Community News
Speakin’ Japanese: Park the car
By
Stripes Okinawa August 17, 2021
Shoji Kudaka and Takahiro Takiguchi
Stripes Okinawa August 17, 2021
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The following could be helpful as you navigate Japan and try to find a place to park your car.
“Koko ni kuruma wo tomete mo iidesuka?” = Can I park here? (“koko” = here, “kuruma” = car, “tomete” = park, “iidesuka?” = Can I?)
“Koko wa chuusha kinshi desu.” = No parking here. (“chuusha kinshi” = no parking)
“Doko ni kuruma wo tometara iidesuka” = Where can I park my car? (“doko” = where)
“Chuushajo wa doko ni arimasu ka?” = Where is a parking lot? (“chuushajo” = parking lot, “doko” = where, “arimasu ka?” = is there?)
“Asoko ni arimasu.” = There is one over there. (“asoko” = over there, “koko” = here)
“Ichi-jikan ikura desuka?” = How much is it per hour? (“ichi-jikan” = one hour, “ni-jikan” = two hours, “san-jikan” = three hours, “ichi-nichi” = one day, “ikura” = how much)
“Watashi no kuruma wo motte ikanai de kudasai.” = Please don’t tow my car. (“watashi no” = my, “kuruma” = car, “motte ikanai de” = don’t tow)
“Chotto matte kudasai.” = Please wait for a moment. (“chotto” = for a moment, “matte” = wait, “kudasai” = please)
“Ima sugu idoo shimasu.” = I will move my car soon. (“ima” = now, “sugu” = soon, “idoo shimasu” = will move)
“Domo sumimasen.” = My apologies. (“domo” = much, “sumimasen” = apologies)
“Mou shimasen.” = I will never do it again.
“Yurushite kudasai.” = Please accept my apologies.
“Chuujajo no tsukaikata ga wakari masen.” = I don’t know how to use the parking. (“tsukaikata” = how to use, “wakari masen” = don’t know)
“Chuushaken wo morae masuka?” = Can I get a parking voucher? (Ask this at a supermarket or department store) (“chuushaken” = parking ticket/voucher, “morae masuka?” = Can I have?)
“Mansha desu.” = The parking is occupied.
“Kuruma wo dashitai no desu ga?” = Can I get out my car? (Ask an employees at parking lot) (“dashi tai” = want to get out)
When on OKINAWA, you can also say it in “Uchinaanguchi” (island dialect) like this:
“Chuushajo ya Maankai Aibiiga?” = Where can I find a parking lot?
“Kunu fin nakai chuushajo ya aibiimi?” = Is there a parking lot around here?
“Chuushajo made chanuati aibiiga?” = Haw far is it from here to a parking lot?
“Guburii Yaibii shiga.” = Excuse me.
“Chuusharyo ya chassa natouibiiga.” = How much is the parking fee? kudaka.shoji@stripes.com