How to Say ‘It looks like one more person will be joining.’ in Japanese
一人増えそうなんですが
hitori fue sou na n desu ga
[hi-to-ri foo-EH soh nah n dess gah]
💬 Usage Tip: 増えそう means "looks likely to increase", and the trailing んですが "but..." softly opens a request without finishing it.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Leaving the sentence hanging on が invites the staff to respond, which sounds much more polite than asking outright.
Phrase Breakdown
一人
hitori
[hi-to-ri]
one person
Refers to a single individual.
私は一人で来ました。
I came alone.
増えそうなんですが
fue sou na n desu ga
looks like it will increase, but...
増える means 'to increase'. そう means 'likely'. なんですが softly introduces a request.
雨が降りそうなんですが。
It looks like it might rain, though.
Words in this phrase
増え
fue
[foo-EH]
increase (stem)
Stem of 増える, meaning to increase in number.
お客さんが増えました。
The number of guests increased.
そう
sou
[soh]
seems; looks (like)
Adds “looks/seems” based on appearance. Very common when reacting to food on a date.
それ、美味しそうですね。どこで買ったんですか。
That looks delicious. Where did you buy it?
な
na
[nah]
-like; adjectival linker
Connects よう to a noun, making a phrase like 'family-like.'
家族のような雰囲気は魅力的です。
A family-like atmosphere is attractive.
ん
n
[n]
(explanatory n)
Casual form of の; adds a tone of seeking or giving an explanation, often before です.
どうしたんですか。
What happened?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
が
ga
[gah]
(softening ending)
Ending a sentence with ga softens a request politely.
お願いしたいんですが。
I'd like to ask a favor...
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