Politely Clarifying a Taxi Route | Learn Japanese in English

Sentence explanations

1. すみません、渋滞のために別のルートを通っているのですか。

   Excuse me, are we taking a different route because of traffic?

   すみません

   Excuse me

   渋滞

   traffic jam

   のために

   because of

   別の

   another; different

   ルート

   route

   通っている

   taking (a route)

   のですか

   is it that …?

   More detail

   すみません is a polite way to get someone's attention or apologize; here it corresponds to “Excuse me.” It can also mean “I’m sorry” in other situations, but this utterance uses it as an opening attention-getter. 渋滞 means a traffic jam or heavy traffic. It is a noun. For example, 渋滞です。 means “There is a traffic jam.” のために follows the noun 渋滞 here and gives the reason: “because of.” The reusable pattern N のために can express “because of N” when N is the cause. In this sentence, 渋滞のために means “because of traffic,” not simply “traffic” by itself. 別の means “different” or “another” before a noun. It is the form used in 別のルート, “a different route.” The noun being modified is ルート; 別の does not itself specify who chose the route or how many alternative routes exist. ルート is a noun meaning “route” or “way.” It is a loanword commonly used for a route or course. In 別のルート, it identifies the route being taken as different from an understood usual or expected route. 通っている comes from the dictionary form 通る, “to pass through” or “go along.” The form 通って is the te-form, and いる after it presents the action or situation as ongoing/current here. Thus ルートを通っている means “are taking/going along a route.” The subject is omitted in Japanese; the fixed translation supplies “we” for this utterance, so the intended reading is “are we taking.” のですか is an explanatory question pattern. After the preceding clause, it asks whether the situation is understood in that way, giving the sense “is it that …?” or, naturally here, “are we …?” It is not a separate noun meaning “thing” in this use. The question concerns the whole preceding situation, including the reason and the route. Putting the parts together: 渋滞のために gives the reason, 別のルートを marks a different route as the object of 通っている, and のですか turns the complete statement into a question. With the opening すみません, the utterance means: “Excuse me, are we taking a different route because of traffic?”

2. この先の道路が通行止めなので、迂回する必要があります。

   The road ahead is blocked, so I need to take a detour.

   この先

   ahead; from here on

   道路

   road

   通行止め

   blocked to traffic

   なので

   so; because

   迂回する

   take a detour

   必要があります

   need to

   More detail

   この先 means “ahead” or “from here onward.” It points to a place farther along the current route, so この先の道路 means “the road ahead.” A reusable pattern is [place]の[地点・物], meaning “[a place’s] [location/thing].” 道路 is “road.” In this sentence it is the noun modified by この先の, identifying which road is being discussed. 通行止め means that passage is closed to traffic. It is a noun-like expression used for a road, path, or area that people or vehicles cannot pass through. For example, この道は通行止めです。 means “This road is closed to traffic.” なので connects the reason to the result: “so” or “because.” Here it follows the noun-like expression 通行止め, forming 通行止めなので, “because it is closed to traffic.” The form なので is commonly used after a noun or a な-adjective; after a verb or an い-adjective, ので is used directly instead. 迂回する means “to detour” or “to take a detour.” 迂回 is the noun “detour,” and する makes it a verb. The form する is non-past and fits the need expressed by the following phrase. For example, この道を迂回します。 means “I will take a detour around this road.” 必要があります means “need to” or, more literally, “there is a need.” 必要 is the noun “need/necessity,” あり is the stem of ある (“to exist”), and ます makes the predicate polite. The pattern Vる必要があります means “need to V”; here, 迂回する必要があります means “need to take a detour.” The Japanese subject is omitted; the fixed translation identifies that subject as the speaker, “I.” Together, この先の道路が通行止めなので says “because the road ahead is closed to traffic,” and 迂回する必要があります says “I need to take a detour.” The complete meaning is: “The road ahead is blocked, so I need to take a detour.”

3. お聞きしたのは、この辺りに見覚えがないからです。

   I was asking because I don't recognize this area.

   お聞きしたのは

   what I was asking was

   この

   this

   辺り

   area; vicinity

   見覚え

   recognition; familiarity

   ない

   not have; none

   からです

   because

   More detail

   お聞きしたのは uses 聞く (“ask; hear”) in the respectful/humble pattern お + verb stem + する. Its past form is お聞きした; here, the fixed translation selects the meaning “asked,” not “heard.” The の turns the preceding action into a noun-like unit, and は marks it as the topic: “as for what I asked…” This pattern commonly introduces an explanation of a question or action. この is a demonstrative placed before a noun. It means “this” in relation to the relevant situation; it does not itself mark number or gender. Here it modifies 辺り, so この辺り means “this area/this vicinity.” 辺り is a noun for an area or vicinity, often less sharply bounded than a specific named place. A useful pattern is この辺り (“this area”) or 駅の辺り (“the area around the station”). The exact place referred to by この is not further specified in the sentence. 見覚え is a noun meaning recognition or familiarity from having seen something before. It is commonly used in the pattern 見覚えがある (“recognize it; have seen it before”) and its negative counterpart 見覚えがない (“not recognize it; have no recollection of seeing it”). ない here states that the relevant familiarity is absent. It is the negative form used in 見覚えがない, rather than a separate negative inflection of 見覚え; 見覚え remains a noun and ない predicates the absence of recognition. Example: この場所には見覚えがない。 — “I don’t recognize this place.” からです gives the reason for what precedes it: から means “because,” and です provides the polite sentence ending. In the full structure, 見覚えがないからです means “because I don’t recognize it,” explaining why the speaker asked. Together, お聞きしたのは sets up “what I was asking about,” この辺りに identifies the area, 見覚えがない says that the speaker does not recognize it, and からです presents that fact as the reason. The whole utterance therefore means: “I was asking because I don’t recognize this area.”

4. この道は少し遠回りですが、進み続けられるはずです。

   This way is a little longer, but it should keep us moving.

   この

   this

   道

   way; road

   少し

   a little

   遠回り

   detour; longer way

   ですが

   but

   進み続けられる

   can keep moving

   はず

   should; be expected to

   More detail

   この points to something understood as relatively near the speaker or already identifiable in the situation. It comes before the noun it modifies. The same demonstrative pattern is この + noun: この駅 means “this station.” The exact referent is the road named next, not an independently specified place beyond that. 道 is a noun meaning “way” or “road.” In this utterance it refers to the route being considered. 道を選びます means “I choose a route/road”; 道 is unchanged here because Japanese nouns do not take an English-style plural ending. 少し is an adverb meaning “a little” or “slightly.” It softens the degree of the following description: 少し遠い means “a little far.” It does not by itself state a numerical amount. 遠回り is a noun meaning “a detour” or “a longer route than necessary.” Here it functions as the description of この道: this route involves going the long way around. A useful related expression is 遠回りする, “to take a detour.” For example, 少し遠回りします means “I’ll take a slightly longer route.” ですが joins the first description to a contrasting statement. It is the polite connective form of です plus が: 遠回りですが means “it is a detour, but...” The が here marks contrast and does not mean the noun “but” in isolation. For example, 高いですが、便利です means “It is expensive, but it is convenient.” 進み続けられる expresses the ability to continue moving forward. Its parts are 進む “to move forward/proceed,” the stem 進み before the continuative auxiliary, and 続ける “to continue”; the potential form 続けられる makes the combined meaning “can continue.” Thus 進み続ける means “continue moving forward,” while 進み続けられる means “can continue moving forward.” The moving participant is not stated as a separate Japanese subject; in the fixed translation, that participant is understood as “us.” For example, この道なら歩き続けられます means “If it is this route, we can keep walking.” はず marks an expectation based on the speaker’s information or reasoning. In はずです, the polite ending makes the expectation explicit: 進み続けられるはずです means “should be able to keep moving” or “is expected to let us keep moving.” This is different from a simple definite promise; it presents the conclusion as expected. For example, 彼はもう着いているはずです means “He should have arrived by now.” Taken together, この道は sets “this route” as the topic, and 少し遠回りですが says that it is somewhat longer than a direct route while connecting to a contrast. 進み続けられるはずです then states the expected advantage: despite the detour, the understood participants should be able to keep moving. The complete meaning is: “This way is a little longer, but it should keep us moving.”

5. できれば、広い道路を通っていただけますか。

   Could we stay on larger roads if possible?

   できれば

   if possible

   広い

   wide; large

   道路

   road

   通って

   go through; use (a route)

   いただけますか

   could you please?

   More detail

   できれば means “if possible.” It is built from できる (“can; be possible”) with the conditional ending -ば: できる → できれば. This makes the request dependent on feasibility rather than asserting that the route must be used. 広い describes something with substantial width or space. It is an i-adjective, and this is its basic attributive form before 道路: 広い道路 means “wide roads” or, in this context, “larger roads.” Its useful related form is 広く, as in 広く使われる (“be widely used”); the adjective itself, not 道路, carries this form change. 道路 is a noun meaning “road” or “roadway.” It is a somewhat explicit term for a road as a route or roadway. In 広い道路, it is the noun modified by 広い. 通って is the te-form of the verb 通る, “to pass through; go along; use a route.” The te-form connects this action to the following request construction. With a route noun marked by を, 道路を通る means “go along/use the road,” so 広い道路を通って presents using larger roads as the requested action. Example: この道を通ってください。 — “Please go this way/use this road.” いただけますか is a polite request pattern. In 〜ていただけますか, the preceding te-form is followed by a polite potential form of いただく, giving the respectful sense “could you please ...?” Here, 通っていただけますか asks the listener to take the route. いただく on its own can mean “receive” in other contexts, but in this pattern it helps make a request polite; it does not mean that the listener literally receives something. Together, できれば softens the request with “if possible,” 広い道路を identifies larger roads as the route, and 通っていただけますか politely asks the listener to use them. The resulting meaning is: “Could we stay on larger roads if possible?” The English translation presents the practical result for the group, while the Japanese request is grammatically addressed to the person who can choose the route.

6. そういたします。

   I can do that.

   そういたします

   I will do so / I can do that

   More detail

   そういたします is a polite way to say “I will do so” or, as in the fixed translation, “I can do that.” そう means “so” or “in that way.” It points to the action just requested rather than naming that action again. The exact action is understood from context: here, it refers to following the requested route. いたします is the polite form of いたす, a humble verb corresponding to する (“to do”). The ending -ます makes the statement polite; いたします is not a form of the nearby そう, but the verb carrying the action and politeness. A useful contrast is します (polite “do”) versus いたします (more formal or humble “do”). For example, 確認いたします。 means “I will check.” Together, そう + いたします means “I will do so.” In this exchange, it accepts the request to use larger roads and presents the speaker’s action politely. Japanese does not require an explicit subject here; the fixed translation identifies the speaker as the person who will carry out the action.

7. 数分長くかかるかもしれません。

   It may add a few minutes.

   数分

   a few minutes

   長く

   longer

   かかる

   take (time)

   かもしれません

   may; might

   More detail

   数分 means “a few minutes” here. 分 is the unit for minutes, and 数- indicates an unspecified small number rather than an exact count. For example, 数日 means “a few days.” 長く is the adverbial form of the adjective 長い (“long”). In this sentence it modifies かかる, giving the meaning “take longer.” The useful form chain is 長い → 長く; the latter form lets the adjective describe an action or state. かかる is the base form of the verb meaning “to take” when talking about time required. With a duration, a reusable pattern is 時間がかかる (“it takes time”); 数分長くかかる means “take a few minutes longer.” This is different from a verb meaning that someone actively spends or uses time. かもしれません is a polite expression of possibility: “may” or “might.” It follows the plain form of the preceding expression, so かかるかもしれません means “may take.” The less polite form is かもしれない. Together, 数分 identifies the extra duration, 長くかかる says that the required time will be longer, and かもしれません makes this uncertain rather than definite. The whole utterance therefore means: “It may add a few minutes.”

8. ただ、そのほうが道順を分かりやすく追えます。

   But it will be easier to follow.

   ただ

   but; however

   そのほうが

   that way is better/easier

   道順

   route; directions

   分かりやすく

   clearly; easy to follow

   追えます

   can follow

   More detail

   ただ introduces a contrast: “but” or “however.” It connects this sentence with what was just said without changing the content of the following clause. そのほうが means “that way is better/easier.” その identifies a choice or way already available in the context, while ほうが presents it as the preferable option. The comparison is understood from the situation; the sentence does not state that something is numerically better in every respect. 道順 means “route” or “directions.” It is the route being followed here. The particle を marks it as the object of 追えます. 分かりやすく is the adverbial form of 分かりやすい, “easy to understand” or, in this context, “easy to follow.” The ending changes from -い to -く when the adjective describes how an action is carried out. Example: 分かりやすく説明します。 — “I will explain it clearly.” 追えます is the polite potential form of 追う, “to follow” or “to trace.” The chain is 追う → 追える → 追えます: “follow” → “can follow” → polite “can follow.” Here it means that the route can be followed successfully; it does not mean physically chasing someone. Example: この道なら案内を追えます。 — “With this route, I can follow the directions.” Together, そのほうが道順を分かりやすく追えます says, “That way, it will be easier to follow the route.” ただ adds the contrast, giving the full meaning: “But that way, it will be easier to follow.” The Japanese leaves the subject implicit, as does the fixed translation; it does not specify who will follow the route.

9. それで大丈夫です。急いでいません。

   That works. I'm not in a hurry.

   それで大丈夫です

   That works / That’s fine.

   急いでいません

   I’m not in a hurry.

   More detail

   それで大丈夫です それで combines それ (“that”) with で, which marks the thing or circumstances by which something is judged acceptable. Here it means “with that” or “that way”; the exact thing referred to is supplied by the surrounding situation rather than named in this sentence. 大丈夫です is a polite predicate meaning “is okay,” “is fine,” or “works.” 大丈夫 is commonly analyzed as a na-adjective; です gives the statement polite form. Example: これで大丈夫です。 — “This is fine as it is.” 急いでいません 急いでいません uses the base verb 急ぐ (“to hurry”). Its form is 急いで plus the negative polite form いません of いる, producing the meaning “am not hurrying” or, naturally here, “am not in a hurry.” The Japanese subject is omitted; the fixed translation identifies it as the speaker. This is different from 急ぎません, which generally expresses “will not hurry” or “do not hurry,” depending on context. The 〜ていません form focuses on the current state or ongoing situation. Example: 私は急いでいません。 — “I’m not in a hurry.” Whole utterance それで大丈夫です says that the proposed way or arrangement is acceptable: “That works.” 急いでいません adds that the speaker is not currently in a hurry. Together, the utterance means: “That works. I’m not in a hurry.” The polite forms make it suitable for ordinary courteous conversation.

10. ここからは狭い脇道を避けます。

    I'll avoid the small side streets from here.

    ここからは

    from here on

    狭い

    narrow; small

    脇道

    side street

    避けます

    avoid

    More detail

    ここからは means “from here on” in this sentence. ここ is “here,” and から marks a starting point; は makes that starting point the topic, giving the sense “as for from here onward.” The same pattern can mark a time or place from which something begins: ここから始めます。 means “I’ll start from here.” 狭い is an i-adjective whose basic meaning is “narrow” or “not wide.” Its form does not change here for the noun’s number or gender; before a noun, the plain form 狭い directly modifies it. For example, 狭い道 means “a narrow road.” In this utterance, the fixed translation presents the side streets as small, while the Japanese adjective specifically highlights their limited width or space. 脇道 is a noun meaning “side street” or “side road,” a road branching away from a main route. In 狭い脇道, it is modified by the adjective before it: “narrow side streets.” Japanese nouns do not generally mark plural number, so this form can refer to one or more side streets; the translation uses the plural because that is the intended meaning here. 避けます is the polite nonpast form of the verb 避ける, “to avoid.” The nonpast form can describe a present policy or a future decision, so here it expresses the speaker’s decision: “I’ll avoid.” The polite ending ます makes the statement suitable for courteous conversation. For example, 危険な道を避けます。 means “I’ll avoid dangerous roads.” Together, ここからは sets the point onward, 狭い脇道 identifies the narrow side streets, and 避けます states what the speaker will do about them. The complete meaning is: “From here on, I’ll avoid the small side streets.” Japanese leaves the subject unstated; the fixed translation identifies that subject as “I.”

11. ルートを説明してくださってありがとうございます。

    I appreciate you explaining the route.

    ルート

    route

    説明して

    explain

    くださってありがとうございます

    thank you for doing...

    More detail

    ルート is the noun “route.” It is a useful loanword for a path or course, especially a planned way from one place to another. Example: 別のルートを選びます。 — “I’ll choose a different route.” 説明して comes from the verb 説明する, “to explain.” 説明して is its て-form: 説明する → 説明して. Here it connects the act of explaining to the following expression of thanks. The て-form is also used in requests, as in 説明してください。 — “Please explain it.” くださってありがとうございます expresses polite thanks for someone’s action. くださって is the て-form of くださる, a respectful form used when another person does something beneficial for the speaker; with ありがとうございます, it means “thank you for doing ….” In this sentence, the action supplied by the preceding 説明して is explaining the route. Example: 手伝ってくださってありがとうございます。 — “Thank you for helping me.” Together, ルートを marks “the route” as what is explained, 説明して links that action to the thanks, and くださってありがとうございます politely thanks the other person for doing it. The complete meaning is: “I appreciate you explaining the route.” The wording is polite and respectful.

12. また変更する必要があれば、お知らせします。

    I'll let you know if I need to change it again.

    また

    again

    変更する

    change

    必要があれば

    if necessary

    お知らせします

    let you know

    More detail

    また means “again” here. It is an adverb, so it does not change form. It modifies the later situation: the speaker may make another change. Example: また会いましょう。— “Let’s meet again.” 変更する means “to change” or “to modify.” The base form is 変更する; する makes this a verbal expression built from the noun 変更 (“change” as an action). In this sentence, the thing being changed is not stated in Japanese; the fixed translation supports “change it,” but does not identify what “it” is. Example: 計画を変更する。— “Change the plan.” 必要があれば expresses “if there is a need” and, in this sentence, “if [I] need to.” 必要 means “need” or “necessity,” and 必要がある means “there is a need.” The conditional form あれば comes from ある (“exist; be present”): ある → あれば. Thus 変更する必要があれば literally has the structure “if there is a need to change,” with 変更する modifying 必要. お知らせします means “will let [someone] know” or “will inform [someone].” お知らせする is the polite verbal expression for informing someone, and します is its polite nonpast form. Japanese does not state the subject or recipient here; the translation identifies the subject as “I,” but does not specify who will be informed. Example: 結果をお知らせします。— “I will let you know the result.” Together, また変更する必要があれば sets the condition “if I need to change it again,” and お知らせします gives the result “I’ll let you know.” The complete utterance therefore means “I’ll let you know if I need to change it again.”