Registering your address in Japan: Japanese for the ward office

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:

• 

  転入届てんにゅうとどけの用紙ようし、もらってきましたよ。

  Tennyū todoke no yōshi, moratte kimashita yo.

  I picked up the moving-in form for you.

  You could say

  ありがとうございます。何なにを書かきますか？

  Arigatō gozaimasu. Nani o kakimasu ka?

  Thank you. What do I write?

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:

• 

  引ひっ越こし、もう慣なれましたか。

  Hikkoshi, mō naremashita ka.

  Have you gotten used to the move yet?

  You could say

  はい、だいぶ慣なれました。

  Hai, daibu naremashita.

  Yes, pretty much.

• 

  この区役所くやくしょ、きれいですね。初はじめて来きました。

  Kono kuyakusho, kirei desu ne. Hajimete kimashita.

  This ward office is nice and clean, isn't it? It's my first time here.

  You could say

  私わたしも初はじめてです。

  Watashi mo hajimete desu.

  It's my first time too.

• 

  実じつは私わたしも去年きょねん、同おなじ手続てつづきをしましたよ。

  Jitsu wa watashi mo kyonen, onaji tetsuzuki o shimashita yo.

  Actually, I did this same paperwork last year.

  You could say

  じゃあ、安心あんしんです。

  Jā, anshin desu.

  Oh good, that's a relief.

• 

  今日きょうは午前中ごぜんちゅう、お休やすみを取とりました。

  Kyō wa gozenchū, oyasumi o torimashita.

  I took the morning off today.

  You could say

  ありがとうございます。助たすかります。

  Arigatō gozaimasu. Tasukarimasu.

  Thank you. That really helps.

• 

  ペン、持もってますか。あそこにもありますよ。

  Pen, mottemasu ka. Asoko ni mo arimasu yo.

  Do you have a pen? There are some over there, too.

  You could say

  あ、忘わすれました。借かります。

  A, wasuremashita. Karimasu.

  Oh, I forgot mine. I'll borrow one.

Phrases worth knowing here

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

• 転入届てんにゅうとどけを出だしに来きました。Tennyū todoke o dashi ni kimashita.I've come to register my new address.Say this first at the counter when your number is called.
• 記入例きにゅうれいはありますか。Kinyūrei wa arimasu ka.Is there a filled-in sample form?When you're unsure how to fill in the form and want an example to copy.
• 住民票じゅうみんひょうも二通につうお願ねがいします。Jūminhyō mo nitsū onegai shimasu.I'd like two copies of my residence certificate as well.Add this while at the counter if you need copies for work or a contract.
• カードの住所変更じゅうしょへんこうもできますか。Kādo no jūsho henkō mo dekimasu ka.Can I update the address on my card too?Ask about your My Number or residence card while the clerk has your papers.
• あとどのくらい待まちますか。Ato dono kurai machimasu ka.About how much longer is the wait?Ask staff, or Yoko, while waiting for your number to be called.

Words you'll hear

How polite to be

polite Here Yoko 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 Yoko

• First day at the office陽子（ようこ） · Officepolite
• Planning a trip陽子（ようこ） · Travel agencyformal
• Celebrating a finished project陽子（ようこ） · Izakayacasual
• Opening an account陽子（ようこ） · Bankpolite
• A stain before a meeting陽子（ようこ） · Dry cleanerpolite
• A trip to the dentist陽子（ようこ） · Dental clinicpolite
• Checking in陽子（ようこ） · Airportformal
• A job interview陽子（ようこ） · Interview roomformal
• A hot spring getaway陽子（ようこ） · Hot spring townformal

Or see every scene, with all four characters.