How to Say ‘I'd like to ask your advice about something.’ in Japanese
ちょっとご相談したいんですが
chotto go soudan shi tai n desu ga
[chotto go soh-dahn shi tie n dess gah]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a natural, polite opener at a Japanese pharmacy counter. Pharmacists there are used to giving advice on over-the-counter medicine.
Phrase Breakdown
ちょっとご相談
chotto go soudan
a quick consultation
ちょっと means 'a little' and softens the request. Pause at the small っ: cho-t-to. Then say gosoudan.
ちょっとご相談があるんですが。
I have a little something to ask you about.
Words in this phrase
ちょっと
chotto
[chotto]
a little
Indicating a small quantity or amount.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a little.
ご
go
[go]
polite prefix
An honorific prefix added to some nouns to make the expression more polite, common in customer service.
ご予約を確認します。
I will confirm your reservation.
相談
soudan
[soh-dahn]
consultation; advice
Refers to discussing a problem or asking for advice.
上司に相談しやすい職場は安心です。
A workplace where it is easy to consult your manager feels reassuring.
したいんですが
shi tai n desu ga
I'd like to do, but...
This polite, open-ended way of saying 'I want to' invites the listener to respond.
質問したいんですが。
I'd like to ask a question...
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shi]
to do
The verb for carrying out or performing an action.
そのことをしました。
I did that thing.
たい
tai
[tie]
want to
Added to a verb stem to express the speaker's desire to do something.
前の方の席を予約したいです。
I want to reserve seats toward the front.
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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