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Now use them (#1-3)
Check the pronunciation!
In the last 3 episodes, we covered II DESU KA? (May I?), SUMIMASEN (I'm sorry / Thank you / Excuse me) and finally DOKO DESU KA? (Where is...?)
So now, let's put them to use.
Mission
Go to Roppongi Hills Observatory and get your picture taken.
The challenger is allowed to use only 3 phrases, II DESU KA? (May I?), SUMIMASEN (I'm sorry / Thank you / Excuse me) and DOKO DESU KA? (Where is...?) to complete the mission.
- The challenger: Abedin
- Abedin is from Bangladesh and lives in Japan. He is an actor, translator and interpreter.
1 Go to the nearest station
Abedin can only use the 3 phrases.
First, he asks a passerby how to get to Roppongi Hillis.
| Abedin : | SUMIMASEN. Roppongi Hills, DOKO DESU KA? |
|---|---|
| Passerby : | Just get off at Roppongi Station. |
| Abedin : | Roppongi Station. |
Abedin got her attention with SUMIMASEN (Excuse me), and asked for directions with DOKO DESU KA? (Where is...?)
2 Ask for directions to the destination
He now knows how to get to the station that's closest to his destination.
But can he get from the station to Roppongi Hills?
| Abedin : | SUMIMASEN. Roppongi Hills, DOKO DESU KA? |
|---|---|
| Passerby : | Go straight. Turn right at the crossing. |
| Abedin : | SUMIMASEN. Thank you. |
This time, he used SUMIMASEN to show appreciation.
3 Get your picture taken
Abedin is at the Tokyo City View observatory, a popular tourist spot.
He'd like someone to take his picture.
| Abedin : | SUMIMASEN. II DESU KA? |
|---|
He gestured when he asked II DESU KA? (May I?), so the man understood. It worked! Abedin has achieved his goal!
II DESU KA?, SUMIMASEN and DOKO DESU KA? are very useful phrases. Please remember them!