How to Say ‘I'd like to have a meal with my family.’ in Japanese
家族で食事をしたいのですが。
kazoku de shokuji o shi tai no desu ga
[kah-zoh-koo deh shoh-koo-jee oh shee tie noh dess gah]
💬 Usage Tip: [〜たいのですが] softens what you want so it sounds less blunt than just saying [食事をしたいです]. This pattern is very useful in service situations: [予約したいのですが] "I'd like to make a reservation..."
Phrase Breakdown
家族で
kazoku de
with family
Indicates doing something together with one’s family.
家族でレストランに行きます。
We go to a restaurant with the family.
Words in this phrase
家族
kazoku
[kah-zoh-koo]
family
Refers to one's family or family members as a group.
家族で食事をしたいので、席を探しています。
We want to dine as a family, so we are looking for seats.
で
de
[deh]
with; as; by
A particle that shows the group, method, or situation; here it means 'with/as a family.'
家族でゆっくり食事をしたいです。
We want to enjoy a meal leisurely as a family.
食事をしたいのですが
shokuji o shi tai no desu ga
I’d like to have a meal, but...
A polite way to say you want to eat, often leading into a request or question.
少し食事をしたいのですが、いいですか。
I’d like to have a little meal; is that okay?
Words in this phrase
食事
shokuji
[shoh-koo-jee]
meal; dining
A polite word for eating a meal or dining, often used in restaurants.
家族で食事をしたいのですが、個室はありますか。
We would like to dine as a family; do you have a private room?
を
o
[oh]
object marker
A particle marking the direct object of the verb.
家族で食事をしたいです。
We want to dine as a family.
し
shi
[shee]
do
The stem of する, used to mean 'do' and to form many verbs.
家族で食事をしながら話します。
We talk while having a meal as a family.
たい
tai
[tie]
want to do
Attached to a verb stem to express desire to do something.
家族で食事をしたいです。
We want to dine as a family.
の
no
[noh]
nominalizer/explanatory tone
Adds an explanatory or softening nuance in polite speech.
家族で食事をしたいのですが、半個室はありますか。
We’d like to dine as a family; do you have a semi-private room?
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; are
A polite copula used to make statements polite.
家族で食事をしたいのです。
We would like to dine as a family.
が
ga
[gah]
but; and
A sentence-ending softener here, often used before making a request or asking for help.
家族で食事をしたいのですが、おすすめはありますか。
We’d like to dine as a family; do you have any recommendations?
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