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Shopping 買い物 · Stop S01

見ているだけ

Just looking: browsing shops in Japanese

You're strolling down Nakamise Street in Asakusa, lined with souvenir stalls. Browse at your own pace and find the perfect gift. Say you're just looking, ask about colours, and ask the price.

  • 仲見世通り · Set in Nakamise Street, Asakusa
  • 5-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

ちょっとみているだけです

chotto mite iru dake desu

I'm just looking.

Clerks call out いらっしゃいませ (welcome). No reply needed. Say this if they ask whether you need help.

ちょっとchotto · a bit見ているmite iru · lookingだけdake · onlyですdesu · it is

kore wa arimasu ka?

Do you have this?

Show a photo on your phone as you ask. Perfect for tracking down something you saw online.

Pattern: 〜はありますか？

これはkore wa · this (topic)ありますarimasu · have / there isかka · (question)

ほかのいろはありますか？

hoka no iro wa arimasu ka?

Do you have other colours?

Swap 色 (colour) for サイズ (size) or デザイン (design).

Pattern: 他の〜はありますか？

他のhoka no · other色はiro wa · colour (topic)ありますarimasu · have / there isかka · (question)

kore wa ikura desu ka?

How much is this?

Point at the item as you ask. If the answer is too fast, show this card so staff can enter the price.

Pattern: 〜はいくらですか？

これはkore wa · this (topic)いくらikura · how muchですかdesu ka · is it?

さわってもいいですか？

sawatte mo ii desu ka?

May I touch it?

Polite to ask with delicate goods like ceramics, lacquerware or antiques.

Pattern: 〜てもいいですか？

触ってもsawatte mo · touching (it)いいii · OKですかdesu ka · is it?

What you’ll hear

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

nanika osagashi desu ka?

Are you looking for something?

A clerk walks over while you're browsing.

You

chotto mite iru dake desu

I'm just looking.

douzo, goran kudasai.

Please, have a look.

Shopkeepers inviting you to browse their goods.

You

arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you.

irochigai mo gozaimasu.

We have it in other colours too.

A clerk letting you know an item comes in more colours.

You

misete moraemasu ka?

Could you show me?

Culture tip

Read the Price Tag

Price tags in Japan must show the tax-included total, marked 税込 (zeikomi). Many also show the pre-tax price, marked 税抜 (zeinuki). The 税込 number is what you pay at the register. Prices in shops are fixed, so there's no haggling.

“If a tag shows both prices, you pay the 税抜 one at the register.”

Practice scene

The Perfect Tenugui

A souvenir stall on Nakamise Street, hung with colourful tenugui (cotton hand towels). You want one as a gift.

Mrs. Ito · Souvenir shop owner

  1. irasshaimase. nanika osagashi desu ka?

    Welcome. Are you looking for something?

  2. Your turn: You're just browsing for now. Tell her politely.

    chotto mite iru dake desu

    I'm just looking.

  3. douzo, goyukkuri.

    Please, take your time.

  4. Your turn: You love a tenugui with a cat pattern, but it's red. Ask if it comes in other colours.

    hoka no iro wa arimasu ka?

    Do you have other colours?

  5. hai, ao to shiro mo gozaimasu.

    Yes, we also have blue and white.

  6. Your turn: The blue one is perfect. Ask how much it is.

    kore wa ikura desu ka?

    How much is this?

  7. happyaku en desu.

    It's 800 yen.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3