Day 7: What do you want?

Script

Waiter: Irasshaimase! Go-chuumon wa okimari desu ka?
いらっしゃいませ！ご注文はお決まりですか。

Hana: Sumimasen, menyuu o misete kudasai.
すみません、メニューを見せてください。

Waiter: Hai, douzo.
はい、どうぞ。

Hana: Arigatou gozaimasu. Eto... ramen to gyoza o onegaishimasu.
ありがとうございます。えと...ラーメンと餃子をお願いします。

Waiter: Kashikomarimashita. Nomimono wa ikaga desu ka?
かしこまりました。飲み物はいかがですか。

Hana: Ocha o onegaishimasu.
お茶をお願いします。

Waiter: Wakarimashita. Shoushou omachi kudasai.
わかりました。少々お待ちください。

Translation

Waiter: Welcome! Have you decided on your order?

Hana: Excuse me, could you show me the menu, please?

Waiter: Yes, here you are.

Hana: Thank you very much. Let's see... I'd like ramen and gyoza, please.

Waiter: Certainly. Would you like something to drink?

Hana: I'd like tea, please.

Waiter: Understood. Please wait a moment.

Vocabulary

• irasshaimase いらっしゃいませ - welcome (used by staff in shops/restaurants)
• go-chuumon ご注文 - order (polite)
• okimari お決まり - decided
• menyuu メニュー - menu
• misete kudasai 見せてください - please show me
• douzo どうぞ - here you are
• eto えと - um, let's see
• ramen ラーメン - ramen noodles
• gyoza 餃子 - dumplings
• onegaishimasu お願いします - please (when making a request)
• kashikomarimashita かしこまりました - certainly (polite)
• nomimono 飲み物 - drink
• ikaga いかが - how about (polite)
• ocha お茶 - tea
• wakarimashita わかりました - understood
• shoushou 少々 - a moment
• omachi kudasai お待ちください - please wait

Grammar Notes

1. Making Polite Requests

To make a polite request in Japanese, use the te-form of the verb followed by kudasai ください.

Pattern: [Verb (te-form)] + kudasai

Examples:

• Misete kudasai 見せてください (Please show me)
• Matte kudasai 待ってください (Please wait)

2. Ordering Items

When ordering items in Japanese, use the pattern:

[Item] + o + onegaishimasu をお願いします

Example: Ramen o onegaishimasu ラーメンをお願いします (I'd like ramen, please)

3. Particle o を

The particle o を is used to mark the direct object of a verb. In the context of ordering, it marks the item being ordered.

Example: Ocha o onegaishimasu お茶をお願いします (I'd like tea, please)

4. Asking for Preferences (Polite Form)

To ask about someone's preference politely, use the pattern:

[Item/Option] + wa ikaga desu ka はいかがですか

Example: Nomimono wa ikaga desu ka? 飲み物はいかがですか。(Would you like something to drink?)

5. Connecting Nouns with to と

When listing two or more items, use the particle to と between them.

Example: Ramen to gyoza o onegaishimasu ラーメンと餃子をお願いします (I'd like ramen and gyoza, please)

6. Polite Expressions in Service Situations

• Irasshaimase いらっしゃいませ: A polite welcome used by staff in shops and restaurants.
• Kashikomarimashita かしこまりました: A very polite way of saying "Certainly" or "Understood" used by service staff.

Remember to practice these phrases to become more comfortable with ordering in Japanese restaurants!