#21

Describing where you are

時計台の中にいます I'm in the clock tower.

  • Skit
  • Video
Subtitles
  • English
  • Japanese
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Tam and Mi Ya are in Hokkaido. They’re meeting up with Kaito at the Sapporo Clock Tower.

Skit
Vocabulary

もしもし

moshimoshi

hello

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ima

now

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どこ

doko

where

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いる

iru

be

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時計台

tokeedai

clock tower

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naka

inside

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じゃあ

jaa

then

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ぼく

boku

I (male)

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すぐ

sugu

soon

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そっち

socchi

there

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行く

iku

go

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わかる

wakaru

understand

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こっち

kocchi

here

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ごめん

gomen

sorry

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遅くなる

osoku naru

be late

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Key Phrase

Describing where you are

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To tell someone where you are, use "[place] ni imasu." To give a more precise description, use the name of a landmark and say "[landmark] no [your location] (Example: "tokeedai no naka" or "inside the clock tower") ni imasu."

"Imasu" and "Arimasu":
"Imasu" is the MASU-form of the verb "iru" or "be" and is used with people and living things. (Example: "Watashi wa Hokkaido ni imasu." or "I'm in Hokkaido.") "Arimasu" is the MASU-form of the verb "aru" or "be" and is used for things. (Example: "Omamori wa otera ni arimasu." or "Amulets are at the temple.")

Words indicating location:
Examples: "naka" or "inside," "mae" or "in front of," "yoko" or "next to," and "shita" or "below."

Asking where someone is:
Say "Doko ni imasu ka" or "Where are you now?"

Learn more!

Use It!
Try It Out!

Try describing where you're

1Which of these three choices is the correct way to say this sentence in Japanese?

I'm inside the convenience store.

convenience store | inside

コンビニ | 中

konbini | naka

2Say the sentence in Japanese, using the following word(s).

I’m [my location] [landmark].

landmark】の【my location】にいます。

【landmark】 no 【my location】ni imasu.

information center | next to

インフォメーション | 横

infomeeshon | yoko

3Say the sentence in Japanese, using the following word(s).

I’m [my location] [landmark].

landmark】の【my location】にいます。

【landmark】 no【my location】 ni imasu.

escalator | below

エスカレーター | 下

esukareetaa | shita

Bonus Phrase

This expression indicates you understood what the speaker said. It comes from the verb "wakaru" or "to understand."

Kanji

Tokee (clock)

Culture

Haru-san’s Bagful of Advice

Convenience Stores

Many convenience stores in Japan are open 24/7. They sell a wide range of things such as boxed meals, sandwiches, sweets, drinks, and daily necessities. You can also withdraw money at their ATMs and pick up concert tickets you booked online.

 

Multi-service machine

Trip tip

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