politeLesson 67

Asking About a Delayed Train — Person in charge

Situation

Where
A train station
Who
You and a person in charge
Goal
To ask station staff about a delay and a transfer.

Conversation

Show

A

Excuse me, is this train delayed?

B

Yes, it's about ten minutes late due to an accident.

A

Will I make my transfer?

B

If you transfer at the next station, you should be fine.

A

Can I get a delay certificate?

Vocabulary (10)

okureru

to be delayed

電車が遅れる = "the train is delayed."

jinshinjiko

railway accident (with injury)

A common cause of delays.

norikae

transfer (trains)

乗り換えに間に合う = "make the transfer."

maniau

to make it in time

Key word for catching connections.

osoraku

probably

おそらく大丈夫 = "probably fine."

chienshoumeisho

delay certificate

Proof of delay to show your employer.

soudan

consultation

相談する = to consult; asking before deciding is valued.

taiou

handling / response

対応します = "I will handle it."

junbi

preparation

準備しておきます = "I will prepare it in advance."

shiryou

materials / documents

資料を共有します = "I will share the materials."

Grammar

Noun + の影響で

Due to the effect of: 事故の影響で.

Plain form + でしょうか

Polite uncertain question: 間に合うでしょうか.

Noun + なら

If it's …: 次の駅で乗り換えなら.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

If a delay makes you late for work, get a 遅延証明書 from the station — employers accept it as a valid excuse.

Common mistake

Trains are usually punctual, so a 遅延証明書 is genuinely useful and expected when delays happen.

Formality level

Polite. Station staff are used to helping; a clear すみません gets their attention.

Quiz

What does "遅れる" mean?

What does "人身事故" mean?

What does "乗り換え" mean?

What does "間に合う" mean?

What does "おそらく" mean?

What does "遅延証明書" mean?

How is the pattern "〜の影響で" used?

How is the pattern "〜でしょうか" used?

How is the pattern "〜なら" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

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