How to Say ‘I'll go ask the staff.’ in Japanese
ちょっと店員さんに聞いてきますね。
chotto ten'in san ni kii te ki masu ne
[choht-toh TEN-een san Ni KEE-ee te kee mahs ne]
Phrase Breakdown
ちょっと店員さんに
chotto ten'in san ni
the shop staff, quickly
ちょっと softens the sentence ('just quickly'). 店員さん means shop staff, and に marks who you ask. Hold the small っ as a short pause: cho-t-to.
ちょっと店員さんに頼んでみます。
I'll just try asking the staff.
Words in this phrase
ちょっと
chotto
[choht-toh]
a little; just a moment
ちょっと softens the command and means for a moment.
ちょっとまってね。
Wait a moment, okay?
店員
ten'in
[TEN-een]
store staff; clerk
An employee working in a shop, bar, or restaurant.
店員に水を頼んだ。
I asked the staff for water.
さん
san
[san]
Mr.; Ms.; polite suffix
A polite suffix added to a person's name or role.
お医者さんが来ました。
The doctor came.
に
ni
[Ni]
to
Indicates direction or destination.
駅に行きます。
I am going to the station.
聞いてきますね。
kii te ki masu ne
I'll go and ask.
聞いて + きます means 'go ask and come back.' ね keeps the tone friendly.
先生に聞いてきますね。
I'll go ask the teacher.
Words in this phrase
聞い
kii
[KEE-ee]
ask (te-stem)
Stem of 聞く, here meaning to ask someone a question.
道を聞いてみます。
I'll try asking the way.
て
te
[te]
te-form ending
Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.
ドアが開いて、入ります。
The door opens, and then I go in.
き
ki
[kee]
come (stem)
The first part of the verb came.
きましたのきです。
This is the き in きました.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
ね
ne
[ne]
isn't it; right
Sentence-ending particle that seeks agreement or adds friendliness.
今日は暑いですね。
It's hot today, isn't it?
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