Ekiben 駅弁

Help 緊急 · Stop X01

落とし物

Lost and found in Japanese

Shibuya's streets all look the same, and your wallet is gone. Good news: the koban by the Hachiko statue is right there. Say you're lost or have lost something, find a koban, and ask for someone who speaks English.

  • 渋谷駅前交番 · Set in Shibuya Station Koban
  • 6-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

みちにまよいました

michi ni mayoimashita

I'm lost.

Say it at a koban, station or shop, then show the address or map pin of where you want to go.

道にmichi ni · the way迷いましたmayoimashita · got lost

さいふをなくしました

saifu o nakushimashita

I lost my wallet.

Swap in any item: スマホ (sumaho, phone), かぎ (kagi, key), カード (kaado, card).

Pattern: 〜をなくしました

財布をsaifu o · wallet (object)なくしましたnakushimashita · lost

こうばんはどこですか？

kouban wa doko desu ka?

Where is the police box?

Koban are small police posts, usually near stations. Look for the KOBAN sign.

Pattern: 〜はどこですか？

交番はkouban wa · police box (topic)どこdoko · whereですかdesu ka · is it?

えいごがはなせるひとはいますか？

eigo ga hanaseru hito wa imasu ka?

Is there anyone who speaks English?

Asks the whole office, not just the person in front of you, so nobody is put on the spot.

英語がeigo ga · English (object)話せるhanaseru · can speak人はhito wa · person (topic)いますかimasu ka · is there?

pasupooto o nakushimashita

I lost my passport.

Report it at a koban first, then contact your embassy about a replacement.

パスポートをpasupooto o · passport (object)なくしましたnakushimashita · lost

でんしゃにわすれものをしました

densha ni wasuremono o shimashita

I left something on the train.

Tell station staff the line, the time and which car you were in. Lost items very often turn up.

電車にdensha ni · on the train忘れ物をwasuremono o · forgotten item (object)しましたshimashita · did

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

dou saremashita ka?

What seems to be the problem?

A police officer at the koban asks how they can help.

You

michi ni mayoimashita

I'm lost.

doko de nakushita ka, wakarimasu ka?

Do you know where you lost it?

The officer asks about your missing item.

You

Shibuya eki da to omoimasu

I think it was at Shibuya Station.

kochira ni onamae to renrakusaki o kaite kudasai.

Please write your name and contact details here.

Filing a lost-item report. Your hotel's name and phone number work as contact details.

You

hai, wakarimashita

Okay.

Culture tip

Koban: The Neighborhood Police Box

Koban (交番) are small police posts near stations and busy corners, often marked KOBAN. Officers give directions, take lost-item reports and help in emergencies. If nobody's in, they're out on patrol: use the phone there. Lost wallets often come back, cash and all.

“If a koban is empty, you can use the phone there to reach the police.”

Practice scene

The Missing Wallet

Shibuya Station Koban, by the Hachiko exit. Your wallet is gone, and you think you left it on the train.

Officer Mori · Police officer at the koban

  1. konnichiwa. dou saremashita ka?

    Hello. What seems to be the problem?

  2. Your turn: Tell the officer you lost your wallet.

    saifu o nakushimashita

    I lost my wallet.

  3. saifu desu ne. doko de nakushita ka, wakarimasu ka?

    Your wallet. Do you know where you lost it?

  4. Your turn: You think you left it on the train. Tell him.

    densha ni wasuremono o shimashita

    I left something on the train.

  5. wakarimashita. eki ni renraku shite mimasu. kochira ni onamae to renrakusaki o kaite kudasai.

    Got it. I'll contact the station. Please write your name and contact details here.

  6. Your turn: The form is all in Japanese. Ask if anyone there speaks English.

    eigo ga hanaseru hito wa imasu ka?

    Is there anyone who speaks English?

  7. shoushou omachi kudasai. eigo ga dekiru mono o yobimasu.

    One moment, please. I'll call someone who speaks English.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3