How to Say ‘If you'd like, could I buy you a drink?’ in Japanese
よかったら、一杯ご馳走させてもらえませんか？
yokatsu tara ichi pai go chisou sa se te morae mase n ka
[yokat tara eechi pie goh CHEE-soh sah seh teh moh-rah-eh mah-seh n ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Offering to buy a drink is a fairly clear sign of romantic interest at a Japanese bar. Asking this politely makes it easy for the other person to say no without awkwardness.
Phrase Breakdown
よかったら、
yokatsu tara
If you'd like,
よかったら means 'if it's okay with you'. It softens an offer. Pause briefly at the comma.
よかったら、一緒に行きませんか？
If you'd like, shall we go together?
Words in this phrase
よかっ
yokatsu
[yokat]
if it's good; if you'd like
Part of a casual-soft invitation phrase meaning 'if that sounds good to you.'
よかったら、一緒に行きませんか。
If you'd like, shall we go together?
たら
tara
[tara]
if; when
Conditional ending used to express hope: if it happens, that would be nice.
また相談できたら うれしいです。
I would be happy if I could consult with you again.
一杯ご馳走させて
ichi pai go chisou sa se te
let me treat you to a drink
一杯 means 'one drink', ご馳走する means 'to treat', and させて means 'let me'.
お礼に一杯ご馳走させてください。
Let me buy you a drink as thanks.
Words in this phrase
一
ichi
[eechi]
one
A Japanese character meaning the number one.
一つお願いします。
One, please.
杯
pai
[pie]
cup; glass; counter for drinks
杯 counts cups or glasses of drinks. 一杯 means one cup/glass.
ビールを一杯ください。
One beer, please.
ご
go
[goh]
polite prefix (adds respect)
Honorific prefix used to make a noun more polite. Common in neighbor-related phrases to sound considerate.
ご近所の方には、いつでも言ってくださいと伝えました。
I told the neighbors, “Please tell me anytime.”
馳走
chisou
[CHEE-soh]
treat (in ご馳走)
With ご, ご馳走 means a treat or feast; ご馳走する is to treat someone.
今日はご馳走します。
Today it's my treat.
さ
sa
[sah]
do (stem of suru)
Stem form of the verb suru 'to do', used before the honorific/passive ending reru.
先生はもう帰宅されました。
The teacher has already gone home.
せ
se
[seh]
causative marker (part)
Part of the causative ending (〜せる) meaning “let/make (someone) do.”
きょうは家で休ませます。
Today, I will let them rest at home.
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.
仕事を探している人と話しました。
I spoke with a person who is looking for work.
もらえませんか？
morae mase n ka
would you allow me?
This is a polite request ending. Use a rising intonation.
写真を撮ってもらえませんか？
Could you take a photo for me?
Words in this phrase
もらえ
morae
[moh-rah-eh]
can receive; can get
From もらう. Used to politely ask if you can receive something.
スプーンをもらえますか。
Could I have a spoon?
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite negative (part of ません)
「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.
はいていません。
I haven’t vomited.
ん
n
[n]
not
The final sound in the polite negative ending ません.
できません。
I can't do it.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Indicates a question with previous verb.
飲みませんか？
Won't you drink?
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