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Scene illustrating a Japanese-language ordering a coffee conversation

Key Phrases

何にしますか?

nani ni shi masu ka

What would you like to have?

ホットですか、それともアイスですか?

hotto desu ka sore to mo aisu desu ka

Hot or iced?

お砂糖やミルクは必要ですか?

o satou ya miruku wa hitsuyou desu ka

Do you need sugar or milk?

Skills You'll Learn

Ordering drinks in a cafe

カフェで飲み物を注文する

kafe de nomimono o chuumon suru

Discussing preferences (hot or iced)

希望を話す(ホットかアイス)

kibou o hanasu

Customizing your order (adding milk or sugar)

注文のカスタマイズ(ミルクや砂糖を加える)

chuumon no kasutamaizu

Lesson Roleplay

Imagine you're in a cozy Japanese café, ordering a refreshing iced Americano. You interact with the friendly barista, making choices about your drink like size and whether to add milk or sugar, all in Japanese. The dialogue helps you practice ordering drinks, asking for options, and understanding responses in a polite and casual setting.

こんにちは、いらっしゃいませ!何にしますか?

konnichiwa irasshai mase nani ni shi masu ka

Hello, welcome! What would you like to have?

こんにちは。アメリカーノを一つください。

konnichiwa ameri kaano o hito tsu kudasai

Hello. I'd like one Americano, please.

ホットですか、それともアイスですか?

hotto desu ka sore to mo aisu desu ka

Would you like it hot or iced?

アイスでお願いします。

aisu de o negai shi masu

Iced, please.

サイズはどうしますか?

saizu wa dou shi masu ka

What size would you like?

Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases

👋

こんにちは

konnichiwa

Hello

💬 A friendly greeting used throughout the day. It's the Japanese way to start any conversation!

🇯🇵 A simple greeting like [こんにちは] (kon-ni-chi-wa) can brighten someone's day, showcasing the importance of politeness in Japan.

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🎉

いらっしゃいませ

irasshai mase

Welcome

💬 Often used by shopkeepers or service staff. Pronounced as [いらっしゃいませ] (i-ra-ssha-i-ma-se).

🇯🇵 This phrase is an important part of the exceptional customer service standard in Japan.

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👋😊

こんにちは、いらっしゃいませ!

konnichiwa irasshai mase

Hello, welcome!

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🤔🍽️

何にしますか?

nani ni shi masu ka

What would you like to have?

💬 A useful phrase in both restaurants and cafes. Pronounced as [なににしますか] (na-ni-ni shi-ma-su-ka).

🇯🇵 Direct and polite, yet the decision is yours! A typical start to any order in Japan.

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☕1️⃣🙏

アメリカーノを一つください。

ameri kaano o hito tsu kudasai

One Americano, please.

💬 In Japan, often numbers precede the noun when ordering, as seen here.

🇯🇵 Japanese cafes serve a variety of Western coffee styles, offering a familiar taste to foreigners.

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🔥

ホットですか?

hotto desu ka

Hot?

💬 Simple and direct: [ホット] (hot-to).

🇯🇵 Japanese people often enjoy alternating between hot and cold beverages, even in different seasons.

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🧊

それともアイスですか?

sore to mo aisu desu ka

Or iced?

💬 Japanese for iced is the borrowed word [アイス] (ai-su).

🇯🇵 Having options is key, and in Japan, it’s common to customize drinks to your preference.

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🌡️🆚❄️

ホットですか、それともアイスですか?

hotto desu ka sore to mo aisu desu ka

Hot or iced?

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❄️🙏

アイスでお願いします。

aisu de o negai shi masu

Iced, please.

💬 Polite request: [お願いします] (o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su) can be used to make any request politely.

🇯🇵 Being polite and clear is appreciated in Japan’s service culture.

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🚀

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What Learners Are Saying

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

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.

Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer

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