
Ordering a coffee: The style of coffee, such as espresso, latte, cappuccino, Americano, mocha, etc.
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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.
See breakdown →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.
See breakdown →こんにちは、いらっしゃいませ!
konnichiwa irasshai mase
Hello, welcome!
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.
See breakdown →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.
See breakdown →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.
See breakdown →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.
See breakdown →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?
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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