About This Lesson
Use Politely Clarifying a Taxi Route to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
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。
soo-mee-mah-SEN, joo-TAI no tah-MEH nee BEH-tsu no ROO-toh oh toh-OT-teh ee-ROO no dess-kah Excuse me, are we taking a different route because of traffic?
B
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。
koh-noh SAH-kee noh DOH-roh-gah tsoo-KOH-doh-MEH noh-deh-noh, oo-KAI soo-roo hee-TSOO-yoh gah ah-ree-MAHS The road ahead is blocked, so I need to take a detour.
A
お聞きしたのは、この辺りに見覚えがないからです。
oh-kee-kee shee-TAH no wah, koh-noh ah-TAH-ree nee mee-oh-BOO-eh gah NAI kah-rah dess I was asking because I don't recognize this area.
B
この道は少し遠回りですが、進み続けられるはずです。
koh-noh MEE-chee wah soo-KOH-shee toh-oh-mah-REE dess-gah, soo-soo-MEE tsoo-ZOO-keh-RAH-reh-roo hah-zoo dess This way is a little longer, but it should keep us moving.
A
できれば、広い道路を通っていただけますか。
deh-kee-REH-bah, HEE-roh-ee DOH-roh oh toh-OT-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-MAHS-kah Could we stay on larger roads if possible?
B
そういたします。
soh-ee-tah-shee-MAHS I can do that.
B
数分長くかかるかもしれません。
soo-FUN nah-GAH-koo kah-KAH-roo kah-moh shee-REH-mah-SEN It may add a few minutes.
B
ただ、そのほうが道順を分かりやすく追えます。
tah-DAH, soh-noh HOH-gah MEE-chee-JOON oh wah-kah-ree-yah-SOO-koo oh-eh-MAHS But it will be easier to follow.
A
それで大丈夫です。急いでいません。
soh-REH-deh dai-JOH-boo dess. ee-SOH-ee-deh ee-MAH-SEN That works. I'm not in a hurry.
B
ここからは狭い脇道を避けます。
koh-KOH-kah-rah wah seh-MAH-ee wah-kee-MEE-chee oh sah-KEH-MAHS I'll avoid the small side streets from here.
A
ルートを説明してくださってありがとうございます。
ROO-toh oh seh-tsu-MEH shee-teh koo-dah-SAHT-teh ah-ree-GAH-toh goh-ZAI-mahs I appreciate you explaining the route.
B
また変更する必要があれば、お知らせします。
mah-TAH hen-KOH soo-roo hee-TSOO-yoh gah ah-REH-bah, oh-shee-RAH-seh shee-MAHS I'll let you know if I need to change it again.Word by Word
すみません
In 「すみません、」, this is a polite way to get the driver's attention before asking a question. It can also express a polite apology, and it is useful when addressing a stranger or service worker.
渋滞
In 「渋滞のために」, 渋滞 means a traffic jam or heavy traffic. It names the reason for taking a different route, and it commonly appears with 「渋滞のために」 when explaining a traffic-related cause.
の
In 「渋滞のために」, の links 渋滞 to ため and makes it the reason being discussed. This noun-linking pattern is useful when one noun describes or specifies another noun.
ため
In 「渋滞のために」, ため indicates the reason or cause, so the phrase means because of the traffic jam. It is commonly used after a noun with の when giving a formal or clear reason.
に
In 「渋滞のために」, に completes the reason expression after ため. Together, 「渋滞のために」 explains why the route is different.
別
In 「別のルート」, 別 indicates a different or alternative route. The reusable pattern 「別の」 comes before a noun when referring to another option.
ルート
In 「別のルート」, ルート means the route or path being taken by the taxi. It is useful with verbs such as 「ルートを通る」 when discussing travel directions.
を
In 「ルートを通っている」, を marks the route that the taxi is taking. With movement verbs, it can mark the path or route through which someone or something moves.
通って
In 「ルートを通っている」, 通って means going through or taking a route. This form links the movement action to いる to describe the current route.
いる
In 「通っている」, いる shows that the action or route is currently ongoing. The pattern 「動作のて-form + いる」 is useful for describing something happening or continuing now.
です
In 「通っているのですか」, です gives the question a polite sentence ending. It helps make the passenger's request for clarification respectful.
か
In 「通っているのですか」, か marks the sentence as a question. It is used at the end when politely asking the driver to confirm information.
この
In 「この先の道路」, この means this and directly modifies the following noun phrase. It points to something near the speaker or relevant to the current location.
先
In 「この先の道路」, 先 means ahead or farther on. The expression 「この先」 is useful when referring to a place further along the current road or route.
道路
In 「道路が通行止め」, 道路 means road and is the thing described as closed to traffic. It is a general word for a road when discussing travel or road conditions.
が
In 「道路が通行止め」, が marks 道路 as the subject of the condition. It identifies which thing is blocked or closed.
通行止め
In 「道路が通行止め」, 通行止め means that passage is closed or traffic is not allowed. It is commonly used to describe a road that vehicles cannot use.
なので
In 「通行止めなので」, the whole form gives the reason: because the road is closed. Here, な connects the noun-like expression 通行止め to ので, and ので presents the following action as a result of that reason.
迂回
In 「迂回する」, 迂回 means taking a detour or going around an obstruction. It is useful when the direct route cannot be used.
する
In 「迂回する」, する turns 迂回 into the action of taking a detour. The noun-plus-する pattern is useful for expressing an action based on a noun.
必要
In 「迂回する必要があります」, 必要 means a need or necessity. The expression says that taking a detour is necessary, and 「必要があります」 is a common way to state that something is needed.
あります
In 「必要があります」, あります completes an expression meaning there is a need to do something. It is used here in a polite explanation of why the driver must change the route.
お聞きした
In 「お聞きしたのは」, お聞きした means asked or inquired in a polite, humble way. It refers to the passenger's earlier question and is useful when explaining why one asked something.
は
In 「お聞きしたのは」, は marks the act of asking as the topic. The reason for that action follows with 「見覚えがないからです」.
辺り
In 「この辺り」, 辺り means the area or vicinity around the current place. It is useful when referring to a general nearby area rather than one exact point.
見覚え
In 「見覚えがない」, 見覚え means familiarity or recognition from having seen something before. This expression is useful when a place or object does not look familiar.
ない
In 「見覚えがない」, ない expresses that there is no familiarity or recognition. It makes the statement negative and explains why the passenger asked about the route.
から
In 「見覚えがないからです」, から means because and introduces the reason for asking. The pattern 「理由 + からです」 is useful when giving a direct explanation.
道
In 「この道は」, 道 means this road or way. It refers to the route currently being used and is useful when comparing or describing travel paths.
少し
In 「少し遠回り」, 少し means a little or somewhat. It softens the description of how much longer the route is.
遠回り
In 「少し遠回り」, 遠回り means taking a longer way or making a detour. It is useful when a route is not direct but is chosen for another practical reason.
進み続けられる
In 「進み続けられるはずです」, 進み続けられる means can keep moving forward. The pattern 「動作 + 続けられる」 is useful for saying that an action can continue.
はず
In 「はずです」, はず expresses an expectation that something should happen or be true. Here, it shows the driver's expectation that the taxi will be able to keep moving.
できれば
In 「できれば」, this means if possible and gently limits or softens the request. It is useful before a request when the speaker wants to show that the request is not absolute.
広い
In 「広い道路」, 広い means wide or spacious and describes the roads the passenger would prefer. It is commonly placed before a noun to describe its width or available space.
いただけますか
In 「通っていただけますか」, the whole expression politely asks whether the listener could take the requested action. いただけ indicates receiving the favor of the action, ます makes the request polite, and か turns it into a question.
そう
In 「そういたします」, そう refers to the requested arrangement or action just mentioned. It allows the driver to agree without repeating the full request.
いたします
In 「そういたします」, いたします is a polite, humble way to say that the speaker will do something. It is useful when a service worker responds respectfully to a customer's request.
数分
In 「数分長くかかる」, 数分 means several minutes or a few minutes. It gives an approximate amount of extra time rather than an exact number.
長く
In 「長くかかる」, 長く means for a longer time or longer than before. It modifies かかる to explain that the chosen route will require more time.
かかる
In 「長くかかる」, かかる means take time. It is commonly used with a time amount or duration when explaining how long travel or another activity requires.
かもしれません
In 「かかるかもしれません」, the whole form means may or might take that long and expresses possibility rather than certainty. かも introduces the possibility, and しれません completes the polite expression.
ただ
In 「ただ、そのほうが」, ただ means but or however and introduces a qualification to the previous statement. It is useful for adding a balancing point in a polite explanation.
その
In 「そのほうが」, その means that and points back to the larger-road option just discussed. It modifies ほう to identify which option is being evaluated.
ほう
In 「そのほうが」, ほう means the way or option being compared. Together with その, it refers to that route choice as the easier option to follow.
道順
In 「道順を分かりやすく追えます」, 道順 means the route or directions to follow. It is useful when discussing whether someone can understand and follow a sequence of roads.
分かりやすく
In 「分かりやすく追えます」, 分かりやすく means in an easy-to-understand or clear way. It describes how the route can be followed and is useful before an action that should be easy to understand.
追えます
In 「道順を分かりやすく追えます」, 追えます means can follow or trace. It politely expresses the ability to follow the directions or route.
それ
In 「それで大丈夫です」, それ refers to the route arrangement that the driver has just proposed. It is useful for accepting or evaluating something already mentioned.
で
In 「それで大丈夫です」, で indicates that the stated arrangement is the basis or condition being accepted. The whole phrase means that arrangement is all right.
大丈夫
In 「それで大丈夫です」, 大丈夫 means all right or acceptable. It is useful when agreeing that a plan or situation causes no problem.
急いで
In 「急いでいません」, 急いで expresses being in a hurry. With いません, the passenger says that there is no need to rush.
いません
In 「急いでいません」, いません makes the statement negative and polite. Together with 急いで, it says that the speaker is not currently in a hurry.
ここ
In 「ここから」, ここ means here and identifies the current location. It is useful when marking the point from which a new action or route will begin.
狭い
In 「狭い脇道」, 狭い means narrow and describes the limited width of the side streets. It is placed before the noun it describes.
脇道
In 「狭い脇道」, 脇道 means a side street or smaller road branching away from a main road. It is useful when distinguishing such roads from larger main routes.
避けます
In 「脇道を避けます」, 避けます means will avoid. The driver uses this polite form to state a planned action concerning the roads from this point.
説明
In 「ルートを説明して」, 説明 means an explanation or the act of explaining. With a route as its object, it refers to describing where the taxi is going.
して
In 「説明してくださって」, して links the action of explaining to the following appreciative expression. It shows that the explanation is the action for which the passenger is thankful.
くださって
In 「説明してくださってありがとうございます」, くださって presents the other person's action as a favor received by the speaker and expresses respect. This construction is useful when thanking someone politely for doing something.
ありがとうございます
In 「ありがとうございます」, the whole expression means thank you in a polite way. ありがとう expresses gratitude, and ございます makes the expression more polite and respectful.
また
In 「また変更する」, また means again and shows that the route may be changed one more time. It is useful when referring to a repeated action.
変更
In 「変更する必要」, 変更 means a change or alteration. The pattern 「変更する」 is useful when talking about changing a plan, route, or arrangement.
あれば
In 「必要があれば」, あれば means if there is or if there is a need. It introduces the condition under which the driver will give another notice.
お知らせ
In 「お知らせします」, お知らせ means informing someone or letting someone know. This polite expression is useful when promising to provide information later.
します
In 「お知らせします」, します completes the polite verb expression and gives it the meaning will inform or will let you know. It presents the driver's promised action respectfully.
Grammar Points
〜ていただけますか
できれば、広いルートを通っていただけますか。
deh-kee-REH-bah, HEE-roh-ee ROO-toh oh toh-OT-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-MAHS-kahIf possible, could you take the wider route?
A very polite way to ask someone to do something. いただけますか makes the request more respectful.
できれば、〜
できれば、脇道を避けてください。
deh-kee-REH-bah, wah-kee-MEE-chee oh sah-KEH-teh koo-dah-SAIIf possible, please avoid the side streets.
できれば means “if possible” and softens a request or suggestion.
Japanese Vocabulary
この先
phrase
koh-noh SAH-kee
ahead; farther along from here
すみません
intj
soo-mee-mah-SEN
excuse me
ルート
noun
ROO-toh
route
迂回する
verb
oo-KAI soo-roo
to take a detour
遠回り
noun
toh-oh-mah-REE
detour; longer way around
見覚えがない
phrase
mee-oh-BOO-eh gah NAI
not to recognize; to have no familiarity with
渋滞
noun
joo-TAI
traffic jam
通る
verb
toh-ROO
to go through; to take a route
通っている
通行止め
noun
tsoo-KOH-doh-MEH
road closure; blocked passage
道路
noun
DOH-roh
road
必要
noun
hee-TSOO-yoh
necessity; need
別の
det
BEH-tsu noh
different; another
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to go through; to take a route
Show Answer
通っているroad closure; blocked passage
Show Answer
通行止めto take a detour
Show Answer
迂回するexcuse me