Volume 1 · Chapter 04

Trains and Directions

Read stations, ask where to go, and recover when you miss something.

Train Japanese is high-value immersion: signs, announcements, maps, and repeated phrases all reinforce each other. The core skill is not translating every announcement. It is recognizing station, platform, destination, transfer, and stop words quickly.

Station words

駅 えき station 改札 かいさつ ticket gate 出口 でぐち exit 乗換 のりかえ transfer 終電 しゅうでん last train 各駅停車 かくえきていしゃ local train 急行 きゅうこう express train 特急 とっきゅう limited express 方面 ほうめん direction / bound for 番線 ばんせん platform number

Ask and confirm

Where is Shinjuku Station?
Does this train go to Shibuya?
I get off at the next station.
I transfer at Tokyo Station.
Which platform number is it?
Where is the Yamanote Line platform?

Destination pattern

Use に行きますか to ask whether a train, bus, or taxi goes somewhere.

Does it go to Tokyo?
Does it go to the airport?
Does this bus go to the station?
Is this Shinjuku-bound?

Direction chunks

It is to the right.
It is to the left.
It is straight ahead.
It is near here.
It is near the stairs.
Exit the ticket gate, then right.
右 みぎ right 左 ひだり left 近く ちかく nearby 階段 かいだん stairs 地下 ちか underground / basement

Announcement chunks

Memorize these as audio chunks. They show up constantly.

Next is Shinjuku.
The train will arrive shortly.
The doors are closing.
Please watch your step.
This train is local.

Drill

Randomized practice

Station Practice

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  1. Meaning

    改札