Lesson 13: このバスは空港に行きますか – Does This Bus Go to the Airport?
Transportation and directions
Learn vocabulary for transportation, asking for directions, and understanding travel information. This lesson focuses on public transportation, locations, and travel expressions.
Key topics:
- ・Asking about transportation
- ・Understanding directions and locations
- ・Public transportation vocabulary
- ・Asking how to get to places
- ・Time and distance expressions
- ・Station and airport terminology
Vocabulary
1
あるく
aruku
歩く
to walk
Example
えきまで あるきます.
Eki made arukimasu.
I walk to the station.
2
おりる
oriru
降りる
to get off
Example
つぎのえきで おります.
Tsugi no eki de orimasu.
I get off at the next station.
3
かかる
kakaru
かかる
to take (time)
Example
さんじゅっぷん かかります.
Sanjuppun kakarimasu.
It takes 30 minutes.
4
くる
kuru
来る
to come
Example
あした、きますか.
Ashita, kimasu ka.
Are you coming tomorrow?
5
のる
noru
乗る
to get on / to ride
Example
でんしゃに のります.
Densha ni norimasu.
I get on the train.
6
とまる
tomaru
止まる
to stop
Example
このバスは くうこうに とまりません.
Kono basu wa kuukou ni tomarimasen.
This bus doesn't stop at the airport.
7
いちじかんはん
ichijikan han
1時間半
1.5 hours
Example
いちじかんはん かかります.
Ichijikan han kakarimasu.
It takes 1.5 hours.
8
いま
ima
今
now
Example
いま なんじですか.
Ima nan-ji desu ka.
What time is it now?
9
じかん
jikan
時間
__ hours
Example
にじかん かかります.
nijikan kakarimasu.
It takes two hours.
10
ふん
fun
分
__ minutes (indicate the length of time)
Example
さんじゅっぷん かかります.
Sanjuppun kakarimasu.
It takes 30 minutes.
11
ぐらい
gurai
-
around
Example
いちじかん ぐらい かかります.
Ichijikan gurai kakarimasu.
It takes about one hour.
12
あめのひ
ame no hi
雨の日
rainy days
Example
あめのひは バスで いきます.
Ame no hi wa basu de ikimasu.
On rainy days, I go by bus.
13
えき
eki
駅
train station
Example
えきは どこですか.
Eki wa doko desu ka.
Where is the station?
14
でぐち
deguchi
出口
exit
Example
でぐちは あちらです.
Deguchi wa achira desu.
The exit is over there.
15
ひがしぐち
higashiguchi
東口
East Exit
Example
ひがしぐちで でてください.
Higashiguchi de dete kudasai.
Please exit at the East Exit.
16
にしぐち
nishiguchi
西口
West Exit
Example
にしぐちで まっています.
Nishiguchi de matte imasu.
I'm waiting at the West Exit.
17
きたぐち
kitaguchi
北口
North Exit
Example
きたぐちで あいましょう.
Kitaguchi de aimashou.
Let's meet at the North Exit.
18
みなみぐち
minamiguchi
南口
South Exit
Example
みなみぐちは こちらです.
Minamiguchi wa kochira desu.
The South Exit is this way.
19
かいさつ
kaisatsu
改札
ticket gate
Example
かいさつを でて ください.
Kaisatsu o dete kudasai.
Please go through the ticket gate.
20
しゅうてん
shuuten
終点
final stop
Example
しゅうてんは くうこうです.
Shuuten wa kuukou desu.
The final stop is the airport.
21
バスセンター
basu sentaa
-
bus center
Example
バスセンターは えきの となりです.
Basu sentaa wa eki no tonari desu.
The bus center is next to the station.
22
バスのりば
basu noriba
バス乗り場
bus stop
Example
バスのりばは どこですか.
Basu noriba wa doko desu ka.
Where is the bus stop?
23
タクシーのりば
takushii noriba
タクシー乗り場
taxi stand
Example
タクシーのりばは えきまえです.
Takushii noriba wa ekimae desu.
The taxi stand is in front of the station.
24
いちば
ichiba
市場
market
Example
いちばは ちかてつの したです.
Ichiba wa chikatetsu no shita desu.
The market is under the subway.
25
しみんびょういん
shimin byouin
市民病院
community hospital
Example
しみんびょういんへ いきます.
Shimin byouin e ikimasu.
I go to the community hospital.
26
くうこう
kuukou
空港
airport
Example
くうこうへ いきます.
Kuukou e ikimasu.
I go to the airport.
27
しやくしょ
shiyakusho
市役所
city hall
Example
しやくしょは どこですか.
Shiyakusho wa doko desu ka.
Where is the city hall?
28
まちあいしつ
machiaishitsu
待合室
waiting room
Example
まちあいしつで まっています.
Machiaishitsu de matte imasu.
I'm waiting in the waiting room.
29
モール
mooru
-
mall
Example
しょうてんがいモールへ いきます.
Shoutengai mooru e ikimasu.
I go to the shopping street mall.
30
エスカレーター
esukareetaa
-
escalator
Example
エスカレーターを つかってください.
Esukareetaa o tsukatte kudasai.
Please use the escalator.
31
エレベーター
erebeetaa
-
elevator
Example
エレベーターを つかってください.
Erebeetaa o tsukatte kudasai.
Please use the elevator.
32
ばん
ban
番
number
Example
ななばんの バスです.
nanaban no basu desu.
It's bus number 7.
33
せん
sen
線
__ Line/platform
Example
やまのてせんで いきます.
Yamanote sen de ikimasu.
I go on the Yamanote Line.
34
かいそく
kaisoku
快速
express / rapid
Example
かいそくで いきます.
Kaisoku de ikimasu.
I go by express train.
35
かくえきていしゃ
kaku eki teisha
各駅停車
local (stopping at every station)
Example
かくえきていしゃで いきます.
Kaku eki teisha de ikimasu.
I go by local train.
36
かくてい
kakutei
各停
local (abbreviation for 各駅停車)
Example
かくていで いきます.
Kakutei de ikimasu.
I go by local train.
37
じてんしゃ
jitensha
自転車
bicycle
Example
じてんしゃで がっこうへ いきます.
Jitensha de gakkou e ikimasu.
I go to school by bicycle.
38
でんしゃ
densha
電車
train
Example
でんしゃで かいしゃへ いきます.
Densha de kaisha e ikimasu.
I go to the office by train.
39
あるいて
aruite
歩いて
on foot
Example
あるいて いきます.
Aruite ikimasu.
I go on foot.
40
ちかてつ
chikatetsu
地下鉄
subway
Example
ちかてつで いきます.
Chikatetsu de ikimasu.
I go by subway.
41
くるま
kuruma
車
car
Example
くるまで りょこうします.
Kuruma de ryokou shimasu.
I travel by car.
42
タクシー
takushii
-
taxi
Example
タクシーで いきます.
Takushii de ikimasu.
I go by taxi.
43
バス
basu
-
bus
Example
バスで いきます.
Basu de ikimasu.
I go by bus.
44
ふね
fune
船
ship
Example
ふねで しまへ いきます.
Fune de shima e ikimasu.
I go to the island by ship.
45
バイク
baiku
-
motorcycle
Example
バイクで いきます.
Baiku de ikimasu.
I go by motorcycle.
46
ひこうき
hikouki
飛行機
plane
Example
ひこうきで かえります.
Hikouki de kaerimasu.
I return by plane.
47
さき
saki
先
ahead
Example
まっすぐ さきです.
Massugu saki desu.
It's straight ahead.
48
つぎ
tsugi
次
next
Example
つぎの えきです.
Tsugi no eki desu.
It's the next station.
49
みぎがわ
migigawa
右側
right side
Example
みぎがわに あります.
Migigawa ni arimasu.
It's on the right side.
50
はんだいがわ
hantai gawa
反対側
opposite side
Example
はんだいがわに あります.
Hantai gawa ni arimasu.
It's on the opposite side.
51
どうやって
douyatte
-
how
Example
どうやって いきますか.
Douyatte ikimasu ka.
How do I get there?
52
どのぐらい
dono gurai
-
how long
Example
どのぐらい かかりますか.
Dono gurai kakarimasu ka.
How long does it take?
Conversation
1
このバスは くうこうへ いきますか.
Kono basu wa kuukou e ikimasu ka.
Does this bus go to the airport?
Example Usage
すみません、このバスは くうこうへ いきますか.
Sumimasen, Kono basu wa kuukou e ikimasu ka.
Excuse me, does this bus go to the airport?
2
くうこうまで どのぐらい かかりますか.
Kuukou made dono gurai kakarimasu ka.
How long does it take to the airport?
Example Usage
くうこうまで どのぐらい かかりますか.
Kuukou made dono gurai kakarimasu ka.
How long does it take to the airport?
3
なんばんのりばですか.
Nanban noriba desu ka.
What stand number is it?
Example Usage
くうこうゆきは なんばんのりばですか.
Kuukou yuki wa nanban noriba desu ka.
What stand number is the airport-bound bus?
4
つぎの えきは どこですか.
Tsugi no eki wa doko desu ka.
Where is the next station?
Example Usage
すみません、つぎの えきは どこですか.
Sumimasen, Tsugi no eki wa doko desu ka.
Excuse me, where is the next station?
5
ここで おります.
Koko de orimasu.
I get off here.
Example Usage
すみません、ここで おります.
Sumimasen, koko de orimasu.
Excuse me, I get off here.
6
おわすれもののないよう、おおりください
owasuremono no nai you, oori kudasai
Please make sure you don't forget anything when you get off
Example Usage
おわすれもののないよう、おおりください.
Owasuremono no nai you, oori kudasai.
Please make sure you don't forget anything when you get off.
Kanji
1
東口
East Exit
東🎬
east
口🎬
mouth, exit
Example
ひがしぐちで でてください.
Higashiguchi de dete kudasai.
Please exit at the East Exit.
2
西口
West Exit
西🎬
west
口🎬
mouth, exit
Example
にしぐちで まっています.
Nishiguchi de matte imasu.
I'm waiting at the West Exit.
3
南口
South Exit
南🎬
south
口🎬
mouth, exit
Example
みなみぐちは こちらです.
Minamiguchi wa kochira desu.
The South Exit is this way.
4
北口
North Exit
北🎬
north
口🎬
mouth, exit
Example
きたぐちで あいましょう.
Kitaguchi de aimashou.
Let's meet at the North Exit.
5
来ます
to come
来🎬
come
Example
なんじに きますか.
Nan-ji ni kimasu ka.
What time do you get here?
6
行きます
to go
行🎬
go
Example
えいがに いきませんか.
Eiga ni ikimasen ka.
Would you like to go to a movie?
7
乗ります
to ride, to get on
乗🎬
ride, get on
Example
でんしゃに のります.
Densha ni norimasu.
I get on the train.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Asking if a vehicle goes to a place
Structure: この + [Vehicle] + は + [Place] + に + 行きますか？
This expression asks for the destination of a vehicle. It is used to check whether the vehicle is going where you want to go. この is a demonstrative placed before a noun, as in このバス, and refers to something right in front of the speaker. The particle に comes after a place noun, as in 空港に, and marks the destination.
How to use: Use この + [Vehicle] + は + [Place] + に + 行きますか？ The question form is already shown by か？. A negative answer is いいえ、行きません. In casual speech, 行く？ can replace 行きますか？. The particle に marks the destination; へ can sometimes replace it, but this lesson uses に.
💡 Pro Tip: この must be followed by a noun, while これ stands alone. Use に for destination, not で; 空港で行きますか would mean something like 'go by airport.' Keep the question intonation rising at the end.
Examples
このバスは、空港に行きますか？
Kono basu wa, kuukou ni ikimasu ka?
Does this bus go to the airport?
この電車は、おおさかに行きますか？
Kono densha wa, Oosaka ni ikimasu ka?
Does this train go to Osaka?
Rule 2: Asking about a place or stop
Structure: ここは + [Place] + ですか？ / ここは + どこ + ですか？
This expression asks about a place. It is used to check the name of a bus stop or train station while riding. Use ここ to ask about where you are now. Use つぎ to ask about where the next stop is.
How to use: Use ここは + [Place] + ですか？ to confirm a place, or ここは、どこですか？ to ask where you are. For the next stop, use つぎはどこですか？ or つぎは[Place]ですか？. The negative is ここは[Place]じゃないです. In casual speech, ここどこ？ is possible.
💡 Pro Tip: ここ points to the speaker's current place; そこ is near the listener, and あそこ is far from both. Do not confuse ここ (place) with この (this + noun). どこ is the question word for place.
Examples
ここは、どこですか？
Koko wa, doko desu ka?
Where are we?
ここは、しんじゅくえきですか？
Koko wa, Shinjuku-eki desu ka?
Is this Shinjuku Station?
Rule 3: Saying how you come
Structure: [Vehicle] + で + 来ます
This expression talks about the means of transportation. It is used to talk about what one uses to go from home to the office. The means of transportation is marked with で, as in バイクで. For walking, use 歩いて, the テ-form of 歩く.
How to use: Use [Vehicle] + で + 来ます. For walking, say 歩いて来ます. To ask, use どうやって来ますか？ or 何で来ますか？. The negative is 来ません, and the past is 来ました.
💡 Pro Tip: で marks the means, while に marks the destination. Do not say 歩くで来ます; the correct form is 歩いて来ます. 何で can also mean 'why' depending on context, so どうやって is clearer for asking how.
Examples
バイクで来ます.
Baiku de kimasu.
I come by motorcycle.
電車で来ます.
Densha de kimasu.
I come by train.
Rule 4: Saying how long something takes
Structure: [Time/Period] + かかります
This expression gives the length of time or period. It is used to give one's commuting time. Use ～時 to indicate clock time and ～時間 to indicate length of time. However, ～分 can indicate both clock time and length of time, as in ７時10分 and 10分かかります. Use どのぐらい or どのくらい to ask for the length of time. The ぐらい in 30分ぐらい means generally or about. かかります is the マス-form of かかる (to take) and indicates that the given time or money is needed. Instead of ～かかります, ～です can also be used.
How to use: Use [Time/Period] + かかります. To ask, use どのぐらいかかりますか？ or どのくらいかかりますか？. The negative is かかりません, and the past is かかりました. For an approximate amount, use [Time] + ぐらい + かかります.
💡 Pro Tip: 時 is for clock time, 時間 is for duration, and 分 can be used for both. かかります can also be used with money, as in お金がかかります. Do not add です after かかります in the same clause; use ～です instead if you want a different polite ending.
| Form | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ～時 | clock time |
| ～時間 | length of time |
| ～分 | minutes; both clock time and length of time |
Examples
１時間半かかります.
Ichi-jikan han kakarimasu.
It takes about one and a half hours.
家から会社まで、30分ぐらいかかります.
Ie kara kaisha made, sanjuppun gurai kakarimasu.
It takes about 30 minutes from home to the office.
Rule 5: Boarding and getting off vehicles
Structure: [Place] + で + [Vehicle] + に + じょうります / [Place] + で + [Vehicle] + を + こうります
This expression explains how to get around using vehicles. じょうります is the マス-form of じょうる (to board/ride). Add に after the vehicle and use ～にじょうります. こうります is the マス-form of こうりる (to get off). Add を after the vehicle and use ～をこうります. Use で to mark the place for getting on or off, as in バスセンターで.
How to use: Use [Place] + で + [Vehicle] + に + じょうります and [Place] + で + [Vehicle] + を + こうります. To ask where to get off, use どこでこうりますか？. The negative is じょうりません or こうりません. A polite request is こうりて下さい.
💡 Pro Tip: じょうる takes に, while こうりる takes を. で marks the place of the action. Do not say バスをじょうります or バスにこうります. The place particle で is used for getting on or off at a location.
Examples
ここから、12番のバスにのります.
Koko kara, juuni-ban no basu ni norimasu.
Get on the No. 12 bus from here.
つぎの駅で電車をおります.
Tsugi no eki de densha o orimasu.
I get off the train at the next station.
Rule 6: Indicating from and to a place
Structure: [Place] + から + [Place] + まで
This expression indicates an interval. It is used to describe how to get around from one place to another. The particle から marks the starting point, and まで marks the ending point.
How to use: Use [Place] + から + [Place] + まで. It can combine with motion verbs, as in [Place] + から + [Place] + まで + 電車にじょうります. To ask, use どこからどこまでですか？. The same particles can also mark time intervals.
💡 Pro Tip: から marks the start and まで marks the end. Do not confuse まで with までに, which means 'by' a deadline. Word order is usually start + から + end + まで.
Examples
ここから新みなと駅まで、電車にのります.
Koko kara Shin-Minato eki made, densha ni norimasu.
Get on the train to Shin-Minato station from here.
東京駅からしんおおさかまで、新幹線で行きます.
Toukyou eki kara Shin-Oosaka made, shinkansen de ikimasu.
I go from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka by bullet train.
Rule 7: Listing things as examples
Structure: N1 + とか + N2 + とか + (を) + V-ます
This expression lists things as examples, often implying that there are other similar things too. とか is more casual than や. In the example わたしもときどき電車とかバスとか、しいます, it means 'I also sometimes use trains, buses, and such.'
How to use: Place とか after each noun: N1 + とか + N2 + とか. The object particle を is often omitted in casual speech, as in 電車とかバスとか、しいます. The full version would be 電車とかバスとかをしいます. It can also attach to verbs in casual lists, such as 食べるとか.
💡 Pro Tip: とか is casual and conversational; や is more neutral for listing nouns non-exhaustively. Do not use とか in formal writing. Do not pronounce it as どか. The final とか can sometimes be omitted, but keeping it makes the 'and such' nuance clear.
Examples
わたしもときどき電車とかバスとか、つかいます.
Watashi mo tokidoki densha toka basu toka, tsukaimasu.
I also sometimes use trains, buses, and such.
休みの日は、映画とか音楽とか、楽しみます.
Yasumi no hi wa, eiga toka ongaku toka, tanoshimimasu.
On days off, I enjoy things like movies and music.
Exercises
Question 1
'Does this bus go to the airport?'
このバスは、空港 ______ 行きますか？
Question 2
How do you say 'Does this train go to Osaka?'
Question 3
How do you ask 'Where are we?'
Question 4
'Is this Shinjuku Station?'
ここ ______ しんじゅくえきですか？
Question 5
'I come by motorcycle.'
バイク ______ 来ます.
Question 6
How do you ask 'How do you come?'
Question 7
'It takes one and a half hours.'
１時間半 ______.
Question 8
How do you ask 'How long does it take to the airport?'
Question 9
'I get on the train.'
電車 ______ のります.
Question 10
How do you say 'I get off the train at the next station.'?
Question 11
'Get on the train to Shin-Minato Station from here.'
ここ ______ 新みなと駅 ______ 、電車にのります.
Question 12
How do you say 'I go from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka by bullet train.'?
Question 13
'I also sometimes use trains, buses, and such.'
わたしもときどき電車 ______ バス ______ 、つかいます.
Question 14
How do you say 'On days off, I enjoy things like movies and music.'?
Question 15
Choose the correct reading of 東口.
Question 16
Choose the correct reading of 西口.
Question 17
Choose the correct reading of 南口.
Question 18
Choose the correct reading of 北口.
Question 19
Choose the correct reading of 来ます.
Question 20
Which is correct: 'Does this bus go to the airport? How long does it take?'