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How to Say ‘Could we have a table seat, please?’ in Japanese

席はテーブル席でお願いできますか。

seki wa teeburu seki de o negai deki masu ka

[seh-kee wah TAY-boo-roo seh-kee de oh neh-guy deki mahs kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking for a table matters because many Japanese restaurants have 座敷 "tatami floor seating" or counter seats, which don't work with a wheelchair.

Phrase Breakdown

席はテーブル席で

seki wa teeburu seki de

as for the seat, a table seat

席 (seki) means 'seat'. は marks the topic. テーブル席 (tēburu-seki) is a table seat, as opposed to a counter or tatami seat. で means 'as / with'.

Example

テーブル席で食べたいです。

I'd like to eat at a table.

Words in this phrase

席

seki

[seh-kee]

seat

A seat or seating section at a venue.

Example

前の方の席はありますか。

Are there seats toward the front?

は

[wah]

topic marker; as for

Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

テーブル

teeburu

[TAY-boo-roo]

table

Loanword for a table.

Example

テーブルを予約しました。

I reserved a table.

席

seki

[seh-kee]

seat

A seat or seating section at a venue.

Example

前の方の席はありますか。

Are there seats toward the front?

で

[de]

by; with; using

A particle that shows the method or means used to do something.

Example

カードで払えますか。

Can I pay by card?

お願いできますか。

o negai deki masu ka

could I ask for that?

A polite request: 'Is it possible to ask for...?' Raise your tone slightly on the final か.

Example

予約をお願いできますか。

Could I make a reservation?

Words in this phrase

お

[oh]

honorific prefix

お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.

Example

チケットを二枚お願いします。

Two tickets, please.

願い

negai

[neh-guy]

request; favor

願い refers to a wish or request, and in お願い it forms a polite request expression.

Example

お願いがあります。

I have a request.

でき

deki

[deki]

can do; be able to

Potential form element showing ability or possibility, from できる.

Example

今後も相談できたらうれしいです。

I would be happy if we could consult in the future too.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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