Essentials きほん · Stop E02
これをください
“This one, please”: ordering by pointing in Japanese
Tsukiji's food stalls are a feast for the eyes. You can't read the labels yet, but you can point! Point at what you want, ask what something is, and order it.
Phrases
これをください
kore o kudasai
This one, please.
Point and say it. Kore means 'this', something close to you.
これは何ですか？
これはなんですか？
kore wa nan desu ka?
What's this?
Point at a mystery snack or a menu photo and ask. Kore means 'this', something right by you.
あれは何ですか？
あれはなんですか？
are wa nan desu ka?
What's that over there?
For things out of reach, like a menu on the wall or a dish at the far end of the counter.
これでお願いします
これでおねがいします
kore de onegaishimasu
I'll go with this one, please.
Use it to choose between options, or when you put down your card or cash to pay.
What you’ll hear
Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.
こちらですか？
kochira desu ka?
This one?
The clerk points at an item to check which one you mean.
はい、そうです
hai, sou desu
Yes, that's right.
以上でよろしいですか？
ijou de yoroshii desu ka?
Will that be all?
Asked at the counter before the clerk rings up your order.
はい、お願いします
hai, onegaishimasu
Yes, please.
Culture tip
Point at Things, Not People
Pointing at items, menus or plastic food samples while saying kore is totally normal. Pointing a finger at a person feels rude, though. To indicate someone, use an open hand, palm up.
“Pointing at a menu item when you order is rude in Japan.”
Pointing at things is fine and very common. Just avoid pointing your finger at people.
Practice scene
Snack Hunt at Tsukiji
A busy food stall in Tsukiji Outer Market. Snacks line the counter, and every label is in Japanese.
Mrs. Ono · Food stall owner
-
Your turn: A tray of golden-yellow squares sits right in front of you. Point and ask what they are.
これは何ですか？
kore wa nan desu ka?
What's this?
-
卵焼きです。甘くておいしいですよ。
tamagoyaki desu. amakute oishii desu yo.
It's tamagoyaki, a rolled omelet. Sweet and tasty!
-
Your turn: Something pink and white sits at the far end of the counter. Ask about that one too.
あれは何ですか？
are wa nan desu ka?
What's that over there?
-
かまぼこです。お魚でできていますよ。
kamaboko desu. osakana de dekite imasu yo.
It's kamaboko. It's made from fish.
-
Your turn: You'd rather have the sweet omelet. Point at the tray in front of you and ask for it.
これをください
kore o kudasai
This one, please.
-
大きいのと小さいのがあります。どちらにしますか？
ookii no to chiisai no ga arimasu. dochira ni shimasu ka?
We have a large one and a small one. Which would you like?
-
Your turn: Point at the small one on the counter right in front of you.
これでお願いします
kore de onegaishimasu
I'll go with this one, please.
-
はい、二百円です。どうぞ。
hai, nihyaku en desu. douzo.
Sure, that's 200 yen. Here you go.
Scene complete! You earned the Tsukiji Outer Market stamp.
Phrases from Ekiben content v3