How to Say ‘How many people’ in Japanese
何名様
nan mei sama
[nahn mei sama]
💬 Usage Tip: 名 (mei) is the polite counter for people, and 様 (sama) adds respect toward the guest. When you answer, drop the 様 and just say 三名です (san-mei desu) "three people", because you never honor yourself.
Phrase Breakdown
何
nan
[nahn]
how many; what number
A question word used to ask quantity or number.
注文で何人か確認します。
I check how many people there are for the order.
名
mei
[mei]
counter for people / guests
名 is a polite counter used to count people, especially customers or guests in formal situations like restaurants.
4名でお願いします。
Four people, please.
様
sama
[sama]
honorific suffix
A suffix used to show respect, often for males.
社長様はこちらです。
This way, Mr. President.
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