Transportation

MichikoNakamura — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:58:00 -0400

Read this opening conversation at the bus stop:

Michiko: Excuse me, what number bus do I take to Ala Moana?
Michael: You can either take the number 4 or the number 1 bus.
Michiko: Thank you.

Read this example sentence:

"Excuse me, what number bus do I take to Ala Moana?"

Another way to say the same thing is:

"What number bus goes to Ala Moana?"

or
"What number bus will take me to Ala Moana?"

If you want to know how to get somewhere, you can ask someone this way. Read this short conversation:

Michiko: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to Waipahu from here?
Michael: Sure, just take any number 18 bus and you will be on your way.
Michiko: Thanks a lot.

Read this example sentence:

"Excuse me, could you tell me   how to get to Waipahu from here?"

You could also say:

"How do I get to Waipahu?"

or
"Please tell me how to go to Waipahu?"

When you get to the bus stop, you might need to ask some more questions. Read this conversation:

Michiko: Does bus number 3 pass by here?
Michael: Yes, it does.

When you are at the bus stop, you might have to wait for a long time. At that time, it's OK to ask a stranger what time the next bus will come. Read this conversation:

Michiko: Excuse me, do you know when bus number 18 comes?
Michael: Yes, it comes every 20 minutes.
Michiko: Thank you.

When the bus finally comes, you might need to ask the price of the ticket or bus fare. Especially if you are a tourist or if you are not familiar with the bus system.   In this conversation, the lady asked:

"how much is the fare?"

You can use this sentence when taking the bus or taxi or train. The fare will be different depending on what means of transportation you use. For example:

"How much is the fare?"

After you pay the fare and get on the bus, the next thing you will have to do is to find a seat. If there any open seats, you don't need to say anything. Just sit down. What do you do if there is someone's bag occupying a seat? In that case, you would say:

"May I sit here?"

or
"Is this seat taken?"

If you are sitting down and an older person comes onto the bus, you should offer them your seat. It's only polite. In that case, you would stand up and say:

"Excuse me, would you like to sit down?"

or
"Please have a seat."

If someone offers you a seat but you don't want to take it, what would you say? Read this short conversation:

Michiko: Please have a seat.
Michael: No, that's Ok. I'm getting off at the next stop.
Michiko: Are you sure?
Michael: Yes, thank you for asking.

In this conversation, the man said:

"I'm getting off at the next stop"

He could also say:

"I'm getting off soon"

This sentence can be very useful especially if you ride the bus very often. There might be other reasons why you don't want to sit down.

Read these example conversations:

Michiko: Would you like to sit down?
Michael: No, that's ok. I've been sitting down all day.

Michiko: Please have a seat.
Michael: No, thank you. I don't mind standing.

What about when you take a taxi? In that situation, you just need to give them the address. Read this short conversation:

Michael: Hi, where do you want to go?
Michiko: Could you take me to 765 Amana Street please.

Sometimes, you may not know the exact address. In that case, what will happen? Read this conversation:

Driver: Where to?
Michiko: The mailbox at the end of King street.
Driver: Which mailbox? What's near it?
Michiko: I don't know. I'll know when I see it.
Driver: OK. I'll just drive and you tell me when you want me to stop.

If the driver doesn't know where you want to go at first, he might ask you some questions like:

"What's near it?"

or
"Do you know what area it's in?"

or
"Are there any landmarks nearby?"

In the conversation above, the lady didn't know any landmarks or familiar places. This can be a big problem for the taxi driver because he will have to depend on the passenger's vision. It will be even more difficult if it's at night. Read these example sentences:

"I will know it when I see it"

"I don't know the address. I only know it by sight"

You might want the driver to stop at a bus stop or at an intersection.

Read this conversation:

Driver: Where would you like to go?
Michiko: To the mailbox at the end of King Street.
Driver: Which mailbox are you talking about. Are there any landmarks nearby?
Michiko: I don't know. I'll know when I see it.
Driver: OK. I'll just drive and you tell me when you want to get off.
Michiko: It's coming up. Over there.
Driver: Where?
Michiko: Could you stop before the next intersection?
Driver: Right here?
Michiko: Yes. How much do I owe you?
Driver: That'll be $12.85.
Michiko: Here keep the change.
Driver: Thank you.

There may be times when you will miss your destination or get off too early.   If you pass your stop, you can say:

"We passed it"

or
"We missed it"

If you want the driver to go ahead, you can say:

"Could you go a little further?"

or
"It's a little further up ahead"

Now let's learn about traveling in a car. Read this next conversation:

Michael: Michiko, can I have a ride home?
Michiko: Sure, hop in.
Michael: I hope it's not out of your way.
Michiko: Oh, no. It's no problem.

In this conversation, Michael didn't have a car so he asked Michiko to take him home.Read these example conversations:

Michael: Can I have a ride home?
Michiko: Sure

Michael: Could you give me a ride home?
Michiko:   It would be my pleasure.

Michael: Could you give me a lift?
Michiko: OK.

Michael: Can I catch a ride home?
Michiko: No problem.

In the conversation above, Michael said:

"I hope it's not out of your way"

That means he hopes it's not inconvenient. If you want the driver to drive more carefully, you can use one of these sentences. Read these example sentences:

"Please keep your eyes on the road"

"Please pay attention to your driving"

タイヤがパンクしました。

ShuzoNakamura — Wed, 16 Aug 2000 22:30:00 -0400

今回の滞在は少し長期なので、自転車を活用してハワイ生活を楽しみたいと考えました。その際、自転車を借りるより、安いものを購入して、帰国時には、どこかに寄付しようと考えました。購入して数日後、自転車がパンクしてしまいました。どこかの修理屋さんに持っていきたいのですが、勝手が分からず、残念ながら、しばし部屋の中に放置することとなりました。

パンクの修理など何でもないことのようで、実際、そんな事態に出会うと戸惑います。まず念のため、近くのガソリンスタンドへ持って行き、空気を入れさせてもらうことでしょう。次に、イエローページで、自転車の修理 (Bicycles-Repair ) の項を開け、最寄りの自転車店を見付けます。修理店に持って行くのに距離がある場合には、バスを利用することになりますが、バスの前の部分に自転車用のラックがありますから、それに自転車を乗せて、バスに乗り込んでください。以下、便利な表現をあげてみます。

エアーポンプは、どこにありますか？

　（ガソリンスタンドで）

自転車をバスに乗せたいのですが。

　（バスの運転手さんに）

タイヤがパンクしました。

タイヤに穴があいていると思うのですが？

タイヤに空気を入れてみたのですが、
また、パンクしてしまいました。

8/16/2000

（ジャパニーズビーチプレス連載）

茶飲みトーク: Tag Transportation

Transportation

タイヤがパンクしました。