#11

Asking whether what you want is available

お守りはありますか Do you have any lucky charms?

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Tam has come to Asakusa in Tokyo with Chinese photographer Mi Ya. They're looking around the souvenir shops on “Nakamise Street.”

Skit
Vocabulary

この

kono

this

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Tシャツ

tii-shatsu

T-shirt

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見る

miru

look

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忍者

ninja

ninja

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書く

kaku

write

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わあ

waa

wow

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いらっしゃいませ

irasshaimase

may I help you?/welcome

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すみません

sumimasen

excuse me

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お守り

omamori

amulet

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ある

aru

be/have

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ちょっと

chotto

umm

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ここ

koko

here

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寺/お寺

tera/otera

temple

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行く

iku

go

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Key Phrase

Asking whether what you want is available

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When you want to ask whether a shop has something you're looking for, say "[thing] wa arimasu ka." "Wa" is a topic-marker particle. "Arimasu" is the MASU-form of the verb "aru" which indicates the existence of something.

Saying something isn't available:
"Arimasen" is the negative form that can be used when something isn't available. But store clerks sometimes avoid being direct with their customers. Instead, they may offer an ambiguous reply such as "Chotto..." or "Sumimasen..." meaning "I’m sorry."

Use It!
Try It Out!

Try asking if something you want is available

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

Excuse me. Do you have any folding fans?

folding fan

扇子

sensu

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

Excuse me. Do you have XXX?

すみません。~はありますか。

Sumimasen. ~wa arimasu ka.

ninja T-shirt

忍者のTシャツ

ninja no tii-shatsu

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

Excuse me. Do you have XXX?

すみません。~はありますか。

Sumimasen. ~wa arimasu ka.

English brochure

英語のパンフレット

Eego no panfuretto

Bonus Phrase

A greeting used when customers enter shops and restaurants.

Kanji

Mon (gate)

Culture

Mi Ya’s Travel Guide

Strolling Around Asakusa

Asakusa is a popular tourist spot in Tokyo. The Kaminarimon Gate, with a huge red lantern, is the entrance to Sensoji Temple. The Nakamise Street stretches out from there.

Kaminarimon Gate

Sensoji Temple Main Hall

Many shops selling souvernirs, sweets and other things line both sides of the street. At the end of the street is the temple's main hall.

Nakamise Street

Ningyo-yaki, or doll-shaped pancake

Trip tip

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