Latest / Learn Japanese with Fexingo / Japanese at the Bar - Ordering Drinks
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Japanese with Fexingo. Luna: Hey everyone! I am so ready for this one. Lucas: Last episode we were at the pharmacy, right? So today we are switching gears completely. Luna: Totally. We are going to a bar. Lucas: Yes. A cozy little izakaya or maybe just a neighborhood bar. Luna: I love that vibe. But honestly, walking into a place like that makes me nervous. Lucas: It can be intimidating if you don't know the flow. But it is actually quite simple once you have the key phrases. Luna: Okay, teach me. Where do I even sit? Lucas: In many small bars, you sit at the counter. The first thing you might need to ask is about seating. Luna: Got it. So, what is the phrase for asking if there is a seat at the counter? Lucas: Listen closely. Counter ni seki ga arimasu ka. Luna: Counter ni seki ga arimasu ka. Lucas: Perfect. Let's break it down slowly. Counter. Ni. Seki. Ga. Arimasu. Ka. Luna: Counter ni seki ga arimasu ka. Lucas: Exactly. It literally means 'Is there a seat at the counter?' You say this when you walk in. Luna: So if I walk in and say that, the bartender knows exactly where to point me. Lucas: Right. And usually, they will say 'Kochira' which means 'This way.' Then you sit down. Luna: Okay, I am seated. Now what? Do I just shout my order? Lucas: No shouting. In Japan, politeness is key. Often, the bartender might ask what you want, or you can ask for a recommendation. Luna: I would definitely ask for a recommendation. I don't want to pick something terrible. Lucas: Here is the phrase. This osake, osusume wa arimasu ka. Luna: This osake, osusume wa arimasu ka. Lucas: Good. Listen again. This. Osake. Osusume. Wa. Arimasu. Ka. Luna: This osake, osusume wa arimasu ka. Lucas: Spot on. 'Osake' is alcohol generally. 'Osusume' means recommendation. So you are asking 'Do you have any recommendations for this drink?' Luna: Or just 'What do you recommend?' It feels very natural to ask. Lucas: It does. And if they suggest a local beer, you might want to order that. Luna: Let's try ordering a beer then. How do I say 'One beer, please'? Lucas: You use the word 'hitotsu' for one item. Beer wo hitotsu kudasai. Luna: Beer wo hitotsu kudasai. Lucas: Very good. Let's slow it down. Beer. Wo. Hitotsu. Kudasai. Luna: Beer wo hitotsu kudasai. Lucas: Correct. 'Kudasai' means 'please give me.' It is polite and standard. Luna: I feel like I could survive this interaction now. Sit down, ask for recs, order a beer. Lucas: Almost. Sometimes you want water too. Especially with salty snacks. Luna: Oh, yes. Water is important. How do I add that to my order? Lucas: You can just say 'O-mizu mo onegaishimasu.' Luna: O-mizu mo onegaishimasu. Lucas: Let's repeat it. O-mizu. Mo. Onegaishimasu. Luna: O-mizu mo onegaishimasu. Lucas: Perfect. 'Mo' means 'also' or 'too'. So you are saying 'Water also, please.' Luna: That is so efficient. Just one phrase to add water to whatever else I ordered. Lucas: Exactly. You can say the beer and water together. Or just tap your glass. But these words help. Luna: I love it. Okay, I have had my beer, my water, and some edamame. Time to leave. Lucas: Before you go, you need to pay. In Japan, you often ask for the bill at the end. Luna: Right. I don't want to stand up awkwardly without knowing the total. Lucas: The phrase is very polite. Kaikei wo oshiete kudasai. Luna: Kaikei wo oshiete kudasai. Lucas: Listen carefully. Kaikei. Wo. Oshiete. Kudasai. Luna: Kaikei wo oshiete kudasai. Lucas: Great job. 'Kaikei' means bill or account. 'Oshiete' means tell. So 'Please tell me the bill.' Luna: It sounds so formal but it is just what you need to get checked out smoothly. Lucas: It is standard polite Japanese. They will bring the terminal or the cash box to you. Luna: I feel much more confident about going to a bar in Japan now. Lucas: You should. These five phrases cover the whole experience from entry to exit. Luna: Let's review them quickly so they stick. Lucas: First, finding a seat. Counter ni seki ga arimasu ka. Luna: Counter ni seki ga arimasu ka. Lucas: Second, asking for a recommendation. This osake, osusume wa arimasu ka. Luna: This osake, osusume wa arimasu ka. Lucas: Third, ordering a beer. Beer wo hitotsu kudasai. Luna: Beer wo hitotsu kudasai. Lucas: Fourth, adding water. O-mizu mo onegaishimasu. Luna: O-mizu mo onegaishimasu. Lucas: And fifth, asking for the bill. Kaikei wo oshiete kudasai. Luna: Kaikei wo oshiete kudasai. Lucas: Excellent. Repeat those until you dream about them. Luna: I might already be dreaming about yakitori by now. Lucas: That is the goal. Before we go, I want to mention something about Fexingo. Luna: Sure. What is up? Lucas: We don't have ads here. It is just us and you. Luna: Yeah, it is nice to focus on learning without interruptions. Lucas: Some listeners support us monthly through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Luna: That helps keep the lights on and the episodes coming. Lucas: If you can, check it out. If not, no worries. Your listening is enough. Luna: Thanks for being part of this community. Lucas: Back to Japanese. Practice these phrases at home. Luna: Imagine you are sitting at that counter. Say hello to the bartender. Lucas: Counter ni seki ga arimasu ka. Luna: This osake, osusume wa arimasu ka. Lucas: Beer wo hitotsu kudasai. Luna: O-mizu mo onegaishimasu. Lucas: Kaikei wo oshiete kudasai. Luna: You nailed it. See you next time! Lucas: Bye for now.