Japanese for Shopping
Most shopping in Japan needs only a few sentences. This page gives the one to say first, then two short conversations: paying at a supermarket or convenience store, and asking for a size or color in a clothing store.
Say this first
Point at what you want and say it. ください (kudasai) is the polite way to ask for something. Swap これ (kore, "this") for それ (sore, "that") or a product name.
Conversation 1: Paying at the register
A supermarket or convenience store checkout. The clerk speaks first, and most of what you hear is a question you can answer with はい or いいえ.
| Who | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk | いらっしゃいませ。Irasshaimase. | Welcome. |
| Clerk | ポイントカードはお持ちですか。ポイントカードはおもちですか。Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka. | Do you have a point card? |
| You | いいえ、持っていません。いいえ、もっていません。Īe, motte imasen. | No, I don't. |
| Clerk | 袋はご利用ですか。ふくろはごりようですか。Fukuro wa go-riyō desu ka. | Would you like a bag? (It costs a little extra.) |
| You | はい、お願いします。はい、おねがいします。Hai, onegaishimasu. | Yes, please. |
| Clerk | お弁当は温めますか。おべんとうはあたためますか。Obentō wa atatamemasu ka. | Would you like the lunch box heated? |
| You | はい、お願いします。はい、おねがいします。Hai, onegaishimasu. | Yes, please. |
| Clerk | 六百八十円です。ろっぴゃくはちじゅうえんです。Roppyaku hachijū-en desu. | That's 680 yen. |
| You | カードで払えますか。カードではらえますか。Kādo de haraemasu ka. | Can I pay by card? |
| Clerk | はい、大丈夫です。はい、だいじょうぶです。Hai, daijōbu desu. | Yes, that's fine. |
| You | ありがとうございました。Arigatō gozaimashita. | Thank you. |
Conversation 2: Asking for a size or color
In a clothing store you can look on your own, then ask a staff member.
| Who | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| You | すみません、これの色違いはありますか。すみません、これのいろちがいはありますか。Sumimasen, kore no irochigai wa arimasu ka. | Excuse me, do you have this in another color? |
| Staff | はい、こちらです。Hai, kochira desu. | Yes, here you are. |
| You | 試着してもいいですか。しちゃくしてもいいですか。Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka. | May I try it on? |
| Staff | はい、あちらの試着室をお使いください。はい、あちらのしちゃくしつをおつかいください。Hai, achira no shichakushitsu o otsukai kudasai. | Yes, please use the fitting room over there. |
| You | もう少し大きいサイズはありますか。もうすこしおおきいサイズはありますか。Mō sukoshi ōkii saizu wa arimasu ka. | Do you have a slightly larger size? |
| Staff | 少々お待ちください。しょうしょうおまちください。Shōshō omachi kudasai. | Please wait a moment. |
| You | これをください。Kore o kudasai. | I'll take this one. |
Words you will see and hear
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| いくらですか。 | いくらですか。 | Ikura desu ka. | How much is it? |
| レジ | レジ | reji | Register, checkout. |
| 現金 | げんきん | genkin | Cash. |
| クレジットカード | クレジットカード | kurejitto kādo | Credit card. |
| 電子マネー | でんしマネー | denshi manē | Electronic money (IC cards and mobile payments). |
| 税込 | ぜいこみ | zeikomi | Tax included. |
| 税抜 | ぜいぬき | zeinuki | Tax not included. |
| 割引 | わりびき | waribiki | Discount. |
| レシート | レシート | reshīto | Receipt. |
| 袋 | ふくろ | fukuro | Bag. |
| 在庫 | ざいこ | zaiko | Stock (in stock). |
| 賞味期限 | しょうみきげん | shōmi kigen | Best-before date (quality). |
| 消費期限 | しょうひきげん | shōhi kigen | Use-by date (safety). Eat before this date. |
| 試着 | しちゃく | shichaku | Trying clothes on. |
Good to know
- Since July 1, 2020, shops throughout Japan have charged for plastic shopping bags instead of giving them away. That is why the clerk asks 袋はご利用ですか. Many people bring their own bag.
- Both 賞味期限 and 消費期限 are dates on food. The first is when the taste is best, and the second is the last day it is safe to eat.
- 大丈夫です (daijōbu desu) can mean "yes, that's fine" or "no, thank you". When a clerk offers a bag or a receipt, say お願いします for yes and いりません (irimasen, "I don't need it") for no.
- You can pay with cash, a card, or an IC card such as Suica. Say 現金でお願いします (Genkin de onegaishimasu) for cash.
Common questions
How do I ask how much something costs in Japanese?
Say いくらですか (Ikura desu ka). Point at the item, or add its name first: これはいくらですか ("How much is this?").
How do I say I don't need a bag or a receipt?
Say 袋はいりません (Fukuro wa irimasen) for a bag, or レシートはいりません (Reshīto wa irimasen) for a receipt.
Do I have to pay for shopping bags in Japan?
Yes, in most shops. Charging for plastic shopping bags became mandatory across Japan on July 1, 2020, so the clerk will ask whether you want a bag.
Sources
The bag fee is from the Consumer Affairs Agency, and the IC card use is from the Japan National Tourism Organization. The Japanese was written for this page and checked for natural, polite everyday speech. Readings are in hiragana and Hepburn romaji. Shops, stations and offices differ, so follow the instructions you are given on the day.
- Consumer Affairs Agency: To solve plastic waste issues (plastic shopping bags charged from July 1, 2020)
- Japan National Tourism Organization: IC travel cards, also used at convenience stores and vending machines
- The Japan Foundation: Irodori, Japanese for Life in Japan (free course, worksheets and word lists)
Rehearse the checkout conversation line by line in Japanese Talk: Convenience Store.