24th Jun 2007
Whether you’re holidaying in Japan or working in Japan, you’ll need to know the phrases they use in shops and restaurants. Either you need to know how to say them, or you need to understand what they mean! In this entry I’m going to introduce you to the most common phrases used in stores and restaurants which I’ve had to learn for my working holiday.
“Irasshaimase” 「いらっしゃいませ」
This welcome is what’s shouted at any place of business in Japan. Upon entering any store, restaurant, brothel or bar, the staff will immediately scare the crap out of you by shouting this. You get two types of staff using this; either the conscientious staff who keep an eye on the door and shout it, or the type who just shout it randomly at 45-second intervals. The latter do exist; I don’t know if they do it because they can’t be bothered to watch the door or if they’re trying to make the store look busy to passerbys/customers.
“Okaikei wa __en ni narimasu” 「お会計は＿円になります」
Used by workers when adding up the bill, this phrase means “your bill comes to __ yen”. Notice the use of ni narimasu instead of desu at the end. Ni narimasu is more formal and literally means “becomes”. The phrase “Your bill becomes 3500 yen” really means “Gosh, your bill turns out to be 3500 yen. I had no idea! All I am is a humble shop assistant who cannot predict bills and such things. Please don’t hurt me!” Basically, by using ni narimasu you’re expressing the idea that you’re just a humble shop assistant with little idea of what the bill might come to.
“__en wo azukari itashimasu” 「＿円を預かりいたします」
When shop assistants receive a customer’s money, they say “I’m receiving 5000 yen”. I don’t know why. I suppose it’s more …
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