Question
I had just checked in at a Japanese inn and the staff was showing me my room.
I did not seem to notice any electric sockets around and my phone battery was dying. How do I ask “where are the electric sockets?”
Answer by Professional Japanese Teacher
(1) コンセントはどちらですか。
Konsento wa dochira desu ka.
Where are the electric sockets?
(2) コンセントはどこですか。
Konsento wa doko desu ka.
Where are the electric sockets?
Konsento refers to “electric socket” or “power outlet” in Japanese. Dochira or doko means “where” but the former is more polite. It would be good to add sumimasen (excuse me) before your sentence.
