Japanese - Problems

Lesson 164 of 168

A traveler in Japan looking at a phone and an umbrella, practicing polite problem phrases in Japanese.

Goal: Polite ways to say you're in trouble or forgot something

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Hi — ready to handle small travel troubles in Japanese? This quick lesson focuses on short, polite phrases you can use when something goes wrong. Listen, repeat, then try them aloud.

Level A1: In Lesson 164 you'll learn polite, everyday ways to say you have a problem, forgot something, or your battery is low. We'll practice phrases like それは困ります (Sore wa komarimasu) and 電池が切れそうです (Denchi ga kiresō desu) in short dialogues and drills. CEFR-aligned and made for real moments — lost phones, low battery, or just asking for help.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Understand and use basic problem phrases at A1 level (e.g. 困っています (Komatte imasu)).
  • Say politely that something is a problem: それは困ります (Sore wa komarimasu).
  • Report simple issues: 忘れました (Wasuremashita), 電池が切れそうです (Denchi ga kiresō desu), and specific forgotten items (携帯/傘).
A rainy station in Japan where a learner realizes they forgot their umbrella and phone, showing common problem phrases.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

それは困ります。

Sore wa komarimasu.

That would be a problem.

Meaning: That would be a problem.

When to use: Use それは困ります when you want to politely say a situation causes trouble or is inconvenient for you.

急に来られないと言われると、それは困ります。

Kyū ni korarenai to iwareru to, sore wa komarimasu.

If someone suddenly says they can't come, that would be a problem.
予約を変更できないと聞いて、それは困ります。

Yoyaku o henkō dekinai to kiite, sore wa komarimasu.

Hearing you can't change the reservation — that would be a problem.

困っています

Komatte imasu.

I’m having trouble.

Meaning: I’m having trouble.

When to use: Say 困っています when you need help or want to explain you are in a difficult situation but haven't given details yet.

道に迷って困っています。

Michi ni mayotte komatte imasu.

I'm lost and having trouble.
書類が見つからなくて困っています。

Shorui ga mitsukaranakute komatte imasu.

I can't find my documents — I'm in trouble.

忘れました

Wasuremashita.

I forgot.

Meaning: I forgot.

When to use: Use 忘れました to say you forgot something like an item, a name, or a task; it's polite and past-tense.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 忘れた (informal) in polite contexts; stick with 忘れました in stores or with strangers.

名前を忘れました。ごめんなさい。

Namae o wasuremashita. Gomen nasai.

I forgot the name. I'm sorry.
鍵を忘れました。家に入れません。

Kagi o wasuremashita. Ie ni hairemasen.

I forgot my keys. I can't get into the house.

電池が切れそうです。

Denchi ga kiresō desu.

My battery is about to die.

Meaning: My battery is about to die.

When to use: Use 電池が切れそうです for phones, cameras, or other devices when the battery level is very low.

Tip: Don't say 電池が切れました (battery already died) if you mean it is about to die; use 切れそうです to show it's almost empty.

今写真を撮ろうとしたら電池が切れそうです。

Ima shashin o torō to shitara denchi ga kiresō desu.

I was about to take a photo and the battery is about to die.
スマホの電池が切れそうです。充電はできますか？

Sumaho no denchi ga kiresō desu. Jūden wa dekimasu ka?

My phone's battery is about to die. Can I charge it?

携帯を忘れました。

Keitai o wasuremashita.

I forgot my phone.

Meaning: I forgot my phone.

When to use: Use 携帯を忘れました when you realize you left your mobile phone somewhere; 携帯 is common, everyday word.

家に携帯を忘れました。戻らないと。

Uchi ni keitai o wasuremashita. Modoranai to.

I forgot my phone at home. I need to go back.
駅で携帯を忘れました。心配です。

Eki de keitai o wasuremashita. Shinpai desu.

I forgot my phone at the station. I'm worried.

傘を忘れました。

Kasa o wasuremashita.

I forgot my umbrella.

Meaning: I forgot my umbrella.

When to use: Use 傘を忘れました especially in Japan's rainy seasons when leaving your umbrella behind is a common problem.

雨なのに傘を忘れました。どうしよう。

Ame na no ni kasa o wasuremashita. Dō shiyō.

It's raining and I forgot my umbrella. What should I do?
カフェに傘を忘れました。店に電話します。

Kafe ni kasa o wasuremashita. Mise ni denwa shimasu.

I forgot my umbrella at the café. I'll call the shop.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

At a train station bench — Anna realizes she has problems and talks to David.

Two people talking at a platform bench in Japanese, one explaining they forgot their phone and that the battery is low.

What did Anna say she forgot?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

すみません、困っています。

Sumimasen, komatte imasu.

Excuse me, I'm having trouble.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

どうしましたか？

Dō shimashita ka?

What's wrong?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

携帯を忘れました。それは困ります。

Keitai o wasuremashita. Sore wa komarimasu.

I forgot my phone. That would be a problem.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

電池が切れそうですか？

Denchi ga kiresō desu ka?

Is your battery about to die?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

はい、電池が切れそうです。しかも傘を忘れました。

Hai, denchi ga kiresō desu. Shikamo kasa o wasuremashita.

Yes, my battery is about to die. Also, I forgot my umbrella.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

わかりました。いいですよ、助けます。

Wakarimashita. Ii desu yo, tasukemasu.

Okay. It's fine — I'll help you.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means 'I'm having trouble'?

How do you say 'My battery is about to die' politely?

Which phrase best fits: 'I forgot my umbrella'?

If someone says 'それは困ります', what are they expressing?

Excuse me, I'm lost and having trouble. I can't find the station.

すみません、道に迷って___。駅が見つかりません。

While traveling, I tried to take a photo but my battery is about to die. The camera won't work.

旅行中に写真を撮ろうとしたら、___。カメラが動きません。

I was about to be late for a meeting, checked my bag, and I forgot my phone — I can't contact anyone.

会議に遅れそうでバッグを見たら、___。連絡ができません。

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

それは困ります。

Sore wa komarimasu.

That would be a problem.

Say this phrase out loud:

困っています

Komatte imasu.

I'm having trouble.

Say this phrase out loud:

忘れました

Wasuremashita.

I forgot.

Say this phrase out loud:

電池が切れそうです。

Denchi ga kiresō desu.

My battery is about to die.

Say this phrase out loud:

携帯を忘れました。

Keitai o wasuremashita.

I forgot my phone.

Say this phrase out loud:

傘を忘れました。

Kasa o wasuremashita.

I forgot my umbrella.