About This Lesson
Use Finding an accessible route to the platform to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
恐れ入りますが、目的のホームへ行くためのバリアフリーな経路はありますか。
oh-soh-reh ee-ree-MAHS gah, moh-koo-TEH-kee noh HOHM-oo eh ee-koo TAH-meh noh bah-ree-ah FOO-ree nah KAY-roh wah ah-ree-MAHS kah. Excuse me, is there an accessible way to reach the correct platform?
B
一番近いエレベーターは、現在メンテナンスのため閉鎖されています。
ee-chi-bahn CHEE-kai eh-reh-BEH-tah wah, GEN-zai men-TEH-nahns-oo noh TAH-meh HAY-sah sah-reh-TEH-ee-MAHS. The closest elevator is closed for maintenance at the moment.
A
私の重いスーツケースがあるので、それは難しいかもしれません。
wah-TAH-shee noh oh-MOH-ee SOO-tsoo-KAY-soo gah ah-roo noh-deh, soh-reh wah nahn-SHEE kah moh-SHEH-mahn. That might be difficult with my heavy suitcase.
B
北口のそばにあるエレベーターをお使いください。少し歩くことになります。
KEE-tah-GOO-chee noh soh-bah nee AH-roo eh-reh-BEH-tah o oh-tsoo-kai KOO-dah-sai. SOH-koo-shee AH-roo-koo KOH-toh nee nah-ree-MAHS. Use the elevator by the north entrance. It adds a short walk.
A
そちらへの行き方を教えていただけますか。それとも、案内表示に従えば簡単に行けますか。
soh-chee-rah eh noh ee-kee-TAH o oh-SHEH-teh ee-tah-dah-KEH-mahs kah. soh-reh-toh-moh, ahn-nai hyoh-JEE nee shee-tah-gah-eh-bah kahn-TAHN nee ee-KEH-mahs kah. Could you point me toward it, or are the signs easy to follow?
B
券売機を通り過ぎてから、青い案内表示に従ってください。
KEHN-bai-kee o toh-ree soo-GEE-teh kah-rah, ah-oh-EE ahn-nai hyoh-JEE nee shee-TAHT-teh KOO-dah-sai. Go past the ticket machines, then follow the blue signs.
A
今からでも、発車前にその電車に間に合いますか。
ee-mah kah-rah deh-moh, hah-SHAH MAH-eh nee soh-noh DEN-shah nee mah-nee ah-ee-MAHS kah. Will I still reach the train before it leaves?
B
今出発すれば、余裕を持ってそこに着けるはずです。
ee-mah SHOO-pah-tsoo soo-reh-bah, yoh-YOO o MOHT-teh soh-koh nee TSOO-keh-roo hah-zoo dehss. If you leave now, you should get there with time to spare.
A
では、今からそちらへ向かいます。
deh-wah, ee-mah kah-rah soh-chee-rah eh MOO-kah-ee-MAHS. I'll head that way now.
B
途中で助けが必要になったら、改札の係員に尋ねてください。
toh-choo-deh tah-ZOO-keh gah hee-TSOO-yoh nee nah-NAHT-tah-rah, kai-SAH-tsoo noh kah-kee-IN nee tah-zoo-neh-teh KOO-dah-sai. Ask the gate staff if you need help on the way.Word by Word
恐れ入ります
「恐れ入ります」 is a very polite way to say excuse me before making a request, as in this station question. It softens the request and is commonly used when addressing staff or someone you do not know.
が
In 「恐れ入りますが」, 「が」 connects the polite preface to the request that follows, giving the sentence a soft but-like transition. This pattern is useful before a polite question or request.
目的
In 「目的のホーム」, 「目的」 means the intended or target destination, identifying which platform the traveler needs. It is used before 「の」 to specify the purpose or target of the following noun.
の
In 「目的のホーム」, 「の」 links 「目的」 to 「ホーム」 and means that the platform is the intended one. It commonly connects a noun describing or identifying something to the noun that follows.
ホーム
Here 「ホーム」 means a station platform, not a house. It is used for the platform that the traveler is trying to reach.
へ
In 「ホームへ」, 「へ」 marks the direction or destination toward the platform. It is commonly placed after a place when describing movement toward it.
行く
In 「行くための」, 「行く」 means to go toward the platform. Its plain form appears before 「ため」 to express the purpose of going, a pattern useful for describing what something is for.
ため
In 「行くための経路」, 「ため」 expresses purpose: a route for going to the platform. With 「の」 after it, the purpose phrase describes the following noun, and this pattern is useful for explaining the intended use of a route or object.
バリアフリー
In 「バリアフリーな経路」, 「バリアフリー」 means accessible or designed without barriers for people who may have difficulty using ordinary routes. It describes the route and is followed by 「な」 before the noun.
な
In 「バリアフリーな経路」, 「な」 links 「バリアフリー」 to the noun 「経路」 so that it can describe the route. This form is used when this type of describing word comes directly before a noun.
経路
「経路」 means a route or path, specifically the route to the platform in this dialogue. It is useful when discussing which route someone should take through a station or other place.
は
In 「経路はありますか」, 「は」 marks 「経路」 as the topic being asked about. This topic-marking pattern is useful when asking whether a particular thing or option exists.
あります
In 「経路はありますか」, 「あります」 says that the route exists or is available. It is the polite form used for the existence of a thing, facility, or option.
か
At the end of 「ありますか」, 「か」 turns the statement into a polite question. It is commonly placed at the end when asking for information.
一番
In 「一番近い」, 「一番」 means most, making 「近い」 mean the closest one. It is commonly placed before a describing word when selecting the extreme example from several possibilities.
近い
In 「一番近いエレベーター」, 「近い」 means near, and with 「一番」 it identifies the elevator nearest to the traveler. It is useful for comparing the distance of places or facilities.
エレベーター
「エレベーター」 means elevator, the facility whose status and alternative location are being discussed. It is used as the name of a station facility.
現在
「現在」 means currently or at present, indicating the elevator's status at the time of the conversation. It is commonly used in formal announcements or explanations of a present situation.
メンテナンス
In 「メンテナンスのため」, 「メンテナンス」 names the maintenance work causing the closure. With 「のため」, it gives the reason for a facility's current condition.
閉鎖
In 「閉鎖されています」, 「閉鎖」 refers to the closure of the elevator. This word is useful in formal notices or staff explanations about facilities that are not open or available.
されています
In 「閉鎖されています」, 「されています」 presents the elevator as currently being kept in a closed state. This form is useful for explaining an ongoing facility status in a polite way.
私
In 「私の重いスーツケース」, 「私」 means I or my because it is followed by 「の」 and identifies whose suitcase it is. It is commonly used before 「の」 to show possession.
重い
「重い」 means heavy and describes the suitcase the traveler is carrying. It is useful for explaining why carrying or moving something may be difficult.
スーツケース
「スーツケース」 means suitcase, the item that makes the longer route difficult for the traveler. It is used as the noun for luggage in this travel situation.
ある
In 「スーツケースがあるので」, 「ある」 expresses that the suitcase is present, which in context means that the traveler has it with them. It is commonly used with 「が」 for the existence or possession of an inanimate thing.
ので
In 「スーツケースがあるので」, 「ので」 means because or since and introduces the reason the route may be difficult. It commonly follows a clause that explains the reason for a polite statement or request.
それ
In 「それは難しい」, 「それ」 refers to the route or option just discussed and means that or it. It is useful for referring back to a matter already understood from the conversation.
難しい
「難しい」 means difficult, describing the route as hard for the traveler because of the heavy suitcase. It is commonly used to state that an action, plan, or option will be hard.
かもしれません
In 「難しいかもしれません」, the whole expression means might be difficult. 「かも」 adds possibility or uncertainty, while 「しれません」 completes the polite expression of that uncertainty; it is useful when making a cautious judgment.
北口
「北口」 means the north entrance, which identifies the location of the alternative elevator. It is useful for naming a specific entrance or exit in a station or building.
そば
In 「北口のそば」, 「そば」 means near or beside the north entrance. It is commonly used with 「の」 to locate one place or object close to another.
に
In 「そばにあるエレベーター」, 「に」 marks the location where the elevator is situated. It is commonly used with 「ある」 to describe where an inanimate thing exists.
を
In 「エレベーターをお使いください」, 「を」 marks the elevator as the thing to use. It commonly identifies the direct object of an action.
お使いください
「お使いください」 is a polite request meaning please use. 「お」 gives the request a polite form, 「使い」 supplies the meaning use, and 「ください」 makes it a request; this expression is useful for giving courteous instructions about a facility.
少し
In 「少し歩く」, 「少し」 means a little or slightly, showing that the alternative route requires only a small amount of walking. It commonly limits the amount or degree of an action or description.
歩く
In 「歩くことになります」, 「歩く」 means to walk, referring to the extra walking required by the alternative route. It is useful when describing movement on foot or the amount of walking in a route.
ことになります
In 「歩くことになります」, the whole expression means that the result will be that the traveler has to walk. 「こと」 turns the preceding action into a situation, 「に」 marks the resulting state, and 「なります」 expresses that it comes to be; this pattern is useful for explaining an unavoidable result or consequence.
そちら
「そちら」 means that direction or there, referring politely to the alternative elevator's location. It is useful when indicating a destination already identified in the conversation.
行き方
「行き方」 means the way to get somewhere, here the way to reach the alternative elevator. It is commonly used when asking for or explaining directions to a destination.
教えていただけますか
「教えていただけますか」 is a very polite request meaning could you tell me. 「教えて」 asks someone to tell or explain, 「いただけます」 politely presents receiving that favor as something possible, and 「か」 makes it a question; this is useful for asking for directions or information.
それとも
「それとも」 introduces an alternative and means or, alternatively in this question. 「それ」 points to the other option and 「とも」 helps form the alternative connector; it is useful when presenting a second possibility in a question.
案内表示
「案内表示」 means directional signs or guidance displays, the signs the traveler can follow through the station. It is useful for referring to posted information that guides people around a building or facility.
従えば
In 「案内表示に従えば」, 「従えば」 means if one follows, referring to following the directional signs. The ending 「ば」 makes this a condition, and the pattern is useful for stating what happens if someone follows a route, rule, or instruction.
簡単
In 「簡単に行けます」, 「簡単」 means easy or simple and describes reaching the destination as not difficult. It is useful for evaluating how easy an action or route is.
行けます
In 「簡単に行けます」, 「行けます」 means can go or can get there, expressing that the destination is reachable. It is useful when confirming that someone can reach a place or complete a route.
券売機
「券売機」 means ticket machine, the landmark the traveler should pass in the station. It is useful when giving directions using a station facility as a reference point.
通り過ぎて
In 「券売機を通り過ぎて」, 「通り過ぎて」 means go past or pass by the ticket machines. Its linking form connects this first movement with the next instruction, and it is commonly used when giving directions past a landmark.
から
In 「通り過ぎてから」, 「から」 means after, showing that the signs should be followed once the traveler has passed the ticket machines. This pattern is useful for ordering two actions in sequence.
青い
「青い」 means blue and identifies the color of the signs to follow. It is useful when distinguishing one sign, object, or route from others by color.
従ってください
「従ってください」 is a polite instruction meaning please follow. 「従って」 links the action of following to 「ください」, which makes it a request; in this dialogue it is used for following signs and is useful for giving courteous directions.
今
「今」 means now and refers to the present moment when the traveler is deciding whether to leave. It is commonly used to locate an action in the current time.
でも
In 「今でも」, 「でも」 means even now or still at this point, emphasizing that the traveler may still make the train. It commonly follows a time expression when asking whether something remains possible.
発車前
「発車前」 means before departure, specifically before the train leaves the station. It combines the departure event with 「前」 and is useful for setting a deadline before a scheduled event.
その
In 「その電車」, 「その」 means that or the mentioned and points to the train already understood from the conversation. It is placed directly before the noun it identifies.
電車
「電車」 means train, the train the traveler is trying to catch. It is used for the train service in this station context.
間に合います
In 「電車に間に合います」, 「間に合います」 means be in time for or make the train. It is useful when checking whether there is enough time to catch a scheduled event or departure.
出発すれば
In 「今出発すれば」, 「出発すれば」 means if you leave or if you depart now. The ending 「ば」 forms the condition, and this pattern is useful for presenting an action as the condition for a predicted result.
余裕
In 「余裕を持って」, 「余裕」 means extra time or leeway, indicating that the traveler should arrive with time remaining. It is useful for talking about spare time, space, or capacity.
持って
In 「余裕を持って」, 「持って」 contributes the idea of keeping or having spare time while carrying out the action. The linking form connects this manner with arriving, and the pattern is useful for saying that something is done with a reserve or margin.
そこ
「そこ」 means there and refers to the destination reached by following the route. It is useful for pointing to a place already identified in the conversation.
着ける
In 「そこに着ける」, 「着ける」 means can arrive or can get to the place. It expresses the possibility of reaching a destination and is useful when confirming whether a route leads somewhere successfully.
はず
In 「着けるはずです」, 「はず」 expresses the expectation that the traveler should be able to arrive. It is useful for giving a confident prediction based on the available information.
です
In 「はずです」, 「です」 makes the expectation polite and completes the sentence. It is commonly used after noun-like expressions to give a polite statement.
では
「では」 means well then or in that case and marks the speaker's decision to act. 「で」 frames the current situation and 「は」 sets that situation as the conversational topic; it is useful when moving from information to a decision or next action.
向かいます
「向かいます」 means head toward or go toward, referring to moving in the indicated direction. It is useful when announcing that you are now setting off for a destination.
途中
In 「途中で」, 「途中」 means on the way or during the journey. It is useful for describing something that happens before reaching the final destination.
で
In 「途中で」, 「で」 marks the situation or point during the journey where help may become necessary. It is commonly used to mark where or during what situation an event occurs.
助け
In 「助けが必要」, 「助け」 means help or assistance. It is used as the thing that may be needed, which is a useful pattern when stating what kind of support someone requires.
必要
In 「助けが必要になったら」, 「必要」 means necessary or needed. With 「助けが」, it identifies help as what is needed, and this pattern is useful for stating a requirement.
なったら
In 「必要になったら」, 「なったら」 means if it becomes or if it comes to be, so the phrase means if help becomes necessary. The 「たら」 ending makes the condition, and this pattern is useful when an action depends on a change of state.
改札
「改札」 means ticket gate, the place where the traveler can find the relevant staff. It is useful for identifying the ticket-control area of a station.
係員
「係員」 means a staff member or attendant responsible for assisting people. In this dialogue it refers to the person working at the ticket gate, and it is useful in formal references to facility staff.
尋ねてください
「尋ねてください」 is a polite instruction meaning please ask or please inquire. 「尋ねて」 links the asking action to 「ください」, which makes it a request; it is useful when directing someone to ask a staff member for help or information.
Grammar Points
～てから
通り過ぎてから、券売機をお使いください。
toh-ree soo-GEE-teh kah-rah, KEHN-bai-kee o oh-tsoo-kai KOO-dah-sai.After going past, please use the ticket machine.
～てから means “after doing something.” The second action happens only after the first action is complete.
～前に
発車前に、改札の係員に尋ねてください。
hah-SHAH MAH-eh nee, kai-SAH-tsoo noh kah-kee-IN nee tah-zoo-neh-teh KOO-dah-sai.Before departure, please ask the gate staff.
～前に means “before.” It places one action or event before another.
Japanese Vocabulary
お使いください
verb
oh-tsoo-kai KOO-dah-sai
please use
北口のそばにあるエレベーターをお使いください。
スーツケース
noun
SOO-tsoo-KAY-soo
suitcase
私の重いスーツケースがあるので、それは難しいかもしれません。
そばにある
phrase
soh-bah nee AH-roo
located by; near
北口のそばにあるエレベーターをお使いください。
バリアフリーな経路
phrase
bah-ree-ah FOO-ree nah KAY-roh
an accessible route
恐れ入りますが、目的のホームへ行くためのバリアフリーな経路はありますか。
メンテナンス
noun
men-TEH-nahns-oo
maintenance
一番近いエレベーターは、現在メンテナンスのため閉鎖されています。
案内表示
noun
ahn-nai hyoh-JEE
signs; directional signs
そちらへの行き方を教えていただけますか。それとも、案内表示に従えば簡単に行けますか。
一番近い
adj
ee-chi-bahn CHEE-kai
closest
一番近いエレベーターは、現在メンテナンスのため閉鎖されています。
恐れ入りますが
phrase
oh-soh-reh ee-ree-MAHS gah
Excuse me; I'm sorry to trouble you
恐れ入りますが、目的のホームへ行くためのバリアフリーな経路はありますか。
重い
adj
oh-MOH-ee
heavy
私の重いスーツケースがあるので、それは難しいかもしれません。
閉鎖されています
verb
HAY-sah sah-reh-TEH-ee-MAHS
is closed
一番近いエレベーターは、現在メンテナンスのため閉鎖されています。
北口
noun
KEE-tah-GOO-chee
north entrance
北口のそばにあるエレベーターをお使いください。
目的のホーム
phrase
moh-koo-TEH-kee noh HOHM-oo
the correct platform
恐れ入りますが、目的のホームへ行くためのバリアフリーな経路はありますか。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
the correct platform
Show Answer
目的のホームsuitcase
Show Answer
スーツケースclosest
Show Answer
一番近いan accessible route