道を聞く
ask for directions
字面意思: to ask (about) the road/way
Use this phrase when you need to find your way or describe the act of seeking directions.
15秒了解
- Used when you are lost and need help finding a location.
- Combines 'michi' (road) and 'kiku' (to ask).
- Essential for navigating Japan's complex, nameless street systems.
意思
This phrase is used when you are lost or looking for a specific place and need to stop someone to ask for help finding your way.
关键例句
3 / 6Asking a passerby for help
すみません、ちょっと道を聞いてもいいですか？
Excuse me, may I ask you for directions for a moment?
At a police box
交番で駅への道を聞きました。
I asked for directions to the station at the police box.
Explaining why you were late to a friend
迷っちゃって、コンビニの店員さんに道を聞いたんだ。
I got lost, so I asked the convenience store clerk for directions.
文化背景
In Japan, many streets lack names, relying instead on a block-based addressing system. This makes asking for directions a vital social skill even for locals. The 'Koban' (police box) system was specifically designed to help citizens with navigation and safety.
The Magic Word
Always start with 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me). It softens the interaction and makes people much more likely to stop and help you.
Koban are King
If you are truly lost, look for the 'Koban' (Police Box). They have detailed maps of the immediate neighborhood that aren't on Google Maps.
15秒了解
- Used when you are lost and need help finding a location.
- Combines 'michi' (road) and 'kiku' (to ask).
- Essential for navigating Japan's complex, nameless street systems.
What It Means
道を聞く is a super useful phrase for any traveler. It literally means to ask about the path. You use it when your map fails you. It covers everything from finding a station to a hidden cafe. It is the verbal equivalent of a SOS signal.
How To Use It
The structure is very simple. Use the particle に for the person you ask. For example, 警察官に道を聞く means asking a police officer. You can use it in the polite form 道を聞きます. Or use the past tense 道を聞いた if you already did it. It is a standard collocation in Japanese.
When To Use It
Use it when you are wandering around Shinjuku station. Use it when your phone battery dies suddenly. It is perfect for telling friends why you are late. "I had to stop and ask for directions!" It works in cities, parks, or even inside massive malls.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for metaphorical life advice. If you want career guidance, this isn't the phrase. It is strictly for physical locations and roads. Also, don't use it if you are just asking for a recommendation. That would be おすすめを聞く instead.
Cultural Background
Japan has many tiny, winding streets without names. Even locals get lost in places like Kyoto or Tokyo. This makes 道を聞く a very common social interaction. There are small police boxes called 交番 (koban) everywhere. They are the official spots to 道を聞く. People are usually very helpful but might be shy. Always start with a polite すみません first.
Common Variations
The opposite is 道を教える, which means giving directions. If you want to sound more formal, use 道を尋ねる. This sounds a bit more sophisticated and polite. In casual speech, you might just say 道、聞こうか？ to a friend. This means "Shall we ask for directions?"
使用说明
This is a neutral phrase suitable for almost any situation. In very formal contexts, 'tazuneru' is preferred over 'kiku'.
The Magic Word
Always start with 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me). It softens the interaction and makes people much more likely to stop and help you.
Koban are King
If you are truly lost, look for the 'Koban' (Police Box). They have detailed maps of the immediate neighborhood that aren't on Google Maps.
Don't just say 'Road'
While 'michi' means road, in this phrase it represents the whole concept of 'the way to a destination'.
例句
6すみません、ちょっと道を聞いてもいいですか？
Excuse me, may I ask you for directions for a moment?
A very polite way to approach a stranger.
交番で駅への道を聞きました。
I asked for directions to the station at the police box.
Using the 'koban' is the most reliable way to get help.
迷っちゃって、コンビニの店員さんに道を聞いたんだ。
I got lost, so I asked the convenience store clerk for directions.
Convenience stores are great backup spots for help.
君、もう五回も道を聞いてるよ！
You've already asked for directions five times!
Teasing someone who has a terrible sense of direction.
道を聞きたいけど、英語が通じるか心配です。
I want to ask for directions, but I'm worried if English will be understood.
Expressing anxiety about the language barrier.
受付で会議室への道を聞いてください。
Please ask for directions to the meeting room at the reception.
Using the phrase in an office environment.
自我测试
Complete the sentence to say 'I asked a person for directions.'
知らない人___道を聞きました。
The particle 'ni' is used to indicate the person you are asking.
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase 'ask for directions'.
道を___。
'Kiku' means to ask or listen, making it the correct verb for this collocation.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Ways to Ask for Help
Asking a close friend for help.
道、聞いてくる！
Standard way to describe the action.
道を聞く
Polite inquiry to a stranger or official.
道を尋ねる
Where to '道を聞く'
Police Box
Asking a police officer at a Koban.
Station
Asking a station attendant at the gate.
Store
Asking a clerk at a 7-Eleven.
Street
Stopping a local person walking their dog.
常见问题
10 个问题道 (michi) means road, street, or path. In this phrase, it refers to the route to your destination.
Yes! 聞く means both 'to ask' and 'to listen'. Context tells you which one it is, but with 道, it always means 'ask'.
Not at all! Japanese people generally find it helpful. Just be sure to use polite language like 聞いてもいいですか？.
You would use 道を教える (michi o oshieru). 教える means to teach or inform.
聞く is common and neutral. 尋ねる (tazuneru) is more formal and often used in writing or very polite speech.
Yes, use 〜への道 (the way to...). For example, 駅への道を聞く means 'ask the way to the station'.
You can say お店の場所を聞く (ask for the shop's location), but 道を聞く still works as a general term for getting there.
Yes, if you are visiting a client's office and get lost, you might tell them 途中で道を聞きました (I asked for directions on the way).
No, 道を聞く implies asking a person. For a map, you would say 地図を見る (look at a map).
Using the particle を for the person. Remember: 人(person) に 道(way) を 聞く.
相关表达
评论 (0)
登录后评论免费开始学习语言
免费开始学习