How to Say ‘Please wait at the counter over there.’ in Japanese
あちらのカウンターでお待ちください。
achira no kauntaa de o machi kudasai
[achira noh KAH-oon-tah de oh machi kudasai]
💬 Usage Tip: お待ちください (omachi kudasai) is a very polite way to ask someone to do something: お + the verb's stem + ください. You'll hear the same shape everywhere in shops, like お入りください "please come in" or お座りください "please have a seat".
🇯🇵 In Japan: In chain cafés like Starbucks or Doutor, you usually order and pay at the register, then move to a separate pickup counter. Staff will call out your drink or number there. Staff point to the spot with あちら (achira) "over there", a polite word they use with customers.
Phrase Breakdown
あちらのカウンターで
achira no kauntaa de
at that counter over there
あちら (achira) means 'over there' (polite). の links it to カウンター (kauntaa, 'counter'). で marks where the action happens. Hold the long 'aa' at the end of kauntaa.
あちらのカウンターで受け取れます。
You can pick it up at that counter.
Words in this phrase
あちら
achira
[achira]
over there
A polite form for indicating a direction or location.
試着室はあちらにあります。
The fitting room is over there.
の
no
[noh]
of; linking particle
A particle that connects words, like showing possession or linking a day and time.
土曜日の七時にお願いします。
Saturday at seven, please.
カウンター
kauntaa
[KAH-oon-tah]
counter
A service desk where staff help customers.
カウンターで荷物を預けます。
I check my bags at the counter.
で
de
[de]
at; in
A particle showing the place where an action happens.
中で受付をしましょう。
Let's check in inside.
お待ちください。
o machi kudasai
please wait
This is a polite request to wait, very common in shops and cafés.
こちらでお待ちください。
Please wait here.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
待ち
machi
[machi]
wait
Remain in expectation or anticipation for something.
待っています。
I am waiting.
ください
kudasai
[kudasai]
please (do)
Used to make a polite request.
手伝ってください。
Please help me.
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