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How to Say ‘I was wondering if there's a good medicine.’ in Japanese

何かいい薬はないかと思いまして。

nani ka ii kusuri wa nai ka to omoi mashi te

[NAH-nee kah ee-ee koo-SOO-ree wah nai ka toh oh-MOY mah-shee teh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Ending on 思いまして "I was thinking" and stopping there leaves the request implied. It sounds modest and polite, and staff will take it as a clear request for a recommendation.

Phrase Breakdown

何かいい薬はないか

nani ka ii kusuri wa nai ka

whether there's some good medicine

This is the content of what you were wondering. Say it smoothly as one phrase.

Example

何かいい本はないか探しています。

I'm looking for a good book.

Words in this phrase

何

nani

[NAH-nee]

some (thing)

With か it forms 何か, 'something'.

Example

何か飲みますか。

Will you drink something?

か

[kah]

some- (indefinite)

After a question word, makes it indefinite: 何か = something.

Example

何か食べたいです。

I want to eat something.

いい

[ee-ee]

good; nice

A common adjective used to show approval or a positive impression.

Example

その考えはいいですね。

That idea is nice.

薬

kusuri

[koo-SOO-ree]

medicine; drug

General word for medicine or medication.

Example

毎日薬を飲みます。

I take medicine every day.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

ない

nai

[nai]

not

Indicates negation or absence.

Example

問題はない。

There is no problem.

か

[ka]

question particle

Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.

Example

行くか？

Shall we go?

と思いまして。

to omoi mashi te

I was thinking…

と quotes the thought, and 思いまして is the polite て-form. Ending here softly explains why you came.

Example

お聞きしようと思いまして。

I thought I'd ask you.

Words in this phrase

と

[toh]

(quotation marker)

Particle that marks what was said or written, like quotation marks.

Example

彼は「はい」と言いました。

He said "yes."

思い

omoi

[oh-MOY]

think

Stem of 思う, to think; here softens a request.

Example

行こうと思います。

I think I'll go.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite verb ending part

Part of polite verb forms used in formal speech.

Example

丁寧に話しました。

I spoke politely.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

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