At the record shop
Shopping for records in Japanese: words and phrases
You're a customer browsing the record shop where Ren works. You've never met, and he's on the job. Ren 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 Ren, at the record shop
How Ren opens the conversation
Ren always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
いらっしゃいませ。何かお探しでしょうか？
Irasshaimase. Nanika osagashi deshō ka?
Welcome. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?
You could say
日本のシティポップを探しています。
Nihon no shiti poppu o sagashite imasu.
I'm looking for Japanese city pop.
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:
今かかっている曲、いかがですか。
Ima kakatte iru kyoku, ikaga desu ka.
How do you like the song that's playing right now?
You could say
いい曲ですね。
Ii kyoku desu ne.
It's a nice song.
今日、中古盤が入ったばかりなんです。
Kyō, chūkoban ga haitta bakari nan desu.
We just got some used records in today.
You could say
へえ、見てもいいですか。
Hē, mite mo ii desu ka.
Oh, may I take a look?
よろしければ、試聴もできますよ。
Yoroshikereba, shichō mo dekimasu yo.
If you like, you can listen to it here too.
You could say
じゃあ、お願いします。
Jā, onegai shimasu.
Then yes, please.
レコードプレーヤーはお持ちですか。
Rekōdo purēyā wa o-mochi desu ka.
Do you have a record player?
You could say
いえ、まだないんです。
Ie, mada nai n desu.
No, not yet.
そのジャケット、素敵ですよね。
Sono jaketto, suteki desu yo ne.
That album cover is lovely, isn't it?
You could say
はい、気に入りました。
Hai, ki ni irimashita.
Yes, I really like it.
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the record shop, each with when you'd say it.
- 試聴してもいいですか？Shichō shite mo ii desu ka?Can I listen to this first?Say it holding a record, to ask staff to play it at the listening station.
- 中古のレコードはどこですか？Chūko no rekōdo wa doko desu ka?Where are the used records?Use when you want the secondhand bins rather than new stock.
- このアルバム、在庫はありますか？Kono arubamu, zaiko wa arimasu ka?Do you have this album in stock?Ask when you can't find a specific title on the shelves.
- シティポップの棚はどのあたりでしょうか。Shitipoppu no tana wa dono atari deshō ka.Whereabouts is the city pop section?A softer, polite way to ask where a genre is shelved.
- おすすめの一枚はありますか？Osusume no ichimai wa arimasu ka?Is there a record you'd recommend?Good for getting the clerk talking once you've browsed a while.
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| レコード | rekōdo | record (vinyl) |
| 中古 | chūko | used, secondhand |
| 名盤 | meiban | classic album, great record |
| 試聴 | shichō | listening to a sample before buying |
| 棚 | tana | shelf, rack |
| 値段 | nedan | price |
| 在庫 | zaiko | stock, what's in the store |
| 入荷 | nyūka | new arrival (of stock) |
| お会計 | o-kaikei | the bill, checkout |
| 探す | sagasu | to look for |
How polite to be
formal Here Ren 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, Ren 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 talkingMore scenes with Ren
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Or see every scene, with all four characters.