- Ask the price: いくらですか. Buy it: これにします or これをください.
- Try on: しちゃくしてもいいですか.
- Staff greet you with いらっしゃいませ. You don’t need to reply.
- Pay by card: カードでおねがいします.
What shop staff say
- いらっしゃいませirasshaimaseWelcome!A nod or smile is a fine response.
- なにかおさがしですかnanika osagashi desu kaAre you looking for something?
- ポイントカードはおもちですかpointo kādo wa omochi desu kaDo you have a points card?Answer: いいえ、だいじょうぶです.
- ふくろはごりようですかfukuro wa goriyō desu kaWould you like a bag?Plastic bags usually cost a few yen.
- おしはらいはどうされますかoshiharai wa dō saremasu kaHow would you like to pay?
- ありがとうございましたarigatō gozaimashitaThank you (for your purchase).
Asking about products
- これはいくらですかkore wa ikura desu kaHow much is this?
- みているだけですmite iru dake desuI’m just looking.
- ほかのいろはありますかhoka no iro wa arimasu kaDo you have other colours?
- エムサイズはありますかemu saizu wa arimasu kaDo you have a medium?
- もっとおおきいのはありますかmotto ōkii no wa arimasu kaDo you have a bigger one?
- しちゃくしてもいいですかshichaku shite mo ii desu kaMay I try it on?
Deciding and paying
- これにしますkore ni shimasuI’ll take this one.
- ちょっとかんがえますchotto kangaemasuI’ll think about it.Polite way to leave without buying.
- カードでおねがいしますkādo de onegai shimasuBy card, please.
- げんきんでおねがいしますgenkin de onegai shimasuIn cash, please.
- レシートをくださいreshīto o kudasaiA receipt, please.
- プレゼントようにつつんでもらえますかpurezento yō ni tsutsunde moraemasu kaCould you gift-wrap it?
Understanding prices
Prices are read with えん (yen): せんごひゃくえん = ¥1,500. Big numbers group by 10,000 (まん): ¥20,000 is にまんえん. Our guide to Japanese numbers explains the system.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ぜいこみ | tax included |
| ぜいぬき | tax not included |
| わりびき | discount |
| セール | sale |
| はんがく | half price |
Where to shop
| Japanese | Reading | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| コンビニ | konbini | convenience store, open 24/7 |
| スーパー | sūpā | supermarket |
| デパート | depāto | department store (food halls in the basement: デパちか) |
| ドラッグストア | doraggu sutoa | drugstore, cosmetics, snacks |
| ひゃくえんショップ | hyaku-en shoppu | 100-yen shop |
| しょうてんがい | shōtengai | covered shopping street |
Returns and problems
- へんぴんできますかhenpin dekimasu kaCan I return this?
- サイズがあいませんでしたsaizu ga aimasen deshitaThe size didn’t fit.
- こうかんしてもらえますかkōkan shite moraemasu kaCould I exchange it?
- レシートはありますreshīto wa arimasuI have the receipt.
Clothes and shoe sizes
Japanese clothing sizes tend to run smaller than Western sizes, and shoes are measured in centimetres: a European size 40 is roughly にじゅうごセンチ (25 cm). Ask もうすこしおおきいサイズはありますか (do you have a slightly bigger size?). More clothing words in clothes in Japanese.
You want to buy this item:
ぜいこみ means:
“May I try it on?”
Frequently asked questions
How do you ask how much something costs in Japanese?
Say これはいくらですか (kore wa ikura desu ka), 'how much is this?'.
What does irasshaimase mean?
いらっしゃいませ means 'welcome' and is said by staff when customers enter. You don't need to reply; a nod is enough.
How do you say I'll take it in Japanese?
Say これにします (kore ni shimasu) or これをください (kore o kudasai).
How do you ask to return something in Japanese?
Ask 返品できますか (henpin dekimasu ka), 'can I return this?', and show your receipt (レシート).