So for example one of the sentences would be...
Is it okay to smoke / if I smoke?
Is it ok to smoke here?
And that's the point when they will ask you...
Kitsuen seki (smoking) or Kinen seki (non-smoking).
Hello everyone this is Cathy Cat!
And this is Misato.
Today we will be talking about tobacco.
Some of you might be smokers and when you come to Japan
you might find yourself challenged a little bit because
here are different regulations about where you can smoke.
For example on some streets, a good example is Akihabara,
you are not even allowed to smoke outside.
If you're thinking 'I am outside, I will be fine' NO!
That does not apply in Japan.
It's a lot harder for smokers here. There are usually designated smoker's
cabins in certain areas. And also smokers sections.
And "Smoking ok" areas.
Where you will have to stand inside and smoke especially ONLY in that area.
It's a lot harder for smokers and don't think it's gonna be ok
cause you're outside. Because it's probably not gonna be.
Especially in Tokyo. So.
There are a couple of words that you might have to remember.
So we put those together to help you as a smoker to get your way around Tokyo
or Japan.
So for example one of the sentences would be...
Tabako daijyoubu desu ka?
Is it ok to smoke?
It's a good thing to ask, especially when you are around people.
You might be going out for a business dinner and you might be sitting in the
smoker's section. But no one else is smoking.
So you might wanna check first if that's ok really.
Let's try a couple of examples.
Ready go: For Example
For example at the restaurant.
Let's pretend Cathy is a smoker.
- Excuse me. - Yes?
Is it ok to smoke here?
- At the seats over there you can smoke. - Ok, Thanks.
Restaurant Example Two!
- Welcome. - Hello.
Do you want a smokers seat (kitsuen seki) or a non smoker's seat (kinen seki)?
The place where tabacco...
is ok....?
That would be kitsuen seki! Follow me.
Thank you.
Usually when you come to a restaurant in Japan, right at the front you are asked
to wait and then a member of staff will come and take you to your seat.
And that's the point when they will ask you:
Kitsuen seki (smoking) or Kinen seki (non-smoking).
That's one thing that I always mistake myself because
they sound very similar.
What is "kitsuen"?
That's the ok to smoke area.
Kitsuen is, if you are a smoker, that's where you wanna sit.
- And the next one is...? - Kinen!
So that's for the non-smokers. That's the section where you wanna go
if you don't wanna have any smoke coming in your direction.
Those ones are really easy to mistake, so take some notes now
so you remember to ask for the right area.
Obviously, if you can't remember at the time...
You have still the sentence:
"Tabaco daijoubu desu ka" so you can maybe still put that in.
So people might understand that instead.
For example, when you are chatting with friends.
That dress was so super cute and I really wanted to buy it but...
- then I didn't buy it. - You didn't?
Anyways....
Is it ok if I smoke?
That's ok.
Thank you...
I shall (badly pretend) to smoke now...
And when I came the other week the dress was reduced!
You are so lucky! You need to wear that dress next time!
I will!
There are lots of areas where you cannot smoke so be sure to ask
'tabako daijoubu desu ka?' before you start smoking in Japan.
I hope this helped you. Remember the words that we told you!
If you have further questions for smokers in Japan
or stories you would like to share, leave us a comment!
We are looking forward to your comments.
Thank you for watching and catch you soon here on Ask Japanese!
Bye bye!