Conversation phrases: Errands and service

105 phrases for shops, restaurants and service: there for when you need them, not for chatting.

105 phrases in 23 chunks, learned alongside Errands and service of the main list. Start with Asking and declining politely and use Next at the bottom of each page.

1. 1Asking and declining politelyErrands and serviceii desu ka is it okay?; may I?kekkou desu no, thank you; that's fineikaga desu ka would you like some?; how about it?; how is it?onegai dekimasu ka could you do that for me?; could I ask for...?yoroshii desu ka would that be all right?; may I?
2. 2Eating out with friendsErrands and servicetoriaezu biiru beer to startokawari seconds; a refillokaikei onegai shimasu the bill, pleasebetsubetsu de onegai shimasu separate bills, pleasechuumon ii desu ka can we order?
3. 3Ordering foodErrands and servicekore kudasai I'll have this, pleasekore ni shimasu I'll take this one; I'll have thisosusume wa nan desu ka what do you recommend?omizu kudasai water, pleaseijou desu that's all
4. 4Table or takeawayErrands and servicefutari desu two people; a table for twotennai de to eat in, please; for heremochikaeri de to take away, pleaseoomori de a large portion, please
5. 5Paying at the tillErrands and serviceikura desu ka how much is it?kaado tsukaemasu ka can I pay by card?kaado de onegai shimasu by card, pleasezeikomi desu ka does that include tax?ryoushuusho onegai shimasu a receipt, please (official one)
6. 6Finding your wayErrands and servicetoire wa doko desu ka where's the toilet?dou ikeba ii desu ka how do I get there?michi ni mayotta I'm lost; I got lostkoko doko? where am I?; where is this?koko de ii desu here is fineorimasu I'm getting off (on a crowded train or bus)
7. 7EmergenciesErrands and servicejishin da it's an earthquake!; earthquake!koko ga itai it hurts heretasukete help!kyuukyuusha o yonde call an ambulance
8. 8Just browsingErrands and servicemiteru dake desu I'm just lookingchotto kangaemasu I'll think about itato de mata kimasu I'll come back latershichaku shite mo ii desu ka can I try this on?
9. 9Bags and wrappingErrands and servicefukuro wa daijoubu desu I don't need a bagfukuro onegai shimasu a bag, pleasereshiito wa daijoubu desu I don't need the receiptkono mama de ii desu it's fine as it ispurezento you desu it's a gift
10. 10Around the officeErrands and serviceotsukaresama desu hello; thanks for your hard work (between coworkers)osaki ni shitsurei shimasu I'll be leaving now, before youtadaima modorimashita I'm back (at work)gokurousama desu thanks for your trouble (to workers, juniors)gokurousan thanks for your trouble; good job
11. 11Staff making you waitErrands and servicekashikomarimashita certainly; understoodshoushou omachi kudasai one moment, pleaseomatase shimashita sorry to keep you waiting; here you aretadaima ukagaimasu I'll be right with you; coming right away
12. 12Staff greetingsErrands and serviceirasshaimase welcome (in shops)goyukkuri douzo enjoy your meal; enjoy your stay; take your timemata okoshi kudasai please come againomachi shite orimashita we've been expecting you; welcomeokoshi coming; visit (honorific)
13. 13Getting seatedErrands and servicenanmeisama desu ka how many people?; how many in your party?kochira e douzo this way, pleaseosuki na seki e douzo sit anywhere you likegoyoyaku wa sarete imasu ka do you have a reservation?
14. 14Staff taking your orderErrands and servicegochuumon wa okimari desu ka are you ready to order?onomimono wa ikaga nasaimasu ka what would you like to drink?; would you like a drink?gochuumon wa ijou de yoroshii desu ka will that be all?; is that everything?osage shite mo yoroshii desu ka may I take your plate?; may I clear this?gochuumon your order
15. 15Convenience store questionsErrands and serviceatatamemasu ka shall I heat it up?fukuro wa otsuke shimasu ka do you need a bag?ohashi wa otsuke shimasu ka do you need chopsticks?pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka do you have a points card?shiiru de ii desu ka is a sticker okay? (instead of a bag)
16. 16Staff taking paymentErrands and serviceoshiharai wa dou saremasu ka how would you like to pay?oazukari shimasu out of (the amount you hand over); I'll take that for youokaeshi desu here's your changegoissho de yoroshii desu ka all on one bill?; all together?ikkatsu de yoroshii desu ka in one payment? (paying by card)
17. 17At the counterErrands and servicetennai de omeshiagari desu ka for here?; are you eating in?omochikaeri desu ka to go?; takeaway?tsugi no kata douzo next, pleasekochira no reji e douzo this register, please; I can help you over here
18. 18Shop staff approachingErrands and servicenanika osagashi desu ka are you looking for something?; can I help you find anything?goran kudasai please take a looknanika goyou desu ka can I help you?; what do you need?maido thanks as always; hi there (shopkeeper's greeting)
19. 19Formal replies at workErrands and serviceshouchi shimashita understood; certainly, will dokakunin shimasu I'll checkkentou shimasu I'll think it over; we'll consider itossharu toori desu you're quite right; exactly as you sayoyaku ni tateru be of help (humble)
20. 20Asking favours formallyErrands and serviceonegai itashimasu please (very polite)oisogashii tokoro sumimasen sorry to bother you when you're busyotesuu desu ga sorry to trouble you, but...osoreirimasu thank you; excuse me (very polite)
21. 21Formal apologiesErrands and servicemoushiwake arimasen I'm very sorry (formal)gomeiwaku o okake shimashita sorry for the trouble I causedmoushiwake gozaimasen we're deeply sorry (very formal)
22. 22Business phone callsErrands and serviceitsumo arigatou gozaimasu thanks as alwaysosewa ni natte orimasu thanks for your continued support (business greeting)odenwa arigatou gozaimasu thank you for callingdochirasama desu ka who is this?; may I ask who's calling?orikaeshi odenwa shimasu I'll call you back; we'll return your call
23. 23At the clinic deskErrands and servicekyou wa dou saremashita ka what brings you in today?; what seems to be the problem?onamae o ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka may I have your name?hokenshou o onegai shimasu your health insurance card, pleaseokake kudasai please have a seat