Read on to find out about JABA and it’s free Japanese trial lesson for GaijinPot readers.
Ok, you’re Japanese is Jozu now. And you know how to find your way around. Maybe you’re even quite fluent … but why do you still let your friends, wife, GF do the ordering for you in a restaurant? Because, in many cases even though there are some lovely pictures of the food you’re about to consume, the menu itself is written in a language you don’t fully understand or you’re just too lazy or chicken to order for yourself?
No worries, this lesson is “THE WAY TO THE FOOD” and is packed with useful hints on how to get those lovely pictures of food from the menu to the real deal conjuring in the pit of your growling belly.
Step one: ENTER the place of your choice and get seated
|
What they say |
It sounds like |
and means … |
Your reaction |
Meaning and comments |
|
いらっしゃいませ |
irasshaimase |
Welcome! |
None needed |
Smile and bob you head |
|
何名様ですか |
nan-mei sama desu ka? |
How many people are there in your group? |
Use your fingers |
The question is asked even when you enter alone – maybe there is somebody coming afterwards? If yes, include them. |
|
禁煙席か喫煙席か、どちらの方がよろしいですか |
kin-en seki ka kitsu-en seki ka, dochira no houga yoroshii desu ka. |
Do you prefer smoking or non smoking seats? |
Smoking:kitsu-en No-oo!: kin-en Either is fine: dochira-demo ii |
After that you can ignore all the talk and just let them to guide you to the seats – follow the gestures. |
Step two: GET THE FOOD. The menu is on the table, pick it up, open it, glare at it, and ponder a bit….
|
You say |
pronunciation |
it would mean |
reaction you get, it’s meaning and comments |
|
すみません |
sumimasen! |
Excuse me! |
A waiter or waitress running to your table (maybe not exactly running, but you get the point right?) |
|
英語のメニューはありますか |
eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka? |
Do you have An English menu? |
1. If you’re lucky – an English menu. 2. If you’re not lucky – something long in Japanese. Nod, and continue with any of the following phrases ↙ |
|
お薦めはありますか |
o-susume wa arimasu ka? |
What do you recommend? (Literally “Do you have a recommendation”?) |
A flowing explanation with sweet voice and pointing on the menu. Usually there is just one “o-sususme” – a seasonal dish. You can order it with the next phrase ↙ – or modify this question by replacing “o-susume” with any item you’d like. |
|
これをください |
kore o kudasai! |
This one, please! |
With a menu with photos – a confirmation (to which just answer “hai” (yes)) and the food 🙂 |
|
ビールをください |
biiru o kudasai! |
A beer, please! |
A beer. (without photos you can modify this phrase by replacing “beer” with any item they may have.) |
|
(となりの方と)同じものをください |
(tonari no kata to) onaji mono o kudasai |
The same thing (that the person at the next table is eating), please! |
A few phrases to confirm you mean what you say – again, just say “hai” (“yes”) and let them to bring it. |
BUT! I’m PICKY! I hate garlic! And I’m allergic to milk…
|
You want to … |
say |
pronounce it |
reaction you get, it’s meaning and comments |
|
What’s that? |
これは何ですか |
kore wa nan desu ka? |
an ardent explanation… |
|
I have an allergy to 。。。！ |
。。。のアレルギーです |
。。。no arerugi desu! |
a waiter waiting for you to continue with any of the following phrases ↙ |
|
Is there any 。。。 in it? |
。。。は 入っていますか？ |
。。。wa haitte imasu ka? |
“hai” and nodding for “yes”; “iie” and hand waiving for “no”. |
|
Can I have it without 。。。 |
。。。 なし、 お願いします。 |
。。。nashi, o-negai-shimasu. |
a confirmation they understood you correctly (answer “hai”). Don’t forget to stress “nashi” when asking. |
Jaba – Free Trial Japanese Lesson
This is the latest in a series of posts run by the team at Jaba, a new Japanese language program by the folks at Gaba – Japan’s leading one to one English-language provider. If you are planning on staying in Japan for any length of time, even if it is only a few months, learning Japanese is not only key to helping you get more out of your time, but also a fun and social thing you can do.
Jaba has designed its classes for native English speakers and has spent the last couple of years developing its methods internally. Classes are conversation based, either in a group or between yourself and teacher.
Jaba is currently offering free trial classes to all those who are interested. Complete the form below and they’ll get back to you with the details.
OFFER NOW CLOSED
