Renting a car in Japan: Japanese at the counter

How Kenji opens the conversation

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

• 

  保険ほけんはどうしますか？付つけた方ほうが安心あんしんですよ。

  Hoken wa dō shimasu ka? Tsuketa hō ga anshin desu yo.

  What shall we do about insurance? It's easier on the mind with it.

  You could say

  そうですね。付つけてください。

  Sō desu ne. Tsukete kudasai.

  You're right. Please add it.

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:

• 

  予約よやくした車くるまは白しろいワゴンです。大おおきいですよ。

  Yoyaku shita kuruma wa shiroi wagon desu. Ōkii desu yo.

  The car I booked is a white wagon. It's big!

  You could say

  わあ、楽たのしみですね。

  Wā, tanoshimi desu ne.

  Wow, I'm looking forward to it.

• 

  免許証めんきょしょう、持もってきましたか？受付うけつけで使つかいますよ。

  Menkyoshō, motte kimashita ka? Uketsuke de tsukaimasu yo.

  Did you bring your driver's license? They use it at the counter.

  You could say

  はい、ここにありますよ。

  Hai, koko ni arimasu yo.

  Yes, I've got it right here.

• 

  実じつは、運転うんてんするのは半年はんとしぶりなんです。

  Jitsu wa, unten suru no wa hantoshi buri nan desu.

  Actually, it's been half a year since I last drove.

  You could say

  大丈夫だいじょうぶですよ。ゆっくり行いきましょう。

  Daijōbu desu yo. Yukkuri ikimashō.

  It'll be fine. Let's take it slow.

• 

  ETCカードも借かりられるそうですよ。

  ETC kādo mo karirareru sō desu yo.

  Apparently we can rent an ETC card too.

  You could say

  じゃあ、借かりましょうか。

  Jā, karimashō ka.

  Well then, shall we rent one?

• 

  このカーナビ、かなり便利べんりですね。なんてね。

  Kono kānabi, kanari benri desu ne. Nante ne.

  This car navi is pretty handy, huh. ...Just kidding.

  You could say

  それ、だじゃれですか？

  Sore, dajare desu ka?

  Was that a pun?

Phrases worth knowing here

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

• 予約よやくしていた山本やまもとです。Yoyaku shite ita Yamamoto desu.I'm Yamamoto, I have a reservation.Say this first at the counter to check in under the booking name.
• 保険ほけんはどうしますか。Hoken wa dō shimasu ka.What should we do about the insurance?Use when the coverage options go up on the board and you're deciding with Kenji.
• ガソリンは満まんタンで返かえせばいいですか。Gasorin wa mantan de kaeseba ii desu ka.Should we return it with a full tank?Ask the staff when confirming the fuel policy before you drive off.
• 返却へんきゃくは何時なんじまでですか。Henkyaku wa nanji made desu ka.By what time do we have to return it?Ask at the counter to pin down the drop-off deadline for the weekend.
• ここにも傷きずがありますね。Koko ni mo kizu ga arimasu ne.There's a scratch here too.Say it during the walk-around check so existing damage gets recorded.

Words you'll hear

How polite to be

polite Here Kenji speaks polite Japanese: です and ます, the way people talk with strangers, neighbors, and coworkers, 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.

More scenes with Kenji

• Running into a neighbor健二（けんじ） · Convenience storepolite
• A sales meeting健二（けんじ） · Meeting roomformal
• Yakitori under the tracks健二（けんじ） · Yakitori barcasual
• Picking up a prescription健二（けんじ） · Pharmacypolite
• Bargains at the supermarket健二（けんじ） · Supermarketpolite
• Buying a rice cooker健二（けんじ） · Electronics storepolite
• Booking the bullet train健二（けんじ） · Ticket officepolite
• Signing up at the gym健二（けんじ） · Gympolite
• A night at the ballpark健二（けんじ） · Baseball stadiumpolite

Or see every scene, with all four characters.