Learning Japanese for JLPT N4: Asking About Products, Sizes, and Exchanges

The JLPT N4 exam focuses heavily on practical conversational skills. A core part of this is being able to handle everyday shopping scenarios – asking about products, their sizes, and exchanging items. This article will guide you through the key phrases and vocabulary you need to confidently navigate those situations.

Essential Phrases & Vocabulary

Let’s break down what you’ll need to know:

• Greetings: Konnichiwa (こんにちは – Hello), Sumimasen (すみません – Excuse me)
• Asking for Help: Wakarimasen (わかりません – I don’t understand), Eigo no hanasu koto ga dekimasu ka? (英語を話すことができますか？- Can you speak English?)
• Product Questions:
  • Kore wa nan desu ka? (これは何ですか？ – What is this?)
  • Ima, tsuitajima desu ka? (今、 τιταιijimaですか？ – Is it available now?)
  • Totemo suki desu (とても好きです – I like it very much)
• Size Questions:
  • Itsu hakai desu ka? (いつ発売ですか？- When was it released?)
  • Suuchou wa itsu hakai desu ka? (サイズはいつ発売ですか？ – What about size ?)
  • Wareware no (size) wa arimasu ka? (私の(size)がありますか？ – Do you have my size?)
• Exchange/Return Questions:
  • Tsugi ni kuru deshou ka? (次に来るでしょうか？ – Shall I come again?)
  • Kaishakuten o onegai shimasu. (紹介してお願いします。- Please introduce me)

Dialogue Example 1: Asking About a Product

Shop Assistant: Konnichiwa! Nani ga hitotsu mitai desu ka? (こんにちは！何か一つ見たいですか？ – Hello! Would you like to see something?)

You: Sumimasen. Kore wa nan desu ka? (すみません。これは何ですか？ – Excuse me. What is this?)

Shop Assistant: Kore wa kimono desu. Watashi no furui jikan ni warau to fukari arimasen.(これはキモノです。私の古い時間につかうとふかいありません。 – This is a kimono. It’s not good for the old times.)

You: Arigato gozaimasu. Totemo suki desu! (ありがとうございます。とても好きです！ – Thank you very much! I like it very much!)

Dialogue Example 2: Asking About Size

Shop Assistant: Sumimasen, nani o hanashite imasu ka? (すみません、何を話していますか？ – Excuse me, what are you talking about?)

You: Suuchou wa 23.5 desu ka? Wareware no suichouwa 24desu. Arimasu ka? (サイズは23.5ですか？ 私のサイズは24です。ありますか？ – What about size 23.5? My size is 24, do you have it?)

Shop Assistant: Hai, arimasu! (はい、あります！ – Yes, we do!)

Common Mistakes & Corrections

• Mistake: Nan desu ka? is often used when you already know what the item is. It’s better to use it when you’re genuinely unsure.
• Correction: Use Nani o shite imasu ka? (何をしていますか？ – What is it doing?) when asking about an action or function of a product.
• Mistake: Saying Watashi wa… desu (私は…です) excessively in response to questions can sound stiff. Short, polite phrases like Hai, arimasu (はい、あります – Yes, we have) are more natural.

Practice Tips

The best way to learn is through practice! Try these exercises:

• Imagine yourself in a store and create your own dialogues using the phrases above.
• Find a language partner or tutor who can help you role-play these scenarios.
• Listen to Japanese conversations (e.g., YouTube videos) and try to identify the vocabulary and sentence structures used for shopping.

Good luck with your JLPT N4 studies!