Japanese Shopping & Restaurant Conversation

You already have enough grammar and vocabulary. Now it is time for real practice. In this article, you will learn key phrases for two situations you will face in Japan: shopping and eating at restaurants.

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1. At the Restaurant (レストラン)

In Japan, ordering can change depending on the place:

• Family Restaurant (Famiresu): Press the call button on the table to get staff.
• Izakaya: Call out "Sumimasen!" clearly to get staff attention.
• Shokudo/Ramen: Many shops use a ticket machine at the entrance before you sit down.

Entering & Sitting

Situation	Phrase	Meaning
Staff asks	何名なんめいさまですか？	How many people?
You answer	二人ふたりです。	Two people.
Staff	こちらへどうぞ。	This way, please.

Reading the Menu (メニューmenyuu)

Learn these labels: restaurant menus become much easier to read.

• おすすめosusume: Chef/shop recommendation
• 期間限定kikangentei: Limited-time item
• 税込zeikomi: Price includes tax
• 税抜zeinuki: Price excludes tax
• 売り切れurikire: Sold out

Ordering

Situation	Phrase	Meaning
Calling staff	すみません！	Excuse me!
Staff	ご注文ちゅうもんはお決きまりですか？	Are you ready to order?
You	これをお願ねがいします。	I'll have this.
You	～をください。	Please give me ～.
Asking	おすすめは何なんですか？	What do you recommend?
Asking	これは何なんですか？	What is this?

Preferences & Allergies

Do not hesitate to ask if you have food restrictions:

• No pork: 豚肉butanikuは入はいっていますか？ (Does this contain pork?)
• Allergy: 卵たまごアレルギーがあります。 (I have an egg allergy.)
• No wasabi: ワサビ抜ぬきにできますか？ (Can I have it without wasabi?)
• Vegetarian: ベジタリアンです。 (I am vegetarian.)

During the Meal

Situation	Phrase	Meaning
Before eating	いただきます。	(I gratefully receive this meal)
Asking for a refill	おかわりをお願ねがいします。	Another serving, please.
Asking for water	お水みずをください。	Water, please.
After eating	ごちそうさまでした。	Thank you for the meal.

Paying

Situation	Phrase	Meaning
Asking for the bill	お会計かいけいをお願ねがいします。	The check, please.
Paying together	一緒いっしょでお願ねがいします。	One bill, please.
Paying separately	別々べつべつでお願ねがいします。	Separate checks, please.
Cashier	～円えんになります。	That will be ～ yen.

Payment Methods & Etiquette

• Genkin (現金げんきん): Cash (still the most common option at small shops).
• Kaado (カード): Credit card.
• Denshi-manei (電子でんしマネー): Electronic money (Suica/Pasmo/PayPay).

Culture tip: Always put cash or your card on the small tray (カルトンkaruton) at the register. Do not hand it directly to the cashier.

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2. Dialogue: At a Ramen Restaurant

店員てんいん (Staff): いらっしゃいませ！何名なんめいさまですか？ (Irasshaimase! Nanmei-sama desu ka?) Welcome! How many people?

You: 一人ひとりです。 (Hitori desu.) One person.

店員てんいん: こちらへどうぞ。ご注文ちゅうもんはお決きまりですか？ (Kochira e douzo. Gochuumon wa okimari desu ka?) This way, please. Are you ready to order?

You: 味噌みそラーメンをお願ねがいします。あと、餃子ぎょうざもください。 (Miso raamen o onegai shimasu. Ato, gyouza mo kudasai.) I'll have miso ramen. And gyoza as well, please.

店員てんいん: かしこまりました。 (Kashikomarimashita.) Certainly.

(After the meal)

You: ごちそうさまでした。お会計かいけいをお願ねがいします。 (Gochisousama deshita. Okaikei o onegai shimasu.) Thank you for the meal. The check, please.

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3. At the Shop (お店みせ)

Key Phrases

Situation	Phrase	Meaning
Staff	いらっしゃいませ！	Welcome!
Asking the price	これはいくらですか？	How much is this?
Asking about size	ほかのサイズはありますか？	Do you have another size?
Asking about color	ほかの色いろはありますか？	Do you have another color?
Buying	これをください。	I'll take this.
Just looking	見みているだけです。	I'm just looking.
Cashier	袋ふくろはいりますか？	Do you need a bag?
You	お願ねがいします / 大丈夫だいじょうぶです。	Yes, please / No, thank you.

Convenience Store Cashier Interaction

Convenience store cashiers in Japan work very quickly and often ask this series of questions:

1. Do you have a point card?
   • Staff: ポイントカードはお持もちですか？ (Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?)
   • Answer: Nai desu (I don't have one) / Motte imasen (I don't have it with me).
2. Age confirmation (when buying alcohol/cigarettes)
   • The screen lights up. Press "20歳以上さいいじょう" (20 or older) on the screen.
3. Heat it up? (for bento/onigiri)
   • Staff: 温あたためますか？ (Atatamemasu ka?)
   • Answer: Hai (Yes) / Iie (No).
4. Utensils?
   • Staff: お箸はし / スプーン / フォーク はお使つかいですか？ (Would you like chopsticks/a spoon/a fork?)
   • Answer: Ohashi onegai shimasu (Chopsticks, please).

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4. Dialogue: At a Convenience Store (Full)

店員てんいん: いらっしゃいませ。ポイントカードはお持もちですか？ (Irasshaimase. Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?) Welcome. Do you have a point card?

You: いいえ、持もっていません。 (Iie, motte imasen.) No, I don't.

店員てんいん: お弁当べんとうは温あたためますか？ (Obentou wa atatamemasu ka?) Would you like the bento heated?

You: はい、お願ねがいします。 (Hai, onegai shimasu.) Yes, please.

店員てんいん: スプーンとフォーク、どちらになさいますか？ (Supuun to fooku, dochira ni nasaimasu ka?) Would you like a spoon or a fork?

You: 箸はしでいいです。 (Hashi de ii desu.) Chopsticks are fine.

店員てんいん: 袋ふくろはいりますか？ (Fukuro wa irimasu ka?) Do you need a bag?

You: 大丈夫だいじょうぶです。シールだけで。 (Daijoubu desu. Shiiru dake de.) No, thank you. Just a sticker is fine.

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5. Practice

Q1: How do you say "I'll have this" at a restaurant?

Answer: これをお願ねがいします。(Kore o onegai shimasu.)

Q2: How do you ask the price?

Answer: これはいくらですか？ (Kore wa ikura desu ka?)

Q3: How do you say "separate checks"?

Answer: 別々べつべつでお願ねがいします。(Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu.)

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6. Quick Situation Map: Choose Phrases by Stage

In real conversation, the biggest problem is often not missing vocabulary. It is choosing the right phrase at the right moment. Use this situation map:

1. Entering a place: focus on greetings and staff responses.
2. Asking for information: focus on clear, short questions.
3. Ordering/buying: focus on confirming the item or menu.
4. Handling extra details: size, color, allergies, payment method.
5. Closing the transaction: bill, receipt, closing phrases.

If you memorize this order, your brain can pull the right phrase faster under pressure.

Restaurant flow in brief

1. Enter: いらっしゃいませ。
2. Seat/confirm party size: 二人です。
3. Order: これをお願いします。
4. Extras: お水をください。
5. Pay: お会計をお願いします。
6. Close: ごちそうさまでした。

Shop/convenience store flow in brief

1. Enter: いらっしゃいませ。
2. Check the item: これはいくらですか？
3. Ask about options: ほかのサイズはありますか？
4. Decide to buy: これをください。
5. Cashier asks about bag/points: 袋はいりますか？ ポイントカードはお持ちですか？
6. Finish: ありがとうございます。

With this structure, you do not need to remember every sentence at once. Master the key phrases for each stage.

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7. Practical Sentence Patterns You Can Reuse

For more flexible speaking, learn patterns, not only fixed lines.

Pattern A: Requesting an item/menu

[Item] を お願いします。

Examples:

1. コーヒーをお願いします。
   (Koohii o onegai shimasu.)
   I'll have coffee.
2. このシャツをお願いします。
   (Kono shatsu o onegai shimasu.)
   I'll take this shirt.

Pattern B: Asking the price

[Item] は いくらですか。

Examples:

1. これはいくらですか。
   (Kore wa ikura desu ka.)
   How much is this?
2. このセットはいくらですか。
   (Kono setto wa ikura desu ka.)
   How much is this set?

Pattern C: Asking about availability

ほかの [category] は ありますか。

Examples:

1. ほかのサイズはありますか。
   (Hoka no saizu wa arimasu ka.)
   Do you have another size?
2. ほかの色はありますか。
   (Hoka no iro wa arimasu ka.)
   Do you have another color?

Pattern D: Soft refusal

大丈夫です。

This phrase is very useful because it is neutral and polite in many contexts, for example refusing a plastic bag, a receipt, or extra utensils.

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8. Extra Dialogues: Common Real Situations

Dialogue A: Busy restaurant, you are not ready yet

店員: ご注文はお決まりですか？
(Gochuumon wa okimari desu ka?)
Are you ready to order?

You: すみません、もう少し待ってください。
(Sumimasen, mou sukoshi matte kudasai.)
Sorry, please wait a little longer.

店員: かしこまりました。
(Kashikomarimashita.)
Certainly.

You: じゃあ、唐揚げ定食をお願いします。
(Jaa, karaage teishoku o onegai shimasu.)
Then I'll have the fried chicken set.

Dialogue B: Clothes shopping and checking size

You: すみません、このシャツのMサイズはありますか？
(Sumimasen, kono shatsu no M saizu wa arimasu ka?)
Excuse me, do you have this shirt in size M?

店員: はい、ございます。ご試着なさいますか？
(Hai, gozaimasu. Goshichaku nasaimasu ka?)
Yes, we do. Would you like to try it on?

You: はい、お願いします。
(Hai, onegai shimasu.)
Yes, please.

店員: 試着室はこちらです。
(Shichakushitsu wa kochira desu.)
The fitting room is this way.

Dialogues like these give you patterns you can use right away while traveling, studying, or living in Japan.

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9. Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mistake 1: Too much body language, too few words

Many learners point at a menu or item without a clear phrase. The fix: get used to at least one full sentence, for example これをお願いします。

Mistake 2: Not separating polite tone from casual tone

In service settings, polite forms are safer. Avoid overly casual lines like これちょうだい when you are not close with the person.

Mistake 3: Forgetting cultural closing phrases

At Japanese restaurants, いただきます before the meal and ごちそうさまでした after the meal leave a very good impression.

Mistake 4: Freezing when the cashier asks quickly

Safe strategy:

1. ask them to repeat slowly: もう一度お願いします。
2. answer briefly first: はい / いいえ / 大丈夫です。
3. clarify details only if needed.

Mistake 5: Not preparing a payment method

Before you join the checkout line, check whether the place takes cards or electronic money. Key phrase: カードは使えますか？

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10. Mini JLPT Practice (10 Questions) + Short Key

Choose the best phrase.

1. You want to ask the price of an item:
   a) これはいくらですか
   b) これをお願いします
   c) 見ているだけです
2. You want to say "I'm just looking":
   a) これをください
   b) 見ているだけです
   c) お会計をお願いします
3. The cashier asks about a plastic bag, and you do not need one:
   a) 大丈夫です
   b) お願いします
   c) いくらですか
4. You want separate checks:
   a) 一緒でお願いします
   b) 別々でお願いします
   c) これをお願いします
5. Staff asks how many people; answer two people:
   a) 一人です
   b) 二人です
   c) 三人です
6. You want the bill:
   a) お会計をお願いします
   b) おすすめは何ですか
   c) ご注文はお決まりですか
7. You want to ask for a recommendation:
   a) これは何ですか
   b) おすすめは何ですか
   c) いくらですか
8. You want to order the item in your hand:
   a) これをお願いします
   b) 見ているだけです
   c) 大丈夫です
9. You need another size:
   a) ほかの色はありますか
   b) ほかのサイズはありますか
   c) 温めますか
10. Phrase after finishing a meal:
    a) いただきます
    b) ごちそうさまでした
    c) すみません

Key:

1. a
2. b
3. a
4. b
5. b
6. a
7. b
8. a
9. b
10. b

If your score is below 8/10, review the pattern and dialogue sections before moving on to production practice.

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11. Gradual Production Practice (7 Days)

The goal of this practice is automatic reactions at restaurants and shops.

Day 1-2

Focus on 10 core phrases:

1. これをお願いします
2. これはいくらですか
3. ほかのサイズはありますか
4. ほかの色はありますか
5. 見ているだけです
6. お会計をお願いします
7. 別々でお願いします
8. 一緒でお願いします
9. 大丈夫です
10. ごちそうさまでした

Day 3-4

Create 10 mini scenarios (5 restaurant, 5 shop) and answer spontaneously with the best phrase.

Day 5-6

Do 2-minute roleplays:

1. one roleplay as a restaurant customer,
2. one roleplay as a convenience store shopper.

Record your voice, check pronunciation, and repeat.

Day 7

Full simulation with no notes:

1. enter a restaurant,
2. order from the menu,
3. ask for extras,
4. pay,
5. move to a shop and buy one item.

If you can complete this flow smoothly, the material in this article is ready for real use.

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12. 5-Second Checklist Before You Speak

When you panic, use this short checklist:

1. My situation now: restaurant or shop?
2. Interaction stage: ask, order, or pay?
3. Do I need an information phrase or a transaction phrase?
4. Is my tone already polite?
5. Is there a closing phrase I should use?

This checklist keeps conversation tidy and reduces freeze in busy places.

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13. Production Simulation: From Phrases to Full Conversation

This final section helps you combine all parts of the article into spontaneous responses.

Simulation A: Restaurant from start to finish

Target flow:

1. enter and answer party size,
2. order a main dish and a drink,
3. ask for extras (water or utensils),
4. ask for the bill,
5. close with the right cultural phrase.

Do this roleplay at least three times. First pass focuses on order, second on pronunciation, third on fluency.

Simulation B: Quick shopping at a convenience store

Target flow:

1. choose an item,
2. answer the point card question,
3. answer the bag question,
4. confirm payment,
5. close the transaction.

Use short, efficient answers such as はい, いいえ, 大丈夫です. Add one full sentence only if needed. This mirrors the fast pace of Japanese cashiers.

Ready-to-use indicators

You are ready to use this material in real situations if:

1. you can run both simulations without notes,
2. you no longer mix up payment phrases (一緒 vs 別々),
3. you can ask about price/size/color with the correct patterns,
4. you keep a polite tone even when the place is crowded.

Extra quick practice: pick one Japanese restaurant or convenience store video. Pause every 10 seconds and answer as if you were the customer. This trains real-time responses and makes phrase reflexes more natural.

If one indicator is still missing, repeat the 7-day production practice for another round. Consistency matters more than speed.

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New Vocabulary

Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji	Meaning	Type
注文ちゅうもん	ちゅうもん	Chuumon	Order	Noun
会計かいけい	かいけい	Kaikei	Bill / check	Noun
別々べつべつ	べつべつ	Betsubetsu	Separate	Na-adjective
店員てんいん	てんいん	Ten'in	Store staff	Noun
袋ふくろ	ふくろ	Fukuro	Bag	Noun
箸はし	はし	Hashi	Chopsticks	Noun
温あたためる	あたためる	Atatameru	To heat / warm up	Ichidan verb
色いろ	いろ	Iro	Color	Noun

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Conclusion

• At restaurants: いらっしゃいませ, ご注文ちゅうもんは?, これをお願ねがいします, お会計かいけいをお願ねがいします
• At shops: いくらですか, ほかのサイズ/色いろは?, 見みているだけです
• いただきます/ごちそうさまでした — always use them!
• 別々べつべつ vs 一緒いっしょ — separate checks vs one bill

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