Dealing with a Train Delay at the Station — JLPT N4 Japanese Conversation
The situation
Yattan (ヤッタン) is a worried passenger whose train has stopped between stations announcements. On the platform, Yattan asks a station staff member (駅員さん) what's going on and what to do.
すみません、電車が止まってしまいました。何かあったんですか。
すみません、でんしゃが とまってしまいました。なにか あったんですか。
Excuse me, the train has stopped. Did something happen?
はい、隣の駅で人身事故があったようです。今、確認しています。
はい、となりの えきで じんしんじこが あったようです。いま、かくにんしています。
Yes, it seems there was a passenger accident at the next station. We're checking now.
そうですか…。しばらく動かないみたいですね。
そうですか…。しばらく うごかないみたいですね。
I see... It looks like it won't move for a while.
ええ、復旧までまだ時間がかかりそうです。
ええ、ふっきゅうまで まだ じかんが かかりそうです。
Yes, it looks like it'll still take time until service is restored.
急いでいるんです。どうしたらいいですか。
いそいでいるんです。どうしたら いいですか。
I'm in a hurry. What should I do?
振替輸送を使ったら、他の路線で行けますよ。改札で案内します。
ふりかえゆそうを つかったら、ほかの ろせんで いけますよ。かいさつで あんないします。
If you use the transfer service, you can go by another line. We'll guide you at the gate.
助かります。あ、会社に出すので、遅延証明書もいただけますか。
たすかります。あ、かいしゃに だすので、ちえんしょうめいしょも いただけますか。
That helps. Oh, since I need to submit it to my company, could I also get a delay certificate?
もちろんです。改札の横で配っていますので、お持ちください。
もちろんです。かいさつの よこで くばっていますので、おもちください。
Of course. We're handing them out beside the gate, so please take one.
Key expressions
- 〜てしまう — "end up doing / (regrettably) happen." 「止まってしまいました」 frames the stop as an unwanted, completed event, not a neutral fact. In speech it often contracts to 〜ちゃう (止まっちゃった). See 〜てしまう (finishing & regret).
- 〜ようです／〜みたいです — "it seems / it looks like," based on evidence. 「事故があったようです」 is the formal report; 「動かないみたいです」 is the softer, more conversational twin. See 〜ようだ・〜みたいだ (it seems).
- 〜たら — "if/when." 「振替輸送を使ったら」 = "if you use the transfer service." A flexible conditional that also covers "once/when" something is done. See 〜たら conditional.
- 〜そう (looks like it will) — 「時間がかかりそうです」 = "it looks like it'll take time," a guess from appearances. Attach そう to the verb stem (かかり → かかりそう) or i-adjective stem (高い → 高そう).
About train delays in Japan
Japanese trains are famously punctual, so a delay is treated seriously. The most common causes announced are 人身事故 (a passenger accident/injury on the tracks) and weather 遅延 (delays). When a line stops, railways activate 振替輸送 — you can ride a competing line for free by showing your ticket or IC-card journey, and staff at the 改札 (ticket gate) will direct you. Crucially, if you're late to work or school, ask for a 遅延証明書 (delay certificate); many are also downloadable from the railway's website. Employers and teachers routinely accept it. One survival phrase to remember: 「遅延証明書をください」 ("A delay certificate, please").
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between ようです and みたいです?
They mean nearly the same thing — 'it seems.' ようです is a bit more formal and common in writing or careful speech (station staff use it); みたいです is more casual and frequent in everyday conversation. Both are based on what you observe or hear.
Is 振替輸送 (transfer service) free?
Yes. When a line is suspended, you can take a designated alternate line at no extra charge by showing your valid ticket or by tapping the same IC route. Just tell staff at the gate your destination and they'll route you.
How do I actually ask for a delay certificate?
Say 「遅延証明書をいただけますか」 (polite) or simply 「遅延証明書をください」. Staff hand them out near the gate during delays, and most railways also post a downloadable PDF on their website for the affected dates.