If you’ve been here before you’ll know that Japan has a system for everything.
And 90% of the time the systems all work ( so much so that its frustrating when I visit other countries as I get a shock when things don’t run like clockwork.)
But the other day I had an issue with a carpark ticket vending machine. It wasn’t taking my money – as in it was just spitting it back out again. I was stressed as I had about 10 minutes to get myself and my little boy to his swimming lesson and we were trapped in the carpark.
Now I was able to follow all the instructions written on the machine. Call the number and tell the call centre staff what had happened – and she fixed the problem immediately.
But it got me thinking … what would I have done if I didn’t speak Japanese?
So I wanted to write up a few phrases that might help in a sticky situation. Of course it wouldn’t be enough to help a non-Japanese speaker make a phone call, or anything to that extent, but something that might help get the ball rolling by asking someone nearby or someone in a shop, for example.
So basically.. I’m hoping that it might get you started? Maybe?
These are the kinds of scenarios that I can think of right now.
Naturally, some potential scenarios contain a higher sense of urgency than others.
I hope that this might be of reference to someone at some point.
I wrote it in Japanese and phonetically so you could choose whether or not you would like to try and say it yourself or prefer to just point.
A TAXI DRIVER DRIVES THE WRONG WAY….
I think you’ve taken the wrong road
道を間違えられたと思います
Michi o machigaerareta to omoimasu
Not this road
この道じゃないです
Kono michi janai desu
Please make a u-turn
ユーターンしてください
Yuu-taan shite kudasai
Excuse me but I will get out now
すみませんが、ここでおります
Sumimasen ga koko de orimasu
A VENDING MACHINE ISN’T WORKING….
The vending machine appears to be broken and isn’t taking my money
自動販売機が故障しているみたいで、お金を受け取れません
Jidouhanbaiki ga koshou shiteirumitai de, okane o uketoremasen
The vending machine took my money but the ticket isn’t coming out
自動販売機にお金を入れたのにチケットが出てきませんでした
Jidouhanbaiki ni okane o ireta no ni, chiketto ga detekimasen deshita
The vending machine took my money but the product didn’t come out
自動販売機にお金を入れたのに商品が出てきませんでした
jidouhanbaiki ni okane o ireta no ni, shouhin ga detekimasen deshita
The machine took my money but the drink isn’t coming out
自動販売機にお金を入れたのに飲み物が出てきませんでした
jidouhanbaiki ni okane o ireta no ni, nomimono ga detekimasen deshita
Please refund my money
お金を返金してください
Okane o henkin shite kudasai
YOU RECEIVE INCORRECT CHANGE (just for the record – Ive never had this happen in Japan – but I’m just thinking of potential scenarios)
Excuse me. I think this amount (of change) is incorrect.
すみません。おつりを間違えられたと思います
Sumimasen. Otsuri o machigaerareta to omoimasu
I don’t think this amount (of change) is enough
おつりが足りないと思います
Otsuri ga tarinai to omoimasu
Please check again
再確認してください
Saikakunin shite kudasai
I have a receipt
レシートを持っています
Reshiito wo motteimasu
I don’t a receipt.
レシートを持っていません
Reshiito o motteimasen
A CHILD IS MISSING/ OUT OF SIGHT….
My child is lost
私の（子供が）迷子になりました
Watashi no kodomo ga maigo ni narimashita
Please help me.
助けてください
Tasukette kudasai
Please do something.
なんとかして下さい
Nantoka shite kudasai
Is it possible for you to make a (lost child) announcement please?
迷子のアナウンスをしていただくことは可能ですか？
Maigo no anaunsu o shite kudasai
Please take me to the police station.
交番まで連れて行って下さい
Kouban made tsurete itte kudasai
Please call the police.
警察を呼んで下さい
Keisatsu o yonde kudasai
Please help me look.
一緒に探して下さい
Issho ni sagashite kudasai
Please see here for what to do in a medical emergency in Japan.
