How to Say ‘We're full at the moment’ in Japanese
ただいま満席でして
tadaima manseki deshi te
[tah-DAH-ee-mah manseki DEH-shee teh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Ending with でして trails off apologetically and leaves the "sorry" unsaid. Staff expect you to pick up the hint and choose to wait or take your order away.
Phrase Breakdown
ただいま
tadaima
[tah-DAH-ee-mah]
right now; at the moment
Polite word for 'currently', often used by staff.
ただいま準備中です。
We are preparing right now.
満席でして
manseki deshi te
we're full, so...
満席 (manseki) means 'all seats taken'. でして is a polite, soft 'and so...': manseki deshite.
今日は満席でして、すみません。
We're fully booked today, sorry.
Words in this phrase
満席
manseki
[manseki]
Full
Used to describe a place, such as a restaurant, that has no available seats.
レストランは満席です。
The restaurant is full.
でし
deshi
[DEH-shee]
is (polite, te-form part)
Polite copula でし used before て to soften or explain.
雨でして、遅れました。
It was raining, so I was late.
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.
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