Ekiben 駅弁

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.

  • 築地場外市場 · Set in Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 6-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

kore o kudasai

This one, please.

Point and say it. Kore means 'this', something close to you.

Pattern: 〜をください

これをkore o · this (object)くださいkudasai · please give

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.

Pattern: 〜は何ですか？

これkore · thisはwa · (topic)何nan · whatですかdesu ka · is it?

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.

Pattern: 〜は何ですか？

あれare · that (over there)はwa · (topic)何nan · whatですかdesu ka · is it?

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.

これでkore de · with thisお願いonegai · please (request)しますshimasu · (I) do

What you’ll hear

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

kochira desu ka?

This one?

The clerk points at an item to check which one you mean.

You

hai, sou desu

Yes, that's right.

ijou de yoroshii desu ka?

Will that be all?

Asked at the counter before the clerk rings up your order.

You

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.”

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

  1. Your turn: A tray of golden-yellow squares sits right in front of you. Point and ask what they are.

    kore wa nan desu ka?

    What's this?

  2. tamagoyaki desu. amakute oishii desu yo.

    It's tamagoyaki, a rolled omelet. Sweet and tasty!

  3. Your turn: Something pink and white sits at the far end of the counter. Ask about that one too.

    are wa nan desu ka?

    What's that over there?

  4. kamaboko desu. osakana de dekite imasu yo.

    It's kamaboko. It's made from fish.

  5. Your turn: You'd rather have the sweet omelet. Point at the tray in front of you and ask for it.

    kore o kudasai

    This one, please.

  6. ookii no to chiisai no ga arimasu. dochira ni shimasu ka?

    We have a large one and a small one. Which would you like?

  7. Your turn: Point at the small one on the counter right in front of you.

    kore de onegaishimasu

    I'll go with this one, please.

  8. hai, nihyaku en desu. douzo.

    Sure, that's 200 yen. Here you go.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3