Through the Security Gate: Airport Japanese

Literal Passport and boarding-pass [object] show-please.

One of the first phrases you'll hear at the security gate. 見せてください is the polite imperative of 見せる (to show), formed with the て-form + ください.

• ～てください = polite request/imperative
• を = object marker particle
• と = and (listing two items)

Literal Shoes [object] take-off, tray [into] put-please.

A two-part instruction chained with the て-form. 脱ぐ means to remove footwear or clothing; 入れる means to put inside. The て-form of the first verb connects to the second action.

• て-form chains sequential actions
• に = directional particle (into the tray)
• 脱いで = て-form of 脱ぐ (u-verb, irregular spelling)

Literal Laptop [topic] bag from take-out-please.

から marks the source of removal (out of the bag). Using は instead of を as the topic marker implies a contrast — the laptop needs to come out, but other items can stay.

• は = topic marker (with contrasting nuance here)
• から = from (marks source of movement)
• 出してください = polite imperative of 出す (to take out)

Literal Belt and watch [object] remove-please.

外す means to detach or take off accessories and fastened items — distinct from 脱ぐ which is for clothing. と naturally lists two items as a pair.

• 外してください = polite imperative of 外す (to remove/detach)
• と = and (listing two items)
• を = object marker

Literal Metal-detector [object] pass-through-please.

通る means to pass through a place or device. When used with を, it treats the space as the path being traversed — a common pattern with movement verbs.

• を = object particle used with movement verbs (traversing a space)
• 通ってください = polite imperative of 通る (to pass through)

Literal Carry-on [in] liquids [topic] are-contained?

入っていますか uses the ている form to ask about a current state — whether liquids are present inside the bag right now. This is the standard screening question at Japanese airports.

• ～ていますか = present state question (is X contained/happening?)
• に = locational particle (inside the carry-on)
• は = topic marker, slightly emphasizing the question target

Literal This bag [possessive] inside [in] what [subject] is-contained?

の中に is the natural way to say 'inside of' something. 何が入っていますか uses が (subject marker) with the existential ている form, asking what contents are present.

• の中に = inside of (locational noun phrase)
• 何が = what as subject (が used in existential/content questions)
• 入っていますか = present state question about contents

Literal A-little honorable-wait-please. Additional-inspection exists/will-happen.

お待ちください is the honorific imperative of 待つ (to wait) — more formal than 待ってください. があります states that something exists or is going to happen, here announcing the next step.

• お～ください = honorific polite imperative (more formal register)
• があります = there is / there will be (announces existence of an event)

Literal Both-arms [object] raise, that-way as-is stay-please.

両 is a prefix meaning 'both.' そのままで means 'as is / in that position.' でいる expresses remaining in a state, making でいてください a request to stay put.

• 両 = both (prefix for paired body parts)
• そのままで = as is, in that position
• でいてください = please remain in that state (でいる + ください)

Literal Honorable-luggage [object] honorable-take-please. Passing-through is-possible.

お取りください is a polished honorific request to collect your things. 通り抜けできます uses できる (can/possible) to grant permission — a natural way staff signal you are cleared to proceed.

• お～ください = honorific polite request (double-honorific with お荷物)
• 通り抜けできます = passing through is possible (permission/ability nuance)