Japanese for Traveling: Phrases for Shopping in Japan
Shopping in Japan is an exciting experience that every tourist should try. If
you’re preparing for a trip to Japan, learning a few basic phrases in Japanese
can be very helpful. This article provides practical guidance and a quick
lesson for tourists to communicate while shopping. It’s designed as Japanese
for traveler to make your journey easier.
1. Asking for the Name of an Item
When you see an interesting item in a store, you might want to know its name.
Here is an example conversation:
-
You: これはなんですか? (Kore wa nan desu ka?) – “What is
this?” -
Shopkeeper: これはのーとです。 (Kore wa nooto desu.)
– “This is a notebook.”
This phrase is very basic and essential to start a conversation in the store.
You can also add more questions if you want to know further.
2. Asking for a Bigger or Smaller Size
In Japan, many tourists buy clothes or shoes as souvenirs. If the size of an
item doesn’t fit, you can use the following phrases:
-
You: もっとおおきいさいずはありますか? (Motto ookii saizu wa аrіmаѕu kа?) – “Dо you hаvе a bіggеr ѕіzе?”
-
Shopkeeper: はい、こちらにあります。 (Hai,
kochira ni arimasu.) – “Yes, here it is.”
If you want a smaller size, simply replace 大きい (ookii) with 小さい
(chiisai).
3. Asking About Available Colors
Color is often an important factor when choosing an item. Use the following
phrases to ask:
- You: このしょうひんはほかのいろがありますか? (Kono shouhin wа hоkа nо іrо gа arimasu kа?) – “Does thіѕ item come in оthеr colors?”
-
Shopkeeper: あかいとブルーのいろがあります。 (Akai to buruu nо іrо gа аrіmаѕu.) –
“We have red and blue.”
If you want a ѕресіfіс color, mention it, for example: くろいいろがほしいです (Kuroi iro ga hoshii desu) – “I
want black.”
To find out more complete color vocabulary in Japanese, you can check here.
4. Asking for a Fitting Room
Many clothing stores in Japan provide fitting rooms for tourists to try items
before purchasing. Here’s an example conversation:
-
You: これをしちゃくしてもいいですか? (Kore o
shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?) – “Can I try this on?” -
Shopkeeper: はい、あちらのふぃってぃんぐるぅーむをおつかいください。 (Hai, achira no
fitting room o otsukai kudasai.) – “Yes, please use the fitting room over
there.”
5. Asking for the Price of an Item
Asking for the price of an item is a crucial lesson in any quick course for
travelers. Here’s the common phrase:
-
You: これはいくらですか? (Kore wa ikura desu ka?) –
“How much is this?” -
Shopkeeper: ごせんじゅうえんです。 (Go sen juu en desu.)
– “It’s 5010 yen.”
This phrase is simple and very useful for any tourist making transactions in
Japan.
6. Asking if an Item is Available
If you’re looking for a specific item, use the following phrase:
-
You: このしょうひんはまだざいこがありますか? (Kono shouhin wa mada zaiko ga
arimasu ka?) – “Is this item still in stock?” -
Shopkeeper: もうしわけありません。このしょうひんはうりきれです。 (Moushiwake
arimasen. Kono shouhin wa urikire desu.) – “I’m sorry, this item is sold
out.”
Additional Tips for Shopping in Japan
- 1 Learn Numbers and Units
-
Understanding basic numbers in Japanese makes it easier to grasp item
prices. - 2 Use Polite Words
-
Words like お願いします (onegaishimasu) or ありがとうございます
(arigatou gozaimasu) leave a good impression on shopkeepers. - 3 Leverage Travel Agent Services
-
Some tour or travel companies in Japan provide guides who can assist you
during shopping.
By mastering these basic phrases, you can enjoy a more comfortable shopping
experience while traveling in Japan. This lesson is a great starting point for
exploring Japanese culture with confidence!
