About This Lesson
Use Reporting a Lost Travel Card to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
電車で交通カードをなくしたと思います。
DEN-shah deh koh-TSOO KAH-doh oh nah-KOO-shee-tah toh oh-moh-ee-MAHS. I think I lost my travel card on the train.
B
遺失物取扱所に行ったほうがいいです。
ee-SHEET-soo-boo-tsoo toh-ree-ah-tsoo-kah-ee-joh nee EET-tah HOH-gah EE-dehss. You should go to the lost property office.
A
そのカードを使えないようにできますか。
SOH-noh KAH-doh oh tsoo-kah-eh-NAH-ee YOH-oo-nee deh-KEH-mahs-kah. Can they stop the card from being used?
B
カードを止めるための書類を書くのを手伝ってくれます。
KAH-doh oh toh-MEH-roo tah-meh noh shoh-ROO-ee oh KAH-koo noh oh teh-tsoo-DAHT-teh koo-REH-mahs. They can help you fill out a form to block it.
A
アカウントの情報を持っています。
ah-KAH-oon-toh noh JOH-oh HŌH-oh oh moht-teh EE-mahs. I have my account details with me.
B
その情報は係員の役に立ちます。
SOH-noh JOH-oh HŌH-oh wah kah-kee-IN noh yah-koo nee tah-chee-MAHS. That information will help the staff.
A
では、新しいカードを作ったほうがいいか聞きます。
deh-WAH ah-tah-rah-SHEE-ee KAH-doh oh tsoo-KOOT-tah HOH-gah EE kah kee-kee-MAHS. Then I'll ask whether I should get a new card.
B
誰かが届けているかもしれないので、まず聞いてください。
dah-REH-kah gah toh-doh-KEH-teh EE-roo kah-moh-shee-reh-NAH-ee noh-deh, MAH-zoo kee-ee-teh koo-DAH-sah-ee. Ask first, because someone might have handed it in.Word by Word
電車
“電車” means train here, the vehicle on which the speaker thinks the card was lost. It is used with “で” to identify the train as the place or means connected with the action. You can use it when describing travel by train or something that happened on a train.
で
In “電車で”, “で” marks the train as the place or means connected with the loss. Here it links “電車” to the event of losing the card. It commonly follows a place or means of transport when describing where or how an action happens.
交通
“交通” means transportation here and describes the type of card in “交通カード”. It combines with “カード” to identify a card used for transport. It is useful when talking about transportation-related services or facilities.
カード
“カード” means card here, specifically the travel card being discussed. In “交通カード”, it follows “交通” to identify the object. You can use it for a physical or service-related card when the context makes the type clear.
を
In “カードをなくした”, “を” marks “カード” as the thing that was lost. It shows the object directly affected by the verb. It commonly follows the object of an action.
なくした
“なくした” means lost in this dialogue: the speaker thinks they lost the travel card. It is the exact form used for the completed loss being reported. You can use it when explaining that you no longer have a personal item because it was lost.
と
In “なくしたと思います”, “と” marks the thought or statement that comes before “思います”. It connects the content “なくした” with “思います”. It is commonly used after a quoted idea when saying what you think or believe.
思います
“思います” means think here and presents the speaker’s belief that the card was lost. Together with “なくしたと”, it makes the statement less than completely certain. You can use it after a thought or opinion when giving your view politely.
遺失物
“遺失物” means lost property here, referring to an item that someone has lost. It combines with “取扱所” in “遺失物取扱所”, the office handling lost items. You would use it when reporting or looking for a lost object.
取扱所
“取扱所” means an office or place that handles a particular matter. In “遺失物取扱所”, it identifies the place that handles lost property. It is useful in the name of a service counter or office responsible for a specific type of request.
に
In “遺失物取扱所に行った”, “に” marks “遺失物取扱所” as the destination. It shows where the person should go. It commonly follows a destination before “行く” or another movement verb.
行った
In “行ったほうがいいです”, “行った” refers to going to the lost property office as the recommended option. It appears before “ほうがいい” to compare this option favorably. You can use this form when discussing whether going somewhere would be better.
ほうがいい
In “行ったほうがいいです”, “ほう” presents the side or option being recommended, “が” marks that option within the comparison, and “いい” says it is good or preferable. Together, “ほうがいい” means that something should be done or would be better. It is useful for giving advice about an action.
です
In “行ったほうがいいです”, “です” gives the recommendation a polite sentence ending. It presents the preceding advice in a polite way. You can use it after a statement or description when speaking politely.
その
“その” means that or the mentioned one here, referring to the card already being discussed. It comes directly before “カード” in “そのカード”. You can use it before a noun when referring to something known from the conversation.
使えない
“使えない” describes the card as unable to be used in “使えないようにできますか”. It identifies the condition the speaker wants the card to have. You can use it before a phrase about making or keeping something unavailable for use.
よう
In “使えないようにできますか”, “よう” presents the desired way or resulting state: making it so the card cannot be used. It links the condition “使えない” with the possibility expressed by “できますか”. It commonly follows a described state when asking whether that state can be made possible.
できます
In “使えないようにできますか”, “できます” means can make possible or can arrange. The question asks whether the staff can make the card unable to be used. You can use it when asking whether someone can perform an action or create a particular result.
か
At the end of “使えないようにできますか”, “か” marks the sentence as a question. It turns the request for information into a polite yes-or-no question. It commonly appears at the end of a polite question.
止める
“止める” means stop or block here, referring to preventing the card from being used. In “カードを止めるための書類”, it describes the purpose of the document. You can use it when stopping a service, card, or other operation.
ため
In “止めるための書類”, “ため” expresses purpose: the document is for blocking the card. It connects the action “止める” with the noun “書類”. It is useful after an action when explaining what something is intended for.
の
In “止めるための書類”, “の” links the purpose phrase to the noun “書類”. It makes the preceding phrase describe what kind of document it is. It commonly connects a modifying phrase to a following noun.
書類
“書類” means a form or document here, specifically the document used to block the card. It is the object that the person is helped to complete. You can use it for paperwork submitted to an office or organization.
書く
“書く” means write here, referring to completing the document. In “書類を書く”, “書類” is the thing being written or filled out. You can use it when writing information on a form or document.
手伝って
In “書くのを手伝ってくれます”, “手伝って” means help with writing the document. Its form links the helping action to “くれます”, which presents the help as a favor for the speaker. You can use it when asking or describing help with a task.
くれます
In “手伝ってくれます”, “くれます” shows that someone does the helping action as a favor for the speaker. Here, the staff will help the person write the document. It commonly follows a te-form when describing someone doing something helpful for you.
アカウント
“アカウント” means account here, referring to the speaker’s account connected with the card. It is a loanword used in “アカウントの情報”. You can use it when identifying an online, service, or customer account.
情報
“情報” means information or details here, specifically the account details the speaker has. In “アカウントの情報”, it is linked to the account by “の”. You can use it for facts or details needed to handle a request.
持って
In “持っています”, “持って” means have or carry, and here it describes having the account information with the speaker. It combines with “います” to express the current state of possession. You can use it when saying that you have something available with you.
います
In “持っています”, “います” helps express the continuing state of having the information. It follows “持って” rather than functioning as the main meaning of the sentence by itself. This pattern is useful for describing something that is currently in your possession.
は
In “その情報は係員の役に立ちます”, “は” marks “その情報” as the topic. The sentence then explains how that information will help the staff. It commonly follows the thing being discussed as the main topic.
係員
“係員” means a staff member or attendant here, referring to the person handling the lost-card request. It is the person who can benefit from the account information. You can use it for staff responsible for assisting people at a facility or service counter.
役に立ちます
In “係員の役に立ちます”, “役” refers to a useful role, “に” marks the function or result, and “立ちます” completes the expression meaning be useful or helpful. Together, “役に立ちます” says that the information will help the staff. You can use it when explaining that an item or piece of information will be useful to someone.
では
“では” means then or in that case here and marks a transition from the advice just given to the speaker’s next action. It introduces the decision to ask about getting a new card. You can use it to begin what you will do next after considering information or advice.
新しい
“新しい” means new here and describes the replacement card in “新しいカード”. It comes directly before “カード” to specify that the card would be a new one. You can use it before a noun when referring to something newly made, obtained, or introduced.
作った
In “新しいカードを作ったほうがいいか”, “作った” refers to making or obtaining a new card as one possible option. It appears before “ほうがいいか” because the speaker is asking whether that option would be better. You can use it when discussing whether creating or arranging something would be advisable.
聞きます
“聞きます” means ask here, referring to asking whether a new card should be made. It takes the question content before it in “作ったほうがいいか聞きます”. You can use it when asking a person or office for information or advice.
誰か
“誰か” means someone here, referring to an unspecified person who may have handed in the card. It leaves the person’s identity unknown. You can use it when referring to an unknown or unidentified person who may have done something.
届けて
In “届けている”, “届けて” means hand in or deliver here, referring to someone bringing the lost card to the appropriate place. It combines with “いる” to describe the action as ongoing or as a resulting state. You can use it when describing an item being delivered or handed in.
いる
In “届けている”, “いる” follows “届けて” and helps express the continuing or resulting state of the delivery. Here, the meaning is that someone may already have handed in the card. This pattern is useful when describing an action together with its ongoing or resulting state.
かもしれない
In “届けているかもしれない”, “かも” presents the possibility and “しれない” indicates that it is not known for certain. Together, “かもしれない” means might or may. You can use it after a statement when you want to express a possibility rather than certainty.
ので
In “届けているかもしれないので”, “ので” introduces the reason for the request to ask first. The reason is that someone may have handed in the card. It commonly follows a reason clause before an action or request.
まず
“まず” means first here and tells the speaker to ask before taking the next step about a new card. It sets the order of the actions. You can use it when saying what should happen before other actions.
聞いて
In “聞いてください”, “聞いて” means ask here, not listen. Its te-form connects the action with “ください” to make a polite request. You can use this pattern when politely telling someone to ask or check something.
ください
In “聞いてください”, “ください” makes the instruction a polite request meaning please ask. It follows “聞いて” and softens the command. It commonly follows a te-form when politely requesting an action.
Grammar Points
〜たほうがいいです
電車の遺失物取扱所に行ったほうがいいです。
DEN-shah noh ee-SHEET-soo-boo-tsoo toh-ree-ah-tsoo-kah-ee-joh nee EET-tah HOH-gah EE-dehss.You should go to the train lost property office.
Use this pattern to recommend an action. The verb before ほうがいいです uses the past form, such as 行った.
〜かもしれない
誰かが交通カードを遺失物取扱所に届けているかもしれない。
dah-REH-kah gah koh-TSOO KAH-doh oh ee-SHEET-soo-boo-tsoo toh-ree-ah-tsoo-kah-ee-joh nee toh-doh-KEH-teh EE-roo kah-moh-shee-reh-NAH-ee.Someone might have handed in the travel card.
かもしれない expresses possibility or uncertainty. It means that something may be true, but the speaker is not sure.
Japanese Vocabulary
アカウント
noun
ah-KAH-oon-toh
account
アカウントの情報を持っています。
なくした
verb
nah-KOO-shee-tah
lost
電車で交通カードをなくしたと思います。
遺失物取扱所
noun
ee-SHEET-soo-boo-tsoo toh-ree-ah-tsoo-kah-ee-joh
lost property office
遺失物取扱所に行ったほうがいいです。
交通カード
noun
koh-TSOO KAH-doh
travel card
電車で交通カードをなくしたと思います。
行ったほうがいいです
phrase
EET-tah HOH-gah EE-dehss
should go
遺失物取扱所に行ったほうがいいです。
使えないようにできますか
phrase
tsoo-kah-eh-NAH-ee YOH-oo-nee deh-KEH-mahs-kah
can you make it unusable
そのカードを使えないようにできますか。
思います
verb
oh-moh-ee-MAHS
think
電車で交通カードをなくしたと思います。
止める
verb
toh-MEH-roo
block; stop
カードを止めるための書類を書くのを手伝ってくれます。
手伝ってくれます
phrase
teh-tsoo-DAHT-teh koo-REH-mahs
will help
カードを止めるための書類を書くのを手伝ってくれます。
書く
verb
KAH-koo
write; fill out
カードを止めるための書類を書くのを手伝ってくれます。
書類
noun
shoh-ROO-ee
form; document
カードを止めるための書類を書くのを手伝ってくれます。
電車
noun
DEN-shah
train
電車で交通カードをなくしたと思います。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
lost property office
Show Answer
遺失物取扱所travel card
Show Answer
交通カードshould go
Show Answer
行ったほうがいいですthink