Formal — to staff
Train · Travel
You
すみません、この車両は自由席ですか？
すみません、このしゃりょうはじゆうせきですか？
Excuse me, is this carriage for non-reserved seats?
Romaji: Sumimasen, kono sharyō wa jiyūseki desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, sō desu. Jiyūseki desu.
Reply
はい、そうです。自由席です。
はい、そうです。じゆうせきです。
Yes, that's right. It's a non-reserved seat carriage.
Gesture & etiquette
Point towards the carriage/seats.
Always check signs on the platform or the train itself first. If asking a fellow passenger, ensure they look approachable. Avoid blocking the aisle. On some lines, all seats are non-reserved or there are no 'cars' but specific zones (e.g., priority seating).
#train#travel#seat#unreserved#reserved#carriage#transportation