Common signs in Japanese stations

The idea

Look for 出口（でぐち） for an exit, 改札口（かいさつぐち） for a ticket gate and 乗り場（のりば） for a boarding area. A direction can narrow the exit, as in 北口, north exit; check the station map and your destination.

Examples

• 出口でぐちはあちらです。The exit is over there.
• 改札口かいさつぐちはどこですか。Where is the ticket gate?
• 北口きたぐちで友達ともだちと会あいます。I meet a friend at the north exit.
• 切符きっぷを買かいます。I buy a ticket.
• 電車でんしゃの乗のり場ばはどこですか。Where is the train platform?
• 時刻表じこくひょうを見みてください。Please look at the timetable.

Watch out

An exit and a ticket gate are different: a station can have several of each. The right platform depends on your train and direction.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the Japanese form for “exit”: （出口でぐち／改札口かいさつぐち）

   Show answer or example answer

   出口

   出口 matches “exit”; 改札口 matches “ticket gate”.

2. Choose the Japanese form for “ticket gate”: （乗のり場ば／改札口かいさつぐち）

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   改札口

   改札口 matches “ticket gate”; 乗り場 matches “boarding area”.

3. Choose the Japanese form for “boarding area”: （乗のり場ば／出口でぐち）

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   乗り場

   乗り場 matches “boarding area”; 出口 matches “exit”.

Use it today

Use the reference to make two sentences of your own about this topic. Read them aloud and compare them with the examples.