Latest / Learn Japanese with Fexingo / Japanese at the Barber Shop Basics
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Japanese with Fexingo. I am Lucas. Luna: And I am Luna. We are so happy to be here again. Lucas: Today we are going somewhere specific. A place where you sit down and wait. Luna: Is it a doctor? Or maybe a dentist? Lucas: Not quite. Think about hair. Specifically, getting a haircut. Luna: Oh! A barber shop. Or a hair salon. Lucas: Exactly. In Japan, this is called a hair salon or a barbershop. The word is similar to what you know. Luna: I have never been to one in Japan. I always feel nervous about making an appointment. Lucas: It is easier than you think. We will take it step by step. First, you need to arrive or call ahead. Luna: Right. So the first thing I say is that I have a reservation. Lucas: Yes. Listen closely. This phrase is very useful. It means 'I have a reservation.' Lucas: Let me say it slowly for you. Yoyaku o shiteimasu. Luna: Yoyaku o shiteimasu. Lucas: Perfect. Break it down. Yoyaku means reservation. Shiteimasu means I am doing. Together, it is 'I have made a reservation.' Luna: Got it. Yoyaku o shiteimasu. I like how polite it sounds. Lucas: It is standard and polite. You can use it when you walk in the door. Just smile and say it. Luna: Okay. I walk in. I say Yoyaku o shiteimasu. Then what? Lucas: Then you tell them what you want. Sometimes people just want a cut. Nothing else. Luna: Just a trim? Like a quick fix? Lucas: Yes. Here is the phrase for that. It means 'Can you please do just a cut?' Lucas: Listen carefully. Katto dake onegai dekimasu ka. Luna: Katto dake onegai dekimasu ka. Lucas: Very good. Katto is 'cut'. Dake means 'only' or 'just'. Onegai dekimasu ka is 'can you please?' Luna: So literally, 'Cut only please?' That makes total sense. Lucas: Exactly. It saves money if you do not want the extra services. Let us try it again together. Luna: Katto dake onegai dekimasu ka. Lucas: Spot on. Now, imagine you are sitting in the chair. The barber asks how long it will take. Luna: Oh, I hate waiting. I always ask about the time. Lucas: Smart move. Here is how to ask. It means 'How much time will it take?' Lucas: Listen. Donokurai jikan ga kakarimasu ka. Luna: Donokurai jikan ga kakarimasu ka. Lucas: Dono kurai means 'approximately' or 'how much'. Jikan is time. Kakarimasu is 'to take '. Luna: Donokurai jikan ga kakarimasu ka. It feels a bit long to remember. Lucas: It is a longer sentence, but you only need to say it once. Focus on Dono kurai first. Then add the rest. Luna: Dono kurai... jikan ga kakarimasu ka. Yeah, that flows better. Lucas: Good. Now, let's say you change your mind. You want the full experience. Luna: The wash and blow dry? That sounds nice. Lucas: Yes. Shampoo and treatment. Here is the phrase. It means 'Please also do shampoo and treatment.' Lucas: Listen. Shamuputo to toritomento mo onegai shimasu. Luna: Shamuputo to toritomento mo onegai shimasu. Lucas: Shamuputo is shampoo. Toritomento is treatment. Mo means 'also'. Onegai shimasu is 'please'. Luna: Shamuputo to toritomento mo onegai shimasu. I love the sound of that. Lucas: It is relaxing. And very common. People often combine the cut with the wash. Luna: Okay, so I have my cut, my wash, and my treatment. It is done. Lucas: Time to leave. You need to pay. How do you ask for the bill? Luna: This is the classic travel phrase. 'Check please.' Lucas: Yes. It works everywhere. Listen. Okaikei o oshiete kudasai. Luna: Okaikei o oshiete kudasai. Lucas: Okaikei is the bill or checkout. Oshiete kudasai is 'please tell me' or 'please show me'. Luna: Okaikei o oshiete kudasai. Simple and effective. Lucas: Very. You can say it while standing up. They will bring the terminal or receipt. Luna: Let's review all five quickly. I want to lock them in. Lucas: Ready? First: Reservation. Luna: Yoyaku o shiteimasu. Lucas: Second: Just a cut. Luna: Katto dake onegai dekimasu ka. Lucas: Third: How long does it take? Luna: Donokurai jikan ga kakarimasu ka. Lucas: Fourth: Shampoo and treatment too. Luna: Shamuputo to toritomento mo onegai shimasu. Lucas: Fifth: The bill please. Luna: Okaikei o oshiete kudasai. Lucas: Excellent work. You look fresh already. Luna: I feel ready for any salon in Tokyo. Lucas: Before we go, we want to share something with you. If Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with this language... Luna: We truly appreciate it. Your support keeps this show ad-free and running smoothly. Lucas: If you would like to contribute, you can visit buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo — that's F. E. X. I. N. G. O. Luna: It helps us keep making these small, digestible episodes for you every week. Lucas: Thank you for listening. Now, let's practice one more scenario. Luna: Sure. What if I forget my reservation name? Lucas: That happens. But you can still use our first phrase. Yoyaku o shiteimasu. Luna: Even without the name? Just the phrase? Lucas: Yes. It starts the conversation. Then they will ask for your name. You can answer then. Luna: Okay. Yoyaku o shiteimasu. Then they ask, 'What is your name?' Lucas: Correct. And you say your name. Simple. Luna: I love how straightforward Japanese service culture is. Lucas: It is very clear. No guessing needed. You just use the phrases. Luna: Let's try the time question again. Donokurai jikan ga kakarimasu ka. Lucas: Good. Remember, donokurai sets the expectation. It is a helpful question. Luna: I will definitely use that. I hate being stuck in a chair for hours. Lucas: Fair enough. Three minutes is usually enough for a quick trim. Luna: Three minutes! Okay, Katto dake onegai dekimasu ka. Got it. Lucas: And don't forget the final phrase. Okaikei o oshiete kudasai. Luna: Okaikei o oshiete kudasai. I'll say it right before I stand up. Lucas: Perfect timing. You are becoming a pro. Luna: Thanks, Lucas. I feel much more confident now. Lucas: That is the goal. Practice these until we chat again. Luna: See you next time. Sayonara!