🍜 Lesson 2 – Ordering at a Ramen Shop
🗣️ Dialogue: At a Ramen Shop
店員 (Ten’in) – Restaurant Worker
いらっしゃいませ！
Irasshaimase!
Literal: “You have come (honorifically)!”
店員
なんめいさまですか？
Nan-mei sama desu ka?
Literal: “How many honorable people (is it)?”
Customer (Me)
よにんです。
Hitori Desu / Onegaishimas (1 person)
Futari Desu / Onegaishimas (2 People)
Sanin Desu (3 People)
Yonin desu (“Four people (it is).”
Gonin Des (5 people)
Rokunin Des Onegaishimas (6 people)
店員
こちらへどうぞ。
Kochira e dōzo.
Literal: “Toward this side, please.”
Customer
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Literal: “There is gratitude (polite).”
🪑 (Everyone sits.)
Customer
すみません、生ビールをふたつください。
Sumimasen, nama bīru o (hitotsu, futatsu, mitsu, yotsu, itsusu, mutzu – ) kudasai.
Literal: “Excuse me, raw beer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) please-give.”
Sumimasen, Retto Wine / White wine o futatsu kudasai.
Literal: “Excuse me, Red wine/ white wine two please-give.”
Sumimasen, osake o hitotsu kudasai.
Literal: “Excuse me, honorific sake 1 please-give.”
For the kids
コーラとオレンジジュースをください。
Kōra to orenji jūsu o kudasai.
Literal: “Cola and orange juice (object) please-give.”
店員
はい、しょうしょうおまちください。
Hai, shōshō omachi kudasai.
Literal: “Yes, please wait a little.”
🥂 (Drinks arrive.)
店員
どうぞ。
Dōzo.
Literal: “Please (take it).”
Customer
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Literal: “There is gratitude (polite).”
Customer (asking for a recommendation)
おすすめはなんですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
Literal: “As for recommendation, what is it?”
店員
しょうゆラーメンが人気です。
Shōyu rāmen ga ninki desu.
Literal: “Soy-sauce ramen is popularity.”
Customer (ordering)
じゃあ、しょうゆラーメンをください。
Jaa, shōyu rāmen o kudasai.
Literal: “Then, soy-sauce ramen please-give.”
🍜 (After eating.)
Customer
Great meal!
ごちそうさまでした。
Gochisō sama deshita.
Literal: “It was a feast (honorific).”
Check Please!
お会計お願いします
Romaji: Okaikei onegaishimasu
Literal Breakdown お (o) — honorific prefix (shows respect) 会計 (kaikei) — bill, check, or payment お願いします (onegaishimasu) — please (polite request form of onegai suru, “to request a favor”)
Literal Meaning (The) check, I humbly request.”
Customer
Where is the bathroom? — お手洗いはどこですか？ (Otearai wa doko desu ka?)
Japanese: お手洗いはどこですか？
Literal breakdown: o (honorific) + tearai (hand washing / restroom) + wa (as for) + doko (where) + desu ka (is it?) → “As for the restroom, where is it?” → “Where is the bathroom?”
Used: Politely asking where the restroom is.
Alternate (common form):
トイレはどこですか？ (Toire wa doko desu ka?)
Literal breakdown: toire (toilet) + wa (as for) + doko (where) + desu ka (is it?) → “As for the toilet, where is it?” → “Where is the bathroom?”
Used: Everyday, casual and polite — most common in Japan.
📖 Mini Vocabulary Box
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| いらっしゃいませ | Irasshaimase | Welcome | “You have come (honorifically)” |
| なんめいさまですか | Nan-mei sama desu ka | How many in your party? | “How many honorable people (is it)?” |
| こちらへどうぞ | Kochira e dōzo | This way, please | “Toward this side, please” |
| 生ビール | Nama bīru | Draft beer | “Raw beer” |
| ふたつ | Futatsu | Two (general counter) | “Two (things)” |
