Confirming delay information and where to wait | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: During a travel delay, two travelers discuss an unclear announcement and decide where to wait for updated boarding information..

EN → JA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Confirming delay information and where to wait to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

アナウンスでは遅延があると言っていますが、理由は伝えていません。

ah-NOWN-soo deh-WAH chee-EN gah ah-ROO toh EET-teh ee-MAH-soo gah, REE-yoo wah tsoo-tah-EH-teh ee-mah-SEN. The announcement says there is a delay, but it does not say why.
B

乗客を乗せる前に、係員が列車を点検しているのだと思います。

joh-KYAH-koo oh noh-SEH-roo mah-EH nee, kah-kah-REE-in gah REHSH-shah oh TEN-ken shee-teh EE-roo noh dah toh oh-moh-EE-mah-soo. I think they are checking the train before letting people board.
A

ここにいるべきでしょうか、それとも別のホームを探すべきでしょうか。

KOH-koh nee EE-roo beh-kee deh-SHOH-kah, soh-reh-toh-MOH BEH-tsoo-noh HOH-moo oh sah-GAH-soo beh-kee deh-SHOH-kah. Should we stay here, or should we look for another platform?
B

今は近くで待ちましょう。変更があれば、係員がどこへ行けばよいか案内してくれます。

EE-mah wah CHEE-kah-koo deh mah-chee-mah-SHOH. hen-KOH gah ah-reh-bah, kah-kah-REE-in gah doh-koh EH EE-keh-bah yoh-ee kah ah-nah-ee shee-teh koo-reh-mah-SOO. Stay close for now. If it changes, staff will say where to go.
A

荷物があるので、あちこち移動し続けたくありません。

nee-MOH-tsoo gah ah-ROO noh-DEH. ah-chee-KOH-chee ee-DOH shee-tsoo-keh-tah-koo ah-ree-mah-SEN. I have luggage, so I do not want to keep moving around.
B

別のホームへ移る必要があれば、手伝ってもらえるか係員に聞いてみます。

BEH-tsoo-noh HOH-moo EH oo-TSOO-roo nee-TSOO-yoh gah ah-reh-bah, teh-tsoo-DAHT-teh moh-rah-EH-roo kah kah-kah-REE-in nee KEE-teh mee-MAH-soo. I will ask whether they can help if we need to switch platforms.
A

直前に変更になった場合は、それが助かります。

CHOH-koo-ZEN nee hen-KOH nee nah-tah bah-AH-ee wah, soh-REH gah tah-soo-KAH-ree-mah-soo. That would help if the change comes at the last minute.
B

電光掲示板が更新されれば、推測せずに移動できます。

den-KOH keh-ee-JEE-bahn gah koh-SHEEN sah-reh-reh-bah, swee-SOH-koo seh-zoo nee ee-DOH deh-kee-mah-SOO. Once they update the board, we can move without guessing.

Word by Word

アナウンス アナウンス means an announcement, here the station announcement about the delay. In アナウンスでは, it identifies the announcement as the source of the information. This is useful when referring to spoken information at a station or airport.
で Here, で in アナウンスでは marks the announcement as the setting or means through which the information is given. Together with アナウンス, it means “in or through the announcement.” The same particle can mark where an action takes place or what means is used.
は は in アナウンスでは marks アナウンス as the topic of the statement. It presents what the announcement says before the sentence gives its content. In this line, the topic is the announcement rather than the delay itself.
遅延 遅延 means a delay, specifically the travel delay discussed in this scene. In 遅延がある, it is the thing that exists: “there is a delay.” This word is useful for reporting a delay in transport or a schedule.
が が in 遅延がある marks 遅延 as the subject of ある. The phrase 遅延がある means that a delay exists. This particle commonly marks the thing that exists or occurs in such a statement.
ある ある means “there is” in 遅延がある, so the line says that a delay exists. It describes the presence of a nonliving situation or thing. The pattern 遅延がある can be reused when reporting that a delay is present.
と と in 遅延があると言っています marks 遅延がある as the content being reported. It links the quoted information to 言っています. Here, it does not mean “and”; it marks what is being said.
言って 言って means “saying” in 言っています. This form connects the reported content to います, showing that the announcement is currently saying it. The exact pattern 遅延があると言っています reports what an announcement or person says.
います います in 言っています completes the polite ongoing expression “is saying.” It presents the announcement’s statement as current information. In this form, います functions with 言って rather than meaning that a person is physically present.
理由 理由 means the reason for something, here the reason for the delay. In 理由は伝えていません, it is the information that has not been communicated. This word is useful when asking or explaining why an event happened.
伝えて 伝えて means “communicating” or “telling” in 理由は伝えていません. It connects the act of communicating the reason to the negative auxiliary いません. The pattern 理由を伝える is used for telling someone the reason.
いません いません in 伝えていません makes the ongoing communication negative, meaning that the reason is not being communicated. It is the polite negative part of the expression. Here it does not mean that someone is absent.
乗客 乗客 means a passenger, the person being allowed onto the train in this line. In 乗客を乗せる, it is the person affected by the action. This word is useful in travel announcements and transport situations.
を を in 乗客を乗せる marks 乗客 as the object of 乗せる. It shows who is being put onto or allowed onto the train. The pattern 乗客を乗せる describes letting passengers board.
乗せる 乗せる means to put someone on or let someone board, here referring to passengers boarding the train. In 乗客を乗せる, the passenger is the object of this action. This expression is useful when discussing boarding or putting a person in a vehicle.
前 前 in 乗せる前に means “before,” referring to the time before passengers are allowed to board. It places one action earlier than another. The pattern 乗せる前に introduces something done before boarding.
に に in 乗せる前に marks 前 as the time point before which the next situation is considered. Together, 乗せる前に means “before letting passengers board.” This use of に follows a time expression.
係員 係員 means a staff member responsible for assisting or managing the situation. In this dialogue, 係員 is checking the train and later giving directions. This word is useful for station, airport, or venue staff.
列車 列車 means a train, the vehicle being checked before passengers board. In 列車を点検している, it is the thing receiving the inspection. This word is used when referring specifically to a train in a transport context.
点検 点検 means checking or inspecting something, here checking the train before boarding. In 点検している, it describes the inspection currently in progress. This word is useful for safety or equipment checks.
して して in 点検している connects 点検 to いる. It turns the action of checking into the form used before the ongoing auxiliary. The exact expression 点検している means that the inspection is in progress.
いる いる in 点検している helps show that the checking is currently continuing. Together with 点検して, it gives the meaning “is checking.” In this expression, it is not describing a person’s location.
の の in 点検しているのだと思います packages the situation 点検している as the content of the speaker’s explanation or belief. It helps give the following statement an explanatory tone. Here, it is part of the whole expression 点検しているのだと思います.
だ だ in 点検しているのだと思います adds an explanatory copula before 思います. The complete expression presents the ongoing inspection as the speaker’s understanding. Its meaning comes from the whole construction, not from だ alone.
思います 思います means “I think” or “I believe” in 点検しているのだと思います. It shows that the speaker is giving an interpretation rather than stating confirmed information. This polite form is useful when offering a careful opinion.
ここ ここ means “here,” referring to the travelers’ current location at the station. In ここにいるべきでしょうか, it identifies the place where they may remain. This word is useful when directing attention to the speaker’s immediate location.
べき べき in ここにいるべきでしょうか expresses what would be proper or advisable: staying here. It follows いる and contributes the idea of “should stay.” The pattern ここにいるべき asks whether remaining in a place is the right choice.
でしょう でしょう in ここにいるべきでしょうか softens the question and presents it as a matter for consideration. With べき, the question asks whether they should stay here. This polite form is useful when asking for an opinion about the appropriate action.
か か at the end of ここにいるべきでしょうか marks the sentence as a question. It turns the preceding proposal about staying here into a request for a decision. In this line, it helps contrast the two possible actions.
それとも それとも introduces the alternative in ここにいるべきでしょうか、それとも別のホームを探すべきでしょうか. It means “or” when choosing between two questions or options. This expression is useful for presenting an alternative clearly.
別 別 in 別のホーム means “different” or “another,” distinguishing that platform from the current one. It modifies ホーム to identify an alternative platform. This pattern is useful when comparing the current option with another one.
ホーム ホーム means a train platform in 別のホームを探す. It is the place the travelers may need to find if the current location is not suitable. This word is useful when discussing where to board or wait for a train.
探す 探す means “look for” or “search for,” here referring to looking for another platform. In 別のホームを探す, 別のホーム is the object being sought. This pattern is useful when trying to find a different place or item.
今 今 means “now,” referring to the present moment during the delay. In 今は近くで待ちましょう, it sets the time for the immediate plan. This word is useful when distinguishing the current action from a later action.
近く 近く means “nearby” or “close by” in 近くで待ちましょう. It describes the place where the travelers should wait. The pattern 近くで待つ is useful when agreeing to wait near the current location.
待ちましょう 待ちましょう means “let’s wait” in the polite suggestion 今は近くで待ちましょう. It proposes a shared action for the speaker and listener. This form is useful when suggesting that people remain in place until more information arrives.
変更 変更 means a change, here a change to the travel or boarding information. In 変更があれば, it is the event that may occur. This word is useful for schedule, platform, or travel-information changes.
あれば あれば in 変更があれば means “if there is” or “if it occurs.” It makes the possible change a condition for the staff’s guidance. The pattern 変更があれば is useful when explaining what will happen if travel information changes.
どこ どこ means “where,” asking about the destination in どこへ行けばよいか. It identifies the place the travelers need to go. This word is useful when asking for directions.
へ へ in どこへ行けばよいか marks the direction toward the place being asked about. Together with どこ, it means “where to.” This particle is useful when describing movement toward a destination.
行けば 行けば means “if one goes” in どこへ行けばよいか. It forms the conditional part of the question about the correct destination. Together with よい, it asks where it would be appropriate to go.
よい よい in 行けばよい contributes the idea of being appropriate or acceptable. The whole expression どこへ行けばよいか means “where one should go” or “where it is best to go.” This pattern is useful when asking for the correct action or destination.
案内 案内 means guidance or directions, here the information staff will provide about where to go. In 案内してくれます, it is the helpful guidance given to the travelers. This word is useful when asking for directions or assistance in a public place.
くれます くれます in 案内してくれます shows that the staff will provide the guidance for the travelers’ benefit. The complete expression means that staff will tell them where to go. This form is useful when describing someone doing something helpful for the speaker or group.
荷物 荷物 means luggage or baggage, which makes moving around repeatedly inconvenient in this line. In 荷物があるので, it gives the reason for not wanting to keep moving. This word is useful when discussing bags during travel.
ので ので in 荷物があるので means “because” or “since,” introducing the reason for the speaker’s preference. The complete clause 荷物があるので explains why the speaker does not want to move around. This connector is useful for giving a reason in a polite, explanatory way.
あちこち あちこち means “here and there” or “around different places” in あちこち移動し続けたくありません. It emphasizes movement from place to place rather than one simple move. This word is useful when describing repeated movement around an area.
移動 移動 means moving from one place to another, here moving around the station. In あちこち移動し続けたくありません, it describes the action the speaker wants to avoid continuing. This word is useful for travel or movement between locations.
し続け し続け in 移動し続けたくありません contributes the meaning “continue doing” to the preceding action 移動. It connects the continuing action to the desire form that follows. The exact expression describes not wanting the movement to continue.
たく たく in し続けたくありません is the form used before ありません to express wanting to do the preceding action. With the negative ending, し続けたくありません means “do not want to continue.” It is useful for expressing a preference about whether an action should continue.
ありません ありません in し続けたくありません makes the desire negative, so the speaker does not want to continue moving around. Its meaning here is not simply “do not have”; it completes the negative expression of preference. This polite form is useful when stating that one does not want to do something.
移る 移る means to move or transfer to another place, here moving to a different platform. In ホームへ移る, the platform is the destination of the move. This expression is useful when changing from one platform or location to another.
必要 必要 means necessity or need in ホームへ移る必要があれば. It identifies moving platforms as an action that may become necessary. This pattern is useful when discussing what must be done if circumstances change.
手伝って 手伝って means “helping” in 手伝ってもらえるか. It connects the act of helping to もらえる, which asks whether that help can be received. The exact expression is useful when asking if someone can help with a task.
もらえる もらえる in 手伝ってもらえるか asks whether the travelers can receive someone’s help. Together, 手伝ってもらえるか means “whether we can get help.” This pattern is useful for politely checking whether assistance is available.
聞いて 聞いて means “ask” in 聞いてみます, where the speaker plans to ask the staff. It connects the act of asking to みます. In this context, it means asking for information rather than listening.
みます みます in 聞いてみます adds the meaning “try doing” to 聞いて. The complete expression means “I will try asking.” This form is useful when saying that one will make an attempt to ask or do something.
直前 直前 means immediately before something or at the last moment. In 直前に変更になった場合, it refers to a change occurring just before the relevant travel event. This word is useful when describing a very late change.
なった なった in 変更になった indicates that the situation came to be a change. The complete expression 変更になった場合 refers to the case in which the plan or information changes. This form is useful for describing a situation that has come to be a certain state.
場合 場合 in 変更になった場合 means “case” or “situation.” It turns the preceding situation into a condition: “if the change happens at the last minute.” This pattern is useful when explaining what applies in a particular circumstance.
それ それ in それが助かります refers to the help mentioned in the previous line, such as assistance with changing platforms. It means “that” or “it” without repeating the full idea. This word is useful when referring back to something just discussed.
助かります 助かります means “that would help” or “that would be a relief” in それが助かります. It expresses appreciation for assistance that would make a difficult situation easier. This polite expression is useful when someone offers practical help.
電光掲示板 電光掲示板 means an electronic display board, here the board showing updated boarding information. In 電光掲示板が更新されれば, it is the thing that gets updated. This word is useful at stations, airports, and other transport hubs.
更新されれば 更新されれば means “if it is updated,” referring to the electronic display board. It presents the board’s update as the condition that allows the travelers to move confidently. The pattern 電光掲示板が更新されれば is useful when waiting for official information to change.
推測 推測 means guessing or speculation, here guessing where the travelers should go. In 推測せずに, it names the action they can avoid once the board is updated. This word is useful when distinguishing confirmed information from an assumption.
せずに せずに means “without doing,” and in 推測せずに it means “without guessing.” It links the avoided action to the following action 移動できます. This pattern is useful for saying that something is done without taking a particular action.
できます できます means “can” or “are able to” in 移動できます. It says that the travelers will be able to move once the board is updated and they no longer need to guess. This polite form is useful for expressing ability or a possible action.

Grammar Points

～ている

係員は列車を点検している。

kah-kah-REE-in wah REHSH-shah oh TEN-ken shee-teh EE-roo.

The staff member is inspecting the train.

～ている shows an action in progress or an ongoing state.

～ずに

理由を推測せずに、係員に聞いてみます。

REE-yoo oh swee-SOH-koo seh-zoo-nee, kah-kah-REE-in nee KEE-teh mee-MAH-soo.

I will ask the staff member without guessing the reason.

～ずに means “without doing”; it follows the verb stem in a formal style.

Japanese Vocabulary

アナウンス noun
ah-NOWN-soo announcement
ホーム noun
HOH-moo platform
係員 noun
kah-kah-REE-in staff member; attendant
思う verb
oh-MOH-oo to think 思います
乗客 noun
joh-KYAH-koo passenger
探す verb
sah-GAH-soo to look for; to search for
遅延 noun
chee-EN delay
点検する verb
TEN-ken soo-roo to inspect; to check 点検している
伝える verb
tsoo-tah-EH-roo to convey; to tell 伝えていません
別の det
BEH-tsoo-noh another; different
理由 noun
REE-yoo reason
列車 noun
REHSH-shah train

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to convey; to tell

Show Answer伝えていません

to inspect; to check

Show Answer点検している

announcement

Show Answerアナウンス

to think

Show Answer思います