Japanese for English speakers Clothes · Lesson 8

Long and short vowels

Japanese pronunciation tips — short vs long vowels can change meaning (おばさん aunt vs おばあさん grandmother). Learn polite shop phrases: 領収書 (receipt), ありがとうございました.

Conversation

  1. Rose Rose

    領収書をお持ちですか？

    ryōshūsho o omochi desu ka?

    Do you have the receipt?

    Tip: <ryōshūsho> = receipt, invoice <o mochi desu ka> = formal way to say "do you have...?"

  2. Rocky Rocky

    はい、どうぞ

    hai, dōzo

    Yes, here you are

  3. Rose Rose

    ありがとうございました

    arigatō gozaimashita

    Thank you very much

  4. Rose Rose

    新しいシャツをどうぞ

    atarashī shatsu o dōzo

    And here's a new shirt

    Tip: <atarashī> = new, brand new <dōzo> = in this context, it means "here is". It can also mean "please do", and has some other nuanced meanings

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Why do long vowels matter in Japanese?

A long vowel can completely change a word's meaning. おばさん (oba-san) is 'aunt'; おばあさん (obaa-san) is 'grandmother'. Always listen for vowel length.

What is 領収書 (ryōshūsho)?

An official receipt or invoice — often requested by customers for business expenses, distinct from a casual レシート (reshīto).

What does どうぞ mean?

'Please, go ahead' or 'here you are' — used when offering, presenting, or inviting. Context decides the exact nuance.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Japanese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.