{"id":50502,"date":"2026-10-30T08:38:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T00:38:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/?p=50502"},"modified":"2026-11-02T00:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T16:31:12","slug":"ordering-in-japanese-kudasai-onegaishimasu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/en\/ordering-in-japanese-kudasai-onegaishimasu\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Order in Japanese: Kudasai and Onegaishimasu"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.hm-order-lesson{max-width:850px;margin:auto;line-height:1.95;color:#333}.hm-order-lesson h2{font-size:26px!important;font-weight:700!important}.hm-order-lesson h3{font-size:21px!important;font-weight:700!important}.hm-order-lesson h2,.hm-order-lesson h3{width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;white-space:normal!important;overflow-wrap:anywhere;line-height:1.5;margin:2em 0 .8em}.hm-order-lesson p{margin:0 0 1.2em}.hm-order-lesson .example,.hm-order-lesson details{background:#fff8e9;border-left:4px solid #efaa36;padding:18px 22px;margin:20px 0;border-radius:8px}.hm-order-lesson summary{cursor:pointer;font-weight:700}.hm-order-lesson li{margin:.6em 0}.hm-order-lesson a{overflow-wrap:anywhere}.hm-order-lesson .lead{font-size:1.1em}body.postid-50502 .entry-title,body.postid-50502 .pageHeader h1{width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;white-space:normal!important;overflow-wrap:anywhere;line-height:1.5!important;font-size:clamp(26px,3vw,38px)!important;font-weight:700!important;margin:0 auto 18px!important;padding:0!important}body.postid-50502 .entry-header{max-width:850px;margin:40px auto;padding:0 20px}body.postid-50502 .entry-meta{font-size:14px;color:#666}@media(max-width:600px){.hm-order-lesson{padding:0 18px}.hm-order-lesson .example,.hm-order-lesson details{padding:14px}.hm-order-lesson h2{font-size:23px!important}} <\/style><div class=\"hm-order-lesson\"><p class=\"lead\"><strong>To order politely in Japanese, start with \u201citem + \u3092 + quantity + \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u201d.<\/strong> For example, \u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 means \u201cOne coffee, please.\u201d \u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 is also common when ordering, particularly when confirming a choice with the person serving you. The difference is not simply \u201cpolite\u201d versus \u201cmore polite\u201d: the sentence pattern and situation matter.<\/p><p>Below, you will build a complete order, practise quantities, and answer questions about eating in or taking away. A short caf\u00e9 conversation and four practice questions help you put the phrases together. You do not need to know Japanese verb conjugation to begin.<\/p><h2>1. Your first ordering pattern: \u301c\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/h2><p>\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 (<em>kudasai<\/em>) means \u201cplease give me\u201d in this pattern. The small word \u3092 marks the item you are asking for. It is pronounced <strong>o<\/strong> here, rather than wo. Put the name of your food or drink before it.<\/p><div class=\"example\"><p><strong>\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/strong><br>\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092 \u3072\u3068\u3064 \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<br><em>K\u014dh\u012b o hitotsu kudasai.<\/em><br>One coffee, please.<\/p><p><strong>\u3053\u308c\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/strong><br>\u3053\u308c\u3092 \u3072\u3068\u3064 \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<br><em>Kore o hitotsu kudasai.<\/em><br>One of these, please.<\/p><\/div><p>If you cannot read the menu, point to the item and say \u3053\u308c\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044. This is clearer and more polite than just saying \u3053\u308c (\u201cthis\u201d). To get someone&#8217;s attention first, use \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 (<em>sumimasen<\/em>, \u201cexcuse me\u201d). For other everyday uses of this phrase, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/en\/japanese-daily-conversation\/\">15 everyday Japanese phrases with examples<\/a>.<\/p><h3>Can you use \u4e00\u3064 for everything?<\/h3><p>\u4e00\u3064 (\u3072\u3068\u3064, <em>hitotsu<\/em>) means one, and \u4e8c\u3064 (\u3075\u305f\u3064, <em>futatsu<\/em>) means two in a general counting system. They are often useful for ordering one or two items. You may also hear \u4e00\u676f (\u3044\u3063\u3071\u3044, <em>ippai<\/em>) for a cup or glass, or other counters for particular foods. Start with \u4e00\u3064, then gradually learn the specific counters; Japanese does not use \u3064 for every kind of quantity.<\/p><div class=\"example\"><p><strong>\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e8c\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/strong><br>\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092 \u3075\u305f\u3064 \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<br>Two coffees, please.<\/p><\/div><h2>2. When do you use \u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059?<\/h2><p>\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 (\u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059, <em>onegaishimasu<\/em>) is used to make requests. In an order, it can mean \u201cplease\u201d or \u201cI&#8217;d like \u2026, please\u201d. \u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 is a natural alternative to \u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044. When staff ask you to choose an option, you can answer with \u201coption + \u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u201d.<\/p><div class=\"example\"><p><strong>\u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong><br>\u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067 \u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<br>Hot, please.<\/p><p><strong>\u6301\u3061\u5e30\u308a\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong><br>\u3082\u3061\u304b\u3048\u308a\u3067 \u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<br>Takeaway, please.<\/p><\/div><p>Here, \u3067 helps express your choice, such as a hot drink or takeaway. This differs from its location use in \u30ab\u30d5\u30a7\u3067\u98f2\u307f\u307e\u3059 (\u201cI drink at a caf\u00e9\u201d). If you are learning particles for places, our <a href=\"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/en\/japanese-particles-ni-de\/\">guide to Japanese particles ni and de<\/a> explains that separate use.<\/p><h3>Both are polite, but they are not interchangeable everywhere<\/h3><p>\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 and \u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 are both natural, polite orders in an everyday caf\u00e9. For a hot-or-iced choice, however, learn \u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 as a complete phrase. Do not simply replace its ending with \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 to make \u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044. You also do not need to combine the two expressions as \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059.<\/p><h2>3. Two questions you may hear at a caf\u00e9<\/h2><p><strong>\u5e97\u5185\u3067\u304a\u53ec\u3057\u4e0a\u304c\u308a\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong><br>\u3066\u3093\u306a\u3044\u3067 \u304a\u3081\u3057\u3042\u304c\u308a\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<br>Will you be having it here?<\/p><p>\u304a\u53ec\u3057\u4e0a\u304c\u308a is a respectful expression that staff use for a customer&#8217;s eating or drinking. As a beginner, you only need to recognise the question; you do not need to repeat this formal wording in your answer.<\/p><p><strong>\u5e97\u5185\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong> (\u3066\u3093\u306a\u3044\u3067 \u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002) = To have here, please.<br><strong>\u6301\u3061\u5e30\u308a\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong> = Takeaway, please.<\/p><p><strong>\u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3001\u30a2\u30a4\u30b9\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong><br>Would you like it hot or iced?<\/p><p>Answer \u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 (\u201cHot, please\u201d) or \u30a2\u30a4\u30b9\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 (\u201cIced, please\u201d). Staff will not always use exactly these questions. Listen for the key words \u5e97\u5185 (here\/in the shop), \u6301\u3061\u5e30\u308a (takeaway), \u30db\u30c3\u30c8 (hot), and \u30a2\u30a4\u30b9 (iced).<\/p><h2>4. Put it together: ordering a hot coffee<\/h2><div class=\"example\"><p><strong>Customer:<\/strong> \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<br>Excuse me. One coffee, please.<\/p><p><strong>Staff:<\/strong> \u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3001\u30a2\u30a4\u30b9\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<br>Would you like it hot or iced?<\/p><p><strong>Customer:<\/strong> \u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<br>Hot, please.<\/p><p><strong>Staff:<\/strong> \u5e97\u5185\u3067\u304a\u53ec\u3057\u4e0a\u304c\u308a\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<br>Will you be having it here?<\/p><p><strong>Customer:<\/strong> \u306f\u3044\u3001\u5e97\u5185\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<br>Yes, to have here, please.<\/p><\/div><p>Practise by changing the drink first, then the quantity, and finally switching to takeaway. You do not have to memorise a whole menu at once. Becoming comfortable with one reusable pattern gives you a manageable starting point.<\/p><h2>5. Check your understanding<\/h2><ol><li>Fill in the particle: \u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\uff08\u3000\uff09\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/li><li>For two coffees, which reading do you need: \u3072\u3068\u3064 or \u3075\u305f\u3064?<\/li><li>Staff ask \u30db\u30c3\u30c8\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3001\u30a2\u30a4\u30b9\u3067\u3059\u304b. How would you ask for an iced drink?<\/li><li>How would you say \u201cTakeaway, please\u201d?<\/li><\/ol><details><summary>Show answers and explanations<\/summary><ol><li><strong>\u3092<\/strong>. It marks the item you are asking for and is pronounced o.<\/li><li><strong>\u3075\u305f\u3064<\/strong>. The complete order is \u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u4e8c\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044.<\/li><li><strong>\u30a2\u30a4\u30b9\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong> Use \u201coption + \u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u201d to confirm your choice.<\/li><li><strong>\u6301\u3061\u5e30\u308a\u3067\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong> (\u3082\u3061\u304b\u3048\u308a\u3067 \u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002)<\/li><\/ol><\/details><h2>Your next step: make the order your own<\/h2><p>Choose a drink from a Japanese caf\u00e9 menu and practise ordering it with \u301c\u3092\u4e00\u3064\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044. Then answer whether you want it to have here or to take away. Continue with our <a href=\"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/en\/japanese-daily-conversation\/\">everyday Japanese phrases and short conversations<\/a>, or explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/en\/blog\/\">Japanese learning blog<\/a>.<\/p><p>If you would like guided speaking practice, explore Himawari Education&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/en\/online-lesson\/\">online Japanese courses with English support<\/a> to find your next step.<\/p><\/div><style>body.postid-50502:not(.admin-bar) #main{padding-top:124px!important}body.postid-50502 .entry-content h2,body.postid-50502 .entry-content h3{scroll-margin-top:124px}@media(max-width:768px){body.postid-50502:not(.admin-bar) #main{padding-top:94px!important}body.postid-50502 .entry-content h2,body.postid-50502 .entry-content h3{scroll-margin-top:94px}}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Order in Japanese with kudasai and onegaishimasu. Learn simple caf\u00e9 phrases, how to choose hot or iced drinks, and how to ask for takeaway, with four practice questions.","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/?p=50499","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[327],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-learning","en-US"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50502"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50649,"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50502\/revisions\/50649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/himawari-edu.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}