Travel
Speakin’ Japanese: Car talk
By
Stripes Japan December 3, 2025
Takahiro Takiguchi and Shoji Kudaka
Stripes Japan December 3, 2025
(Illustration by Yukiyo Oda/Stripes Japan)
A personal vehicle is a great way to get around base and help you explore. Here are some helpful phrases to help you down the road!
“Kono kuruma wa ikura desuka?” = How much is this car?
(“kono” = this, “kuruma” = car, “ikura desuka” = how much is..?)
“Kono kuruma wa nannen-sei desuka?” = What year was this car made? / How old is this car?
(“nannen-sei” = ..year made)
“Shuurireki wa arimasuka?” = Does the car have any repair history?
(“shuurireki” = repair history, “arimasuka” = is there..?)
“Hoken wa doko de kakeraremasuka? ”
= Where can I insure the car?
(“hoken” = insurance, “doko” = where, “kakeraremasuka” = insure/take)
“Donna hoshoo to shiharai hoohoo ga arimasuka?” = What kind of warranties and payment plans do you have?
(“donna” = what kind of, “hoshoo” = warranty, “to” = and, “shiharai hoohoo” = payment plans)
“Koko ni kuruma wo tomete mo iidesuka?” = Can I park here?
(“koko” = here, “kuruma” = car, “tomete” = park, “iidesuka?” = Can I?)
“Koko wa chuusha kinshi desu.” = No parking here. (“chuusha kinshi” = no parking)
“Doko ni kuruma wo tometara iidesuka.” = Where can I park my car?
(“doko” = where)
“Chuushajo wa doko ni arimasu ka?” = Where is the parking lot?
(“chuushajo” = parking lot, “doko” = where, “arimasu ka?”
= is there?)
“Ima sugu idoo shimasu.” = I will move my car soon.
(“ima” = now, “sugu” = soon, “idoo shimasu” = will move)
When on OKINAWA, you can also say it in “Uchinaanguchi” (island dialect) like this:
“Chuushajo ya Maankai Aibiiga?” = Where can I find a parking lot?
“Kunu fin nakai chuushajo ya aibiimi?” = Is there a parking lot around here?
“Chuushajo made chanuati aibiiga?” = Haw far is it from here to a parking lot?
“Guburii Yaibii shiga.” = Excuse me.
“Chuusharyo ya chassa natouibiiga.” = How much is the parking fee?