Café & Drinks

1. アイスコーヒーを一つください

   a-i-su kō-hī wo hi-to-tsu ku-da-sa-i

   One iced coffee, please

   Usage

   Basic phrase for ordering an iced coffee at a cafe or coffee shop

   Grammar Note

   "Hitotsu kudasai" is the simplest order phrase. Use "futatsu" for 2, "mittsu" for 3

2. 砂糖なしでお願いします

   sa-tō na-shi de o-ne-ga-i shi-ma-su

   No sugar, please

   Usage

   Used when ordering a drink to request no sugar

   Grammar Note

   "~nashi de" means "without ~". Swap with "miruku nashi de" (no milk) or "kōri nashi de" (no ice)

3. お茶を一杯いただけますか？

   o-cha wo ip-pai i-ta-da-ke-ma-su ka?

   Could I have a cup of tea?

   Usage

   Politely requests a cup of tea at a restaurant or hotel

   Grammar Note

   "Itadaku" is humble for "morau" (receive). "Ippai" is the counter for a cup or glass of liquid

4. このビールは生ですか？

   ko-no bī-ru wa na-ma de-su ka?

   Is this beer draft / on tap?

   Usage

   Used at izakayas or bars to ask if a beer is draft (on tap)

   Grammar Note

   "Nama bīru" (draft beer) is a staple at Japanese izakayas. It's distinguished from "can bīru" (canned) or "bin bīru" (bottled)

5. 水をください

   mi-zu wo ku-da-sa-i

   Water, please

   Usage

   The simplest way to request water at a restaurant or food establishment

   Grammar Note

   Water is often served free at Japanese restaurants. "Ohiya" is another term specifically for cold water

6. おすすめのカクテルはありますか？

   o-su-su-me no ka-ku-te-ru wa a-ri-ma-su ka?

   Do you have any recommended cocktails?

   Usage

   Used to ask bar or restaurant staff for their cocktail recommendations

   Grammar Note

   "Osusume" is the colloquial form of "recommendation". Works broadly for food and menu inquiries too

7. 甘口と辛口どちらがありますか？

   a-ma-ku-chi to ka-ra-ku-chi do-chi-ra ga a-ri-ma-su ka?

   Do you have sweet or dry options?

   Usage

   Used when selecting sake or wine to ask about sweet vs dry options

   Grammar Note

   "Dochira" is used for two choices; "dore" for three or more. In sake, "amakuchi" is sweet and "karakuchi" is dry

8. ノンアルコールの飲み物はありますか？

   non-a-ru-kō-ru no no-mi-mo-no wa a-ri-ma-su ka?

   Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?

   Usage

   Used by non-drinkers or designated drivers to look for non-alcoholic beverage options

   Grammar Note

   "Non-arukooru" is Japan-English for non-alcoholic. "Sofuto dorinku" (soft drink) is also used interchangeably

9. もう一杯お願いします

   mō ip-pai o-ne-ga-i shi-ma-su

   One more drink, please

   Usage

   Standard phrase for ordering a refill or another round of drinks

   Grammar Note

   "Mō ippai" is the standard phrase for a refill. "Mō ichido" means "one more time" (for other contexts)

10. コーヒーはどのサイズがありますか？

    kō-hī wa do-no sa-i-zu ga a-ri-ma-su ka?

    What sizes of coffee do you have?

    Usage

    Used at a cafe to ask what size options are available for coffee

    Grammar Note

    "Dono ~ga arimasu ka" is versatile for checking options. Swap "saizu" with "furēbā" (flavor) or "shurui" (type)

11. 氷なし

    kō-ri na-shi

    No ice

    Usage

    Shows that you want your drink without ice

12. ミネラルウォーター

    mi-ne-ra-ru-wō-tā

    Mineral water (bottled)

    Usage

    Bottled water specifically — asking for plain "mizu" usually gets you the free table water

13. お湯

    o-yu

    Hot water

    Usage

    Boiled water — use it to ask for hot water for baby formula or instant noodles

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