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Japanese Versatility List

Ordering food

Conversation phrases, Stage 4chunk 3 of 23Errands and service

Pick dishes, ask what's good, get water and say you're done ordering.

Mix-ups Ijou desu (that's all) is easy to mix with ii desu (no thanks).

kore kudasai

I'll have this, please

The simplest way to buy or order: point at the thing at a counter, stall or menu.

Add a count: kore futatsu kudasai (two of these).

casual

kore to kore, kudasai.

This and this, please.

これとこれ、ください。

Written これくださいWho you say itHeard 7× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

kore ni shimasu

I'll take this one; I'll have this

Tells staff your choice after looking or comparing; works for food orders too.

X ni suru means decide on X. Casual version: kore ni suru.

casual

jaa, kore ni shimasu.

Okay, I'll go with this one.

じゃあ、これにします。

Written これにしますWho you say itHeard 13× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

osusume wa nan desu ka

what do you recommend?

Ask staff at a restaurant or shop; casual version is osusume wa?

Menus mark recommended dishes as osusume.

casual

sumimasen, osusume wa nan desu ka?

Excuse me, what do you recommend?

すみません、おすすめは何ですか？

Written おすすめは何ですか · おすすめはなんですかWho you say itHeard 3× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

omizu kudasai

water, please

Asks staff for water; it's free, and some places have you pour it yourself (serufu saabisu).

casual

sumimasen, omizu futatsu kudasai.

Excuse me, two waters, please.

すみません、お水二つください。

Written お水ください · おみずくださいWho you say itHeard too rare in film subtitles to count

ijou desu

that's all

Ends your order at a restaurant or counter; staff and speakers also use it to end a talk or report.

Staff may check with ijou de yoroshii desu ka? (will that be all?).

casual

biiru futatsu to edamame, ijou desu.

Two beers and edamame. That's all.

ビール二つと枝豆、以上です。

Written 以上です · いじょうですWho you say it and hear itHeard 186× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles