On the way
Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 53 of 71Plans and invitations
Lets you check where someone is and report where you are.
- ima doko?where are you?
- ima mukatteruI'm on my way
- mou sugu tsukuI'm almost there
- tsuita yoI'm here; I've arrived
- matteru neI'll be waiting; I'll wait for you
Mix-ups tsuita (I've arrived) and tsuku (I will arrive) get swapped.
ima doko?
polite ima doko desu ka
where are you?
The standard text or call when meeting up; answer with a place + da yo, or ima mukatteru.
To someone senior, ima dochira desu ka sounds more polite.
ima doko? mou eki ni tsuita yo.
Where are you? I'm already at the station.
今どこ？もう駅に着いたよ。
ima doko desu ka? kaisatsu no mae ni imasu.
Where are you now? I'm in front of the ticket gates.
今どこですか？改札の前にいます。
Written 今どこ？ · いまどこ · 今どこですかWho you say it and hear itHeard 340× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ima mukatteru
polite ima mukatte imasu
I'm on my way
Texted or said when someone asks where you are; add a place + ni to say where you're heading.
Mukau means head toward. Ima iku is closer to I'm coming right now.
ima mukatteru! juppun gurai de tsuku.
I'm on my way! I'll be there in about ten minutes.
今向かってる！10分ぐらいで着く。
ima eki ni mukatte imasu. sugu tsukimasu.
I'm heading to the station now. I'll be there soon.
今駅に向かっています。すぐ着きます。
Written 今向かってる · いまむかってる · 今向かっていますWho you say itHeard 143× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
mou sugu tsuku
polite mou sugu tsukimasu
I'm almost there
Texted or said when you're close; often with yo, or kara to mean so hang on.
Mou sugu means very soon and works with other verbs: mou sugu owaru (almost done).
mou sugu tsuku yo. ato gofun.
I'm almost there. Five more minutes.
もうすぐ着くよ。あと5分。
sumimasen, mou sugu tsukimasu.
Sorry, I'm almost there.
すみません、もうすぐ着きます。
Written もうすぐ着く · もうすぐつく · もうすぐ着きますWho you say itHeard 32× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
tsuita yo
polite tsukimashita
I'm here; I've arrived
Texted or said when you reach the meeting place; add where: eki ni tsuita yo.
Past tense because you've already arrived. Mou tsuita? means are you there yet?
tsuita yo. kitaguchi no mae ni iru.
I'm here. I'm in front of the north exit.
着いたよ。北口の前にいる。
ima tsukimashita. iriguchi no mae ni imasu.
I just got here. I'm in front of the entrance.
今着きました。入口の前にいます。
Written 着いたよ · ついたよ · 着きましたWho you say itHeard 138× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
matteru ne
polite matte imasu ne
I'll be waiting; I'll wait for you
Said to someone on their way, or warmly at a goodbye to mean see you then.
To customers or seniors, omachi shite imasu is the humble version.
wakatta. jaa, kafe de matteru ne.
Okay. I'll wait for you at the café, then.
わかった。じゃあ、カフェで待ってるね。
wakarimashita. robii de matte imasu ne.
Understood. I'll be waiting in the lobby.
わかりました。ロビーで待っていますね。
Written 待ってるね · まってるね · 待っていますねWho you say itHeard 112× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles