FD 01Food line · stop 1 of 4
20 Japanese phrases that make eating out easier
Simple, polite phrases for restaurants, shops and trains, with how to say them and when you will hear them.
You can get by in Japan with no Japanese at all, but a few words make every meal smoother. Staff will be pleased you tried.
Restaurants
| English | Say | When |
|---|---|---|
| Excuse me | sumimasen | To get attention or to apologise |
| Two people, please | futari desu | At the door (hitori = 1, sannin = 3, yonin = 4) |
| This one, please | kore o kudasai | Pointing at a menu |
| Do you have an English menu? | eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka | When seated |
| Water, please | omizu o kudasai | Water is usually free |
| The bill, please | okaikei onegaishimasu | At the end of the meal |
| Can I pay by card? | kado de ii desu ka | Before ordering at small places |
| Thank you for the meal | gochisosama deshita | As you leave |
Allergies and diets
| English | Say |
|---|---|
| I have an allergy | arerugi ga arimasu |
| No pork, please | butaniku nashi de onegaishimasu |
| No meat or fish | niku to sakana nashi de |
| Does this have ... in it? | ... wa haitte imasu ka |
For serious allergiesCarry a printed card in Japanese that lists what you cannot eat. Dashi stock (made from fish) is in many dishes that look vegetarian.
Shops and trains
| English | Say |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | kore wa ikura desu ka |
| Tax-free, please | menzei onegaishimasu |
| No bag, thanks | fukuro wa daijobu desu |
| Where is ...? | ... wa doko desu ka |
| Toilet | toire |
| Does this train go to ...? | kono densha wa ... ni ikimasu ka |
What you will hear
- Irasshaimase: "welcome", shouted as you enter. No reply needed.
- Nanmei sama desu ka: "how many people?"
- Atatamemasu ka: "shall I heat it up?" at a convenience store.
- Fukuro wa irimasu ka: "do you need a bag?"
