Checking in

Checking in at a Japanese airport: Japanese phrases

You've booked a tour through the agency where Yoko works, and she's at the airport seeing the group off. You've never met; check-in has just opened, and your case looks over the weight. Yoko speaks first, in keigo: the respectful and humble forms staff use with customers, and everyone uses with clients and superiors. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.

formalWith Yoko, at the airport

Start talking

How Yoko opens the conversation

Yoko always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:

お荷物にもつ、少すこし重おもいかもしれません。
Onimotsu, sukoshi omoi kamo shiremasen.
Your bag might be a little over the weight.
You could say
何なんキロまで大丈夫だいじょうぶですか？
Nan-kiro made daijōbu desu ka?
How many kilos are allowed?

Other ways it can begin

No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:

おはようございます。旅行会社りょこうがいしゃの高橋たかはしと申もうします。
Ohayō gozaimasu. Ryokō-gaisha no Takahashi to mōshimasu.
Good morning. I'm Takahashi, from the travel agency.
You could say
おはようございます。よろしくお願ねがいします。
Ohayō gozaimasu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
Good morning. Nice to meet you.
パスポートはお持もちですか。
Pasupōto wa omochi desu ka.
Do you have your passport with you?
You could say
はい、ここにあります。
Hai, koko ni arimasu.
Yes, it's right here.
ただいま受付うけつけが始はじまりました。
Tadaima uketsuke ga hajimarimashita.
Check-in has just opened.
You could say
わかりました。ありがとうございます。
Wakarimashita. Arigatō gozaimasu.
Got it. Thank you.
海外旅行かいがいりょこうは初はじめてでいらっしゃいますか。
Kaigai ryokō wa hajimete de irasshaimasu ka.
Is this your first time traveling abroad?
You could say
はい、初はじめてです。
Hai, hajimete desu.
Yes, it's my first time.
今日きょうの空港くうこう、混こんでおりますね。
Kyō no kūkō, konde orimasu ne.
The airport is crowded today, isn't it?
You could say
本当ほんとうですね。人ひとが多おおいです。
Hontō desu ne. Hito ga ōi desu.
It really is. There are so many people.

Phrases worth knowing here

Lines for what you do at the airport, each with when you'd say it.

パスポートをお預あずかりいたします。Pasupōto o oazukari itashimasu.May I take your passport?Staff say this at the counter; just hand it over with どうぞ.
少すこし重量じゅうりょうをオーバーしております。Sukoshi jūryō o ōbā shite orimasu.Your bag is a little over the weight limit.What Yoko or the airline staff will tell you when the case is too heavy.
少すこし中身なかみを出だして、手荷物てにもつにうつ移うつしてもいいですか。Sukoshi nakami o dashite, tenimotsu ni utsushite mo ii desu ka.Can I take some out and move it to my carry-on?Your way out of paying the excess fee.
窓側まどがわの席せきをお願ねがいできますか。Madogawa no seki o onegai dekimasu ka.Could I have a window seat?Ask while your seat is being assigned.
何時なんじまでに搭乗口とうじょうぐちへ行いけばよろしいでしょうか。Nanji made ni tōjōguchi e ikeba yoroshii deshō ka.By what time should I get to the gate?Ask Yoko after check-in, before you wander off shopping.

Words you'll hear

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
搭乗券とうじょうけん	tōjōken	boarding pass
手荷物てにもつ	tenimotsu	baggage, luggage
預あずける	azukeru	to check (bags)
重量じゅうりょうオーバー	jūryō ōbā	overweight (baggage)
超過料金ちょうかりょうきん	chōka ryōkin	excess baggage fee
窓側まどがわ	madogawa	window side (seat)
通路側つうろがわ	tsūrogawa	aisle side (seat)
搭乗口とうじょうぐち	tōjōguchi	boarding gate
保安検査ほあんけんさ	hoan kensa	security check
モバイルバッテリー	mobairu batterī	portable battery (must be carried on)

How polite to be

formal Here Yoko speaks keigo: the respectful and humble forms staff use with customers, and everyone uses with clients and superiors, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.

Try it out loud

In Unsubtitled, Yoko says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.

Start talking

More scenes with Yoko

Or see every scene, with all four characters.