N56 sentences
Asking for Directions
- 1すみません、えきはどこですか？
すみません、駅はどこですか？
Excuse me, where is the station?
- 2えきはあっちです。
駅はあっちです。
The station is that way.
- 3ありがとうございます。
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
- 4どういたしまして。
どういたしまして。
You're welcome.
- 5えきまでどのくらいかかりますか？
駅までどのくらいかかりますか？
How long does it take to get to the station?
- 6あるいてじゅうぶんくらいです。
歩いて十分くらいです。
About ten minutes on foot.
Coaching notes
Simple exchange asking for directions at a station. Politeness and basic time estimation.
Pronunciation focus
- すみません — Initial す is soft and airy.
- 駅 (えき) — Pitch falls after え.
- どこですか — Maintain rising intonation as it is a question.
- あっちです — Slight pause after っ, elongating 'あ'.
- 十分 (じゅっぷん) — Voiced 'っ' before 'ぷん', clear ぷ.
Rhythm & pacing
Gentle and polite rhythm, natural pauses at points of courtesy like ありがとうございます.
Key grammar
- 〜はどこですか？ = Asking location (where is ~?).
- あっち = Informal 'that way' for directions.
- くらい = Approximation for time or quantity.
- どういたしまして = Standard response to 'thank you'.
Natural speech features
- どういたしまして often blends together smoothly in conversation.
- あっち and こっち tend to be used informally with friends.
Practice strategy
Listen twice before shadowing to get a sense of polite intonation. Shadow one sentence at a time focusing on question and polite responses.
Common mistakes
- Dropping the polite particle です at the end of sentences.
- Mispronouncing 'っ' in words like 十分, leading to incorrect emphasis.
Practice shadowing on the go
The Kanji 360 app adds recording, playback comparison, and dozens more shadowing clips with stroke-order kanji and SRS review.