🍶👨‍🦳🎁

How to Say ‘I brought some sake for Dad.’ in Japanese

お父さんには、お酒を持ってきました。

o tou san ni wa o sake o motsu te ki mashi ta

[o chi-chi sahn nee wah o sah-KEH wo MOHT teh kee mah-shee tah]

💬 Usage Tip: には here marks who something is meant for, and puts that person up front as the topic. は is said (wa).

Phrase Breakdown

お父さんには、

o tou san ni wa

for Father,

には here means 'for (this person)' and contrasts him with others. Pause after the comma.

Example

お母さんには、花を買いました。

For Mom, I bought flowers.

Words in this phrase

お

[o]

polite prefix

Prefix added for politeness.

Example

お名前は？

What is your name?

父

tou

[chi-chi]

father

Male parent; dad.

Example

父が帰ってきた。

Father came home.

さん

san

[sahn]

Mr./Ms. / polite title

A polite suffix attached to a person's role or name.

Example

業者さんが来ます。

The contractor will come.

に

[nee]

A particle showing direction or the target person of an action.

Example

先生に話しました。

I spoke to the teacher.

は

[wah]

topic marker; as for

Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

お酒を持ってきました。

o sake o motsu te ki mashi ta

I brought sake.

Say this as one smooth phrase. Remember the short pause at the small っ in 持って.

Example

ワインを持ってきました。

I brought wine.

Words in this phrase

お

[o]

polite prefix

Prefix added for politeness.

Example

お名前は？

What is your name?

酒

sake

[sah-KEH]

alcohol; sake

General word for alcoholic drinks, usually with polite お.

Example

お酒を飲みます。

I drink alcohol.

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

持っ

motsu

[MOHT]

hold; carry

Te-form stem of 持つ; with てくる it means to bring something.

Example

傘を持って行きます。

I'll take an umbrella.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

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.

き

[kee]

come (stem)

き is from 来る (くる). In ～てきた it means “has come to be / has been (up to now).”

Example

この女がどれほど巨大な組織に追われてきたか分かったか。

Did you understand how huge an organization has been chasing this woman?

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past stem

Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.

Example

昨日は多くのことを学びました。

I learned many things yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager