Shopping

11 phrases · Japanese with romanization, English and audio

  1. いくらですか

    i-ku-ra de-su ka

    How much is it?

    Usage

    The most basic phrase for asking the price of an item

    Grammar Note

    "Ikura" is the question word for price. Add "kore wa" before to clarify "how much is this one?"

  2. 試着してもいいですか

    shi-chaku shi-te mo ī de-su ka

    May I try this on?

    Usage

    Asking permission to try on clothing at an apparel shop

    Grammar Note

    "〜shite mo ii desu ka" is the standard permission request. "Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka" asks where the fitting room is

  3. もう少し安くなりますか

    mō su-ko-shi ya-su-ku na-ri-ma-su ka

    Could you make it a little cheaper?

    Usage

    Trying to negotiate a lower price at a market or small shop

    Grammar Note

    "〜ku naru" describes a change in adjective state. Fixed-price shops rarely negotiate, so this suits markets best

  4. クレジットカードで払えますか

    ku-re-ji-tto kā-do de ha-ra-e-ma-su ka

    Can I pay by credit card?

    Usage

    Checking whether a shop accepts credit card payment

    Grammar Note

    "Harau" (pay) → potential "haraeru" → polite question. If told "genkin nomi", cash only is required

  5. 袋は要りません

    fu-ku-ro wa i-ri-ma-sen

    I don't need a bag

    Usage

    Telling the cashier you do not need a shopping bag (eco-friendly)

    Grammar Note

    Since 2020 plastic bags are charged in Japan. Saying "irimasen" smoothly declines the paid bag offer

  6. これはMサイズですか

    ko-re wa e-mu sa-i-zu de-su ka

    Is this a medium size?

    Usage

    Confirming the size when purchasing clothing

    Grammar Note

    S, M, L sizes are used as-is in katakana. Also useful: "motto ōkii saizu wa arimasu ka" (do you have a larger size?)

  7. 免税手続きはできますか

    men-ze-i te-tsu-zu-ki wa de-ki-ma-su ka

    Can I do the tax-free procedure?

    Usage

    Requesting the tax-refund procedure available to foreign tourists in Japan

    Grammar Note

    Foreign tourists in Japan can receive a 10% consumption tax refund on purchases over ¥5,000. Passport required

  8. ほかの色はありますか

    ho-ka no i-ro wa a-ri-ma-su ka

    Do you have other colors?

    Usage

    Asking if a product comes in other colors

    Grammar Note

    Replace "iro" (color) with "saizu" (size) or "dezain" (design) to ask about other variants

  9. 領収書をください

    ryō-shū-sho o ku-da-sa-i

    Please give me a receipt

    Usage

    Requesting a formal receipt, especially for expense reporting

    Grammar Note

    "Ryōshūsho" is a formal handwritten/stamped receipt; "reshīto" is a printed register receipt. Expenses usually need the former

  10. 返品できますか

    hen-pin de-ki-ma-su ka

    Can I return this?

    Usage

    Asking whether a purchased item can be returned or exchanged

    Grammar Note

    "Dekiru" (can do) → polite "dekimasu" → question "dekimasu ka". Japanese shops often have strict return policies

  11. レシートはいらないです

    re-shī-to wa i-ra-na-i de-su

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining the register slip when the cashier asks whether you want it

    Grammar Note

    "Iranai" is the negative of "iru" (to need); adding "desu" makes it polite. The stiffer "irimasen" means the same, as in "fukuro wa irimasen" (I don't need a bag)

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