Non-Japanese: How much is it to Haneda airport? (gaikokujinn: haneda’kuukou made dono kurai kakarimasu ka.) Driver: It depends on the traffic. But it should be about 30 minutes. (unntennshu: komiguai ni yorimasu ga, sanjuppunn’gurai desu. ) Non-Japanese: How much is it? (gaikokujinn: donokurai kakarimsu ka.) Driver: Couldn’t you hear me? It takes about 30 minutes. (unntennshu: kikoemasenn deshita ka. sannjuppunn’gurai desu.) Driver: Right, get in please. (unntennshu: soredeha, notte kudasai.) Non-Japanese: ... (gaikokujinn: ...) Driver: I understood. So, quick, get in please! (unntennshu: wakarimashita. hayaku notte kudasai!) Non-Japanese: ... (gaikokujinn: ...) Manga Explanation: Scene 1. A foreigner asks a taxi driver a question in Japanese. He meant to ask “How much is the fare?” by saying “donokurai,” but the Japanese driver took him to mean “How much time does it take?” In fact, donokurai can refer to both money and time, as well as others including volume and numbers. The driver, tells him about 30 minutes. Scene 2. The foreigner, who can’t speak Japanese well, doesn’t understand what she said, and so repeats the same question again. Scene 3. The foreigner makes a gesture with his thumb and index finger. He meant money, but the driver takes this to mean “OK.” This gesture can mean either money or OK in Japan. The driver thinks that he now understands her explanation. Scene 4. However, the foreigner is enquiring about the cost of the fare. So, he repeats the same gesture.
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