How to Say ‘Excuse me, could we order?’ in Japanese
すみません、注文いいですか。
sumi mase n chuumon ii desu ka
[soo-mee mah-seh n choo-dehn ee dess kah]
Phrase Breakdown
すみません、
sumi mase n
excuse me
Gets the staff's attention. Pause briefly after it.
すみません、メニューください。
Excuse me, a menu please.
Words in this phrase
すみ
sumi
[soo-mee]
excuse me; sorry
A polite attention-getter and light apology. Used to call a pharmacist/staff or to be polite before asking for help.
すみません、薬剤師さん。
Excuse me, pharmacist.
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite negative (part of ません)
「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.
はいていません。
I haven’t vomited.
ん
n
[n]
(negative ending)
Contracted form of the polite negative ending, as in ありません.
今日は時間がありません。
I don't have time today.
注文いいですか。
chuumon ii desu ka
may I order?
A casual but polite way to ask to place an order. Raise your tone slightly at the end.
追加の注文いいですか。
May I order something more?
Words in this phrase
注文
chuumon
[choo-dehn]
Order
To request items in a restaurant or store.
コーヒーを注文します。
I will order a coffee.
いい
ii
[ee]
good; okay
いい expresses approval/choice: “This is fine.” Useful when accepting a recommendation.
これがいいです。
This one is fine.
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.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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