions: What is the fee now? How much does the staff ask if you are withdrawing? After that, practice saying «手数料はいくらですか。» to ask the fee, and «一万円お願いします。» to state the amount. Repeat «今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。» and try to catch the words 'hyaku hachi en' (108 yen) and 'ichiman en' (ten thousand yen).
Recall and Role-Play: Withdraw Cash
Now you will put everything together. You are the customer, and you want to withdraw ten thousand yen. You need to ask about the card, state your purpose, ask the fee, and state the amount.
Your task: First, say «このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。» to ask about your card. Then, say «キャッシュカードでお金を引き出したいです。» to state that you want to withdraw. Next, ask «手数料はいくらですか。» for the fee. Finally, say «一万円お願いします。» to request ten thousand yen. Do this in order without looking at the phrases. If you forget, listen to the recordings again. Then, switch roles: imagine you are the staff and respond with «はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。» and «今は百八円です。一万円お引き出しですか。».
Common questions
What if the ATM does not accept my card?
If the answer to «このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。» is no, you can ask a staff member for help. You might say 'sumimasen' to get attention, and then show your card. For this workshop, focus on the recorded question and the polite phrases already taught. If the machine does not work, you can politely say 'arigatō gozaimasu' and look for another machine.
How do I know which button to press on the ATM?
Many ATMs have an English option, as mentioned in «はい、使えます。画面で英語を選べますよ。». If you choose English, the screen will show instructions in English. If not, look for pictures or ask a staff member. You can say «このATMは外国のカードが使えますか。» to check if the ATM accepts your card, and then follow the prompts. If you are unsure, you can use 'sumimasen' to get attention and point to the screen.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: withdraw money from atmChecked September 2026
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