#21
Describing where you are
Tam and Mi Ya are in Hokkaido. They’re meeting up with Kaito at the Sapporo Clock Tower.
もしもし
moshimoshi
hello
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今
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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中
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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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!
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
This expression indicates you understood what the speaker said. It comes from the verb "wakaru" or "to understand."
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