Discussing rebooking after a possible missed connection | Learn Japanese in English

Sentence explanations

1. この遅れのせいで、乗り継ぎに間に合わないかもしれません。

   I might miss my connection because of this delay.

   この

   this

   遅れ

   delay

   のせいで

   because of

   乗り継ぎ

   connection

   間に合わない

   not make it in time

   かもしれません

   might

   More detail

   この means “this” and is a demonstrative that normally comes before a noun: この + noun. Here it identifies 遅れ as the delay being referred to. The form does not itself express number or gender. A useful contrast is その (“that,” associated with the listener or previously mentioned information) and あの (“that,” more distant from both speakers). 遅れ is the noun “delay” here. It is related to the verb 遅れる (“to be delayed; to be late”); the noun names the resulting delay or lateness. For example, 電車の遅れ means “a train delay.” This noun is also used in 遅れが確定する (“the delay is confirmed”), as in the supplied following sentence. のせいで marks an unfavorable cause: noun + のせいで means “because of the noun” or “due to the noun,” with the result viewed negatively. In this sentence, この遅れのせいで means “because of this delay.” For a neutral or favorable cause, Japanese often uses ので or ため instead; のせいで specifically suits an unwanted consequence. 乗り継ぎ means “connection” or “transfer” in the travel sense. It is related to 乗り継ぐ, “to transfer between vehicles or continue a journey by changing vehicles.” In 乗り継ぎに間に合う, the particle に marks the event or deadline that someone manages to catch: “make the connection in time.” Example: 次の乗り継ぎに間に合いました。 — “I made my next connection in time.” 間に合わない means “not make it in time” here. Its affirmative base form is 間に合う (“be in time; make it”), and 間に合わない is its negative form. The negative ending ない belongs to the verb 間に合う, not to 乗り継ぎ. The pattern Nに間に合う means “be in time for N,” while Nに間に合わない means “not be in time for N.” Example: 授業に間に合わない。 — “I won’t make it to class in time.” かもしれません expresses possibility: “might” or “may.” It follows the plain form of the preceding clause, so 間に合わないかもしれません means “might not make it in time.” かもしれません is a polite way to state uncertainty; it does not assert that missing the connection will happen. The more casual counterpart is かもしれない. Together, この遅れのせいで gives the unfavorable cause, 乗り継ぎに間に合わない says that the speaker may fail to be in time for the connection, and かもしれません marks that outcome as uncertain. The whole utterance therefore means: “I might miss my connection because of this delay.”

2. 遅れが確定したら、サービスカウンターで別の経路を調べてもらえます。

   The service desk can check other routes once the delay is confirmed.

   遅れ

   delay

   確定したら

   once confirmed

   サービスカウンター

   service desk

   別の

   another

   経路

   route

   調べてもらえます

   can have checked

   More detail

   遅れ means “delay.” It is a noun and can be used in compounds such as 遅れのせいで (“because of the delay”), as in the preceding sentence. Here it identifies the delay whose status matters. 確定したら means “once it is confirmed.” 確定する is the base form, meaning “be confirmed” or “be finalized”; 確定した is its past form, and adding ら creates a conditional. With an event that is expected to happen, V-たら commonly means “when/once V happens,” not necessarily “if” in the doubtful sense. Example: 予定が確定したら、連絡します。 — “Once the schedule is finalized, I’ll get in touch.” サービスカウンター is a service desk or service counter. The place where an action occurs is marked with で: サービスカウンターで means “at the service desk.” This is a loanword expression, and カウンター here refers to a staffed counter, not a numerical counter. 別の means “another” or “different.” It modifies the noun that follows it, 経路; it does not itself state a numerical count. The pattern 別のN is reusable for requesting or identifying an alternative: 別の方法 means “a different method.” 経路 means “route” or “path,” especially a route used for travel or movement. In this sentence it is the route to be checked. 別の経路 therefore means “another route,” with 別の specifying that it differs from the route currently under consideration. 調べてもらえます is built from 調べる (“check” or “look into”), its て form 調べて, and もらえる (“can receive [the benefit of someone’s action]”), here in polite form. The pattern V-てもらえます presents the possibility of having someone perform V as a favor or service. In this context, the service desk can check the routes; the construction frames that check as a service available to the traveler. Example: 係員に時間を調べてもらえます。 — “I can have a staff member check the time for me.” Together, 遅れが確定したら sets the condition: “once the delay is confirmed.” サービスカウンターで gives the location, 別の経路 gives the alternative route, and 調べてもらえます says that the service desk can check it as a service. The complete meaning is: “The service desk can check other routes once the delay is confirmed.”

3. 後で急ぐより、今のうちに計画を立てたいです。

   I would rather make a plan now than rush later.

   後で

   later

   急ぐ

   to hurry

   より

   than

   今のうちに

   now, while there is still time

   計画

   plan

   立てたいです

   would like to make

   More detail

   後で means “later” and is built from 後 (“after/later”) plus で, which marks the time when something happens. It commonly appears with a future action: 後で電話します。—“I’ll call later.” 急ぐ means “to hurry” or “to be in a hurry.” This is the dictionary form of the verb; its polite non-past form is 急ぎます. Here it is the action being avoided or compared with the preferred action, not an action the speaker says they will perform. より marks the comparison standard in the pattern AよりB: “B rather than A” or “B more than A,” depending on the sentence. In this utterance, 後で急ぐより sets up “rather than hurry later.” It is not the English word “than” attached to a standalone noun comparison only; it can also compare actions or situations. 今のうちに means “now, while there is still time” or “before the current opportunity disappears.” The expression 今のうちに is useful when an action should be completed during the present favorable period: 今のうちに予約しましょう。—“Let’s make the reservation now, while we still can.” 計画 means “plan.” It is a noun and can combine with verbs such as 計画を立てる, literally “make a plan.” 立てたいです contains 立てる, “to make” or “form” in this use, plus たい, which expresses the speaker’s desire to do the action, and polite です. The relevant base form is 立てる; 立てたい is its たい-form, “want to make.” With 計画を, 計画を立てたいです means “I would like to make a plan.” The verb 立てる is transitive here: 計画を identifies what is being made. For example, 予定を立てたいです。—“I would like to make a schedule.” Together, 後で急ぐより今のうちに計画を立てたいです follows the reusable pattern AよりBたいです: “I would rather want to do B than do A.” The comparison is between 後で急ぐ, “hurry later,” and 今のうちに計画を立てる, “make a plan now while there is still time.” Thus the whole utterance means, “I would rather make a plan now than rush later.”

4. では、選択肢を比べてみましょう。ただ、変わる可能性があることは覚えておいてください。

   Then let us compare the options, but keep in mind they may change.

   では

   then; in that case

   選択肢

   options

   比べてみましょう

   let’s compare

   ただ

   but; however

   変わる

   change

   可能性

   possibility

   あること

   the fact that there is

   覚えておいてください

   please keep in mind

   More detail

   では signals a transition such as “then” or “in that case.” Here it moves from making a plan to the next suggestion. Example: では、始めましょう。 — “Then, let’s begin.” 選択肢 means “option” or “alternative.” Japanese normally does not mark ordinary plural nouns, so it can mean one option or multiple options; the translation makes the plural reading clear here. Example: 選択肢が三つあります。 — “There are three options.” 比べてみましょう combines 比べる, “to compare,” with 〜てみる, “to try doing,” and the polite volitional ending 〜ましょう, “let’s …”. Thus, 比べてみましょう proposes trying the activity of comparing. The form 比べる is the dictionary form; its て form is 比べて. Example: 二つの案を比べてみましょう。 — “Let’s try comparing the two proposals.” ただ introduces a contrast: “but” or “however.” It connects the comparison proposal with an important qualification. It is different from ただの, which can mean “mere” or “just” before a noun. 変わる is the intransitive verb “to change” or “to become different.” In this sentence it refers to the options’ potentially changing, as expressed by the surrounding clause; it does not mean that someone actively changes them. Its dictionary form is 変わる. A useful contrast is 変える, “to change something,” which is transitive: 予定を変える means “change the schedule.” Example: 予定が変わるかもしれません。 — “The schedule may change.” 可能性 means “possibility” or “likelihood.” In 変わる可能性, it turns the preceding verb into the content whose possibility is being discussed: “the possibility of changing.” The pattern verb-dictionary-form + 可能性がある means “there is a possibility that …”; it does not itself assert that the change will happen. あること contains ある, “to exist” or “to be present,” followed by こと, which nominalizes the preceding content. Here 変わる可能性があること means “the fact that there is a possibility of change” or, more naturally in English, “that they may change.” The ある is not the main action being requested; it helps state that this possibility exists. 覚えておいてください combines 覚える, “to remember,” with 〜ておく, which presents something as retained or kept in a prepared state, and the polite request ください. In this context, 覚えておいてください means “please keep in mind.” It is more suitable here than a bare request to memorize a fact. Example: この番号を覚えておいてください。 — “Please keep this number in mind.” Together, では、選択肢を比べてみましょう means “Then, let’s compare the options.” ただ adds the contrast, and 変わる可能性があることは覚えておいてください asks the listener to keep in mind that the options may change. The topic marker は highlights that possibility as the point to remember, giving the complete meaning: “Then let us compare the options, but keep in mind they may change.”

5. ここで、柔軟に予約を変更できるか確認してもらえますか。

   Can you check whether flexible rebooking is available here?

   ここで

   here

   柔軟に

   flexibly

   予約

   booking

   変更できる

   can change

   確認してもらえますか

   Could you check?

   More detail

   ここで means “here” in this situation or place. The particle で marks the setting where an action or check takes place. Example: ここで待ちます。 — “I’ll wait here.” 柔軟に means “flexibly” here. It is the adverbial form of the な-adjective 柔軟な (“flexible”): 柔軟な対応 means “a flexible response,” while 柔軟に対応する means “to respond flexibly.” The adverb modifies the following change-related action. 予約 means “reservation” or “booking.” It is a noun and can combine with verbs such as 予約する (“make a reservation”) and 予約を変更する (“change a reservation”). Example: 予約を変更します。 — “I’ll change the reservation.” 変更できる means “can change” or “be able to change.” 変更する is the base verb “to change,” and できる expresses ability or possibility. In 予約を変更できる, 予約を is the thing being changed; the form does not mean that the reservation itself has the ability to change. Example: 予約を変更できます。 — “I can change the reservation.” 確認してもらえますか is a polite request meaning “Could you check?” It combines 確認する (“to check” or “confirm”) with 〜てもらう, which presents the speaker as receiving the favor of someone’s action. もらえますか asks whether that favor can be provided. The person who will check is understood from the situation rather than expressed in the sentence. Example: 内容を確認してもらえますか。 — “Could you check the details?” The embedded question is formed by placing か after 柔軟に予約を変更できる: 柔軟に予約を変更できるか means “whether flexible change of the reservation is possible.” 確認してもらえますか then politely asks the listener to check that question. Together, ここで、柔軟に予約を変更できるか確認してもらえますか。 means “Can you check whether flexible rebooking is available here?” The wording is a polite request to verify the possibility of changing the booking flexibly, without stating that such a change is definitely available.

6. 聞いてみますが、運行会社の承認が必要です。

   I can ask, but the operator has to approve it.

   聞いてみます

   will try asking

   運行会社

   operator

   承認

   approval

   必要です

   is necessary

   More detail

   聞いてみます combines 聞く (“to ask”) with 〜てみる, which means trying an action to see what happens. 聞いて is the て-form of 聞く, and みます is the polite nonpast form of みる in this construction; here the whole expression means “I will try asking” or “I can ask.” The polite ending ます presents the action politely and does not by itself specify a separate future tense. Example: 担当者に聞いてみます。— “I’ll try asking the person in charge.” 運行会社 means “the operating company” or “operator”: 運行 refers to operating a service, and 会社 means company. The compound is a noun for the company responsible for running the relevant transport service. In 運行会社の承認, の links that company to the approval, roughly “the operator’s approval.” Example: 運行会社に確認します。— “I’ll check with the operator.” Here に marks the party contacted, whereas の in the source links a company with a noun such as 承認. 承認 is a noun meaning “approval” or “authorization.” It can also be used with する as 承認する, “to approve” or “to authorize.” In the source, it is the thing that is necessary, not the action form 承認する. Example: 予約の変更には承認が必要です。— “Approval is necessary for changing the reservation.” 必要です means “is necessary” or “is required.” 必要 is the adjective-like noun expressing necessity, and です gives it a polite form. In 承認が必要です, the approval is marked by が as what is necessary. This pattern is reusable as X が必要です (“X is necessary/required”); 必要ありません is a polite negative counterpart meaning “is not necessary.” The ending が after 聞いてみます connects the two parts with a contrast: “I will try asking, but …” The second part, 運行会社の承認が必要です, states the condition that the operator’s approval is required. Together, the utterance means: “I can ask, but the operator has to approve it.”

7. 乗り換えの間に十分な時間がある経路を探してください。

   Please look for routes with enough time between transfers.

   乗り換え

   transfer

   間に

   between; during

   十分な

   sufficient; enough

   時間

   time

   ある

   there is; exists

   経路

   route

   探してください

   please look for

   More detail

   乗り換え means “transfer” here. It is a noun and can be reused with の to connect it to another noun: 乗り換えの時間 means “transfer time.” The form itself does not specify who transfers. 間に marks a time interval in which something exists or happens. In this sentence, 乗り換えの間に means “between transfers” or “during the interval between transfers.” The pattern Aの間にB is useful for saying that B occurs within the interval associated with A. 十分な means “sufficient” or “enough” and appears before the noun it describes. It is the attributive form of the na-adjective 十分な; in this use, it describes 時間, not 経路. Example: 十分な休み means “enough rest.” 時間 means “time.” In 十分な時間, it is the amount of time considered sufficient for the relevant purpose. Example: 時間があります。 means “There is time.” ある expresses existence for nonliving things and also means that something is available or exists. Here, 十分な時間がある means “there is enough time.” The particle が marks the thing whose existence is being stated. A common contrast is いる, which is used for people and animals, while ある is used for things and abstract matters such as time. 経路 means “route” or “path,” especially a route considered as a course of travel. It is the noun modified by the preceding clause: 十分な時間がある経路 means “routes for which there is enough time.” Example: 別の経路を選びます。 means “I will choose another route.” 探してください means “please look for” or “please search for.” The base verb is 探す “to look for”; 探して is its te-form, and ください after a te-form makes a polite request. The object of the search is marked by を, giving 経路を探してください “please look for routes.” This request form is different from a plain command and is commonly used for a polite request. Putting the parts together, 乗り換えの間に sets the interval, 十分な時間がある describes the condition of a route, and 経路を探してください asks the listener to search for such routes. The whole utterance means: “Please look for routes with enough time between transfers.”

8. それらを優先します。

   I will put those first.

   それら

   those

   優先します

   will prioritize; will put first

   More detail

   それら means “those” here. それ is the demonstrative for something relatively near the listener or already identified in the discourse, and ら marks a plural/group form. Japanese demonstratives do not inflect for grammatical gender. In this sentence, the translation identifies the referent only as “those”; the sentence itself does not specify exactly what the group contains. Example: それらは重要です。 — “Those are important.” 優先します means “will put first” here. Its base form is 優先する, “to prioritize” or “to give priority to”; します is the polite nonpast form of する. Japanese nonpast forms can describe a future decision or action, so the fixed translation naturally uses “will.” Example: 安全を優先します。 — “I will prioritize safety.” The polite form is suitable for a courteous statement or decision. The particle を marks それら as the object of the verb: それらを優先します is literally structured as “prioritize those.” Together, the utterance means “I will put those first,” with the speaker stating a polite decision to give the identified group priority.

9. これで、次の列車に走って行かなくても済みますね。

   So we are not running for the next train.

   これで

   with this; now

   次の

   next; following

   列車

   train

   走って

   running

   行かなくても済みます

   can manage without going

   ね

   right?; agreed?

   More detail

   これで combines これ (“this”) with で, which marks the means or circumstances. Here it can mean “with this” or “now, under these circumstances.” The utterance does not identify a more specific referent for これ. 次の means “next” or “following” and modifies 列車. More precisely, 次 is a noun and の links it attributively to the following noun; 次の is not an inflected form of an adjective. 列車 means “train,” giving the noun phrase 次の列車 (“the next train”). 走って is the て-form of 走る (“run”). Here it links the running manner to the movement expressed by the following 行く, producing the idea of going by running. For example, 駅まで走って行きます means “I go to the station running” or naturally “I run to the station.” 行かなくても済みます contains the negative form 行かなくても of 行く (“go”) and the polite non-past form 済みます of 済む (“manage; be sufficient”). The pattern 〜なくても済む means “manage without doing ~” or “it is sufficient not to do ~.” With 走って before it, 走って行かなくても済みます means that going there by running is unnecessary. Japanese does not state the subject in this verb form; the fixed translation supplies “we” for this utterance. ね is a sentence-final particle that invites shared confirmation, similar to “right?” here. It does not itself identify a participant or add a separate action. Putting the parts together, これで sets the relevant circumstance, 次の列車 identifies the train, and 走って行かなくても済みますね says that running to it is not necessary. The whole utterance corresponds to the fixed translation: “So we are not running for the next train.”