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Food 食 · Stop F05

コンビニ

Konbini Japanese: the convenience store phrases

Grabbing a bento at a konbini on Kokusai-dori in Naha? The cashier has a few quick questions for you. Get your food heated, skip the bag, ask for chopsticks, and politely say no thanks.

  • 国際通り · Set in Kokusai-dori, Naha
  • 5-minute lesson
  • With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

あたためてください

atatamete kudasai

Please heat it up.

For bento and other ready meals. The cashier microwaves it for you right at the register.

温めてatatamete · heat upくださいkudasai · please (do)

ふくろはいりません

fukuro wa irimasen

I don't need a bag.

Bags cost a few yen, so you'll be asked. 大丈夫です works too.

袋fukuro · bagはwa · (topic)いりませんirimasen · don't need

おはしをください

ohashi o kudasai

Chopsticks, please.

Swap in スプーン (supuun) spoon or フォーク (fooku) fork.

Pattern: 〜をください

お箸ohashi · chopsticksをo · (object)くださいkudasai · please give

だいじょうぶです

daijoubu desu

No, thanks. / I'm fine.

Japan's all-purpose polite "no thanks." A small wave of the hand makes it extra clear.

大丈夫daijoubu · OK / fineですdesu · it is

スイカでおねがいします

Suica de onegaishimasu

I'll pay with Suica.

Konbini take IC cards like Suica and PASMO. Tap your card on the reader when the cashier asks.

SuicaSuica · Suicaでde · by / withお願いしますonegaishimasu · please

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

atatamemasu ka?

Shall I heat it up?

Asked when you buy a bento or another ready meal.

You

hai, onegaishimasu

Yes, please.

fukuro wa goriyou desu ka?

Do you need a bag?

Bags cost a few yen, so cashiers always ask.

You

fukuro wa irimasen

I don't need a bag.

pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?

Do you have a points card?

Asked at almost every register. Visitors can simply say no thanks.

You

daijoubu desu

No, thanks.

Culture tip

Bags Cost Extra

Since July 2020, shops in Japan charge a few yen for plastic bags, so konbini cashiers will ask if you need one. Carry a small tote and say 袋はいりません. Konbini staff will also heat your bento for free, right at the register.

“Plastic bags at Japanese konbini are free.”

Practice scene

Bento to Go

A konbini on Kokusai-dori. You're buying a bento for a picnic, and you brought your own tote bag.

Ms. Higa · Konbini cashier

  1. irasshaimase. obentou, atatamemasu ka?

    Hello. Shall I heat up your bento?

  2. Your turn: You want it hot.

    atatamete kudasai

    Please heat it up.

  3. kashikomarimashita. fukuro wa goriyou desu ka?

    Certainly. Do you need a bag?

  4. Your turn: You brought your own tote bag.

    fukuro wa irimasen

    I don't need a bag.

  5. roppyaku hachijuu en desu.

    That's 680 yen.

  6. Your turn: Wait, you'll need something to eat with. Ask for chopsticks.

    ohashi o kudasai

    Chopsticks, please.

  7. hai, douzo. arigatou gozaimashita.

    Here you go. Thank you!

Phrases from Ekiben content v3