#11
Asking whether what you want is available
Tam has come to Asakusa in Tokyo with Chinese photographer Mi Ya. They're looking around the souvenir shops on “Nakamise Street.”
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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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."
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
A greeting used when customers enter shops and restaurants.
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