Japanese

Ikura Desu Ka Meaning: How to Say “How Much?” in Japanese

Hello, I’m Kodak. You find something you like in a Japanese shop, but there is no visible price tag. Learner How do I ask, “How much is this?” in Japanese? Kodak Point to the item and say: これ、いくらですか？ Kore, ikura desu ka? How much is this? Quick answer いくらですか (ikura desu ka) means “How much is it?” To ask about a specific item, say: これはいくらですか？ Kore wa ikura desu ka? How much is this? In natural conversation, Japanese speakers often shorten it to: これ、いくらですか？ In this article, you will learn: ① what いくらですか means ② how to […]

Irasshaimase Meaning: How to Pronounce It and How Should You Respond?

Hello, I’m Kodak. You enter a shop in Japan, and several staff members suddenly call out: いらっしゃいませ！ Irasshaimase! Learner Everyone is looking at me! Am I supposed to say something back? Kodak Don’t worry. In most Japanese shops and restaurants, you do not need to give a verbal response. A small nod, a smile, or simply continuing inside is completely natural. Quick answer いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) is the standard greeting used by staff to welcome customers into a shop, restaurant, hotel, or other service setting. It is commonly translated as “Welcome!” or “Please come in!” Customers are not […]

Toriaezu Nama Meaning: Why Japanese People Say “Draft Beer First”

Hello, I’m Kodak. You enter a Japanese izakaya with a group. Before anyone studies the long drink menu, someone says: とりあえず生！ Toriaezu nama! Draft beer to start! Learner Why does 生 (nama) mean beer? I learned that it means “raw”! Kodak Your dictionary is not wrong. 生 can mean “raw,” “fresh,” “live,” or “unprocessed.” But in an izakaya, 生 is a common abbreviation of 生ビール (nama bīru)—draft beer. Quick answer とりあえず生 (toriaezu nama) means: “A draft beer to start.” “Draft beer for now.” “Let’s start with a draft beer.” It is a casual phrase commonly associated with […]

Nomihoudai Meaning: How All-You-Can-Drink Works in Japan

Hello, I’m Kodak. You open a Japanese izakaya menu and see this large, attractive phrase: 2時間飲み放題 Ni-jikan nomihōdai Two-hour all-you-can-drink Traveler Does that mean I can order every drink on the menu for two full hours? Kodak Not necessarily. 飲み放題 (nomihōdai) means “all-you-can-drink”, but each restaurant sets conditions such as the eligible drink list, time limit, last-order time, food requirement, and whether everyone in the group must join. Quick answer 飲み放題 (nomihōdai) is a fixed-price plan that lets you order drinks from a specified menu during a specified period. It does not automatically mean every drink […]

Otoshi Meaning in Japan: Why Did I Get Charged for Food I Didn’t Order?

Hello, I’m Kodak. You sit down at an izakaya in Japan, order a drink, and suddenly receive a small plate of food. You did not order it. Later, you look at the bill and see an extra charge: お通し　500円 Otōshi: ¥500 Traveler Wait—I didn’t order this! Is the restaurant charging me for a mistake? Kodak Probably not. The small dish is likely an お通し (otōshi). At many Japanese izakayas, it is served automatically and functions as a kind of table or cover charge that includes a small appetizer. Quick answer お通し (otōshi) is a small dish served […]

Japanese Izakaya Phrases: A Complete Guide to Drinking and Dining in Japan

Hello, I’m Kodak. Walking into a Japanese izakaya can be one of the most enjoyable experiences of a trip to Japan. It can also feel confusing at first. Why did a dish arrive before I ordered food? What does とりあえず生 mean? When should I say 乾杯? Does 飲み放題 include every drink? How do I call the server? How do I ask for the bill? Traveler I want to try a real izakaya, but I’m worried I won’t understand the system. Kodak You do not need perfect Japanese. A few phrases—and an understanding of four important customs—will take you […]

Kanpai Meaning in Japanese: How to Say “Cheers” in Japanese

Hello, I’m Kodak. You are sitting at a Japanese restaurant with friends. Everyone receives a drink, raises a glass, and says: 乾杯！ Kanpai! Cheers! Learner So kanpai simply means “cheers” in Japanese, right? Kodak That is the best beginner translation! But there are two useful details to remember: ① Kanpai is specifically connected to making a toast. ② Its kanji literally suggest “emptying the cup,” but you do not normally have to finish your whole drink at once. Quick answer 乾杯 (kanpai) means “cheers,” “a toast,” or “to make a toast” in Japanese. People usually say 乾杯！ […]

Oshi Meaning in Japanese: “Favorite,” Idol Slang & Oshikatsu Explained

Hello, I’m Kodak. If you watch anime, follow Japanese idols, or spend time in VTuber communities, you may see people say: この子が私の推し！ Kono ko ga watashi no oshi! This person is my oshi! Learner What is an oshi? Does it just mean “favorite”? Kodak “Favorite” is often a good translation, but 推し (oshi) usually includes another idea: This is the person or character I especially support, recommend, and want to succeed. Quick answer 推し (oshi) is a person, character, group, team, or sometimes thing that you especially like and actively support. Depending on the context, it can […]

Emoi Meaning in Japanese: What Does エモい Slang Mean?

Hello, I’m Kodak. Imagine that you see an old photo of your friends at sunset. The picture is slightly blurry, the colors have faded, and it brings back memories you cannot fully explain. A Japanese speaker might look at it and say: この写真、エモい。 Kono shashin, emoi. This photo is so emoi. Learner But what does emoi mean in English? “Emotional”? “Nostalgic”? “Beautiful”? Kodak Sometimes it can mean any of those—but エモい does not have one perfect English translation. Its core meaning is: “This stirs a deep, hard-to-explain feeling in me.” Quick answer エモい (emoi) is casual Japanese […]

Gachi Meaning in Japanese: ガチで, Slang Usage & Gachi vs Maji

Hello, I’m Kodak. Imagine that your Japanese friend says: 明日からガチで勉強する。 Ashita kara gachi de benkyō suru. I’m going to study seriously starting tomorrow. Later, you tell them an unbelievable story, and they reply: それ、ガチ？ Sore, gachi? Is that for real? Learner The first sentence means “seriously,” but the second means “true”? What does gachi actually mean? Kodak Both meanings come from the same core image: “This is real and serious—not fake, playful, staged, or half-hearted.” Quick answer ガチ (gachi) is casual Japanese slang meaning: ・serious ・genuine or real ・not joking ・not fake or staged ・all-out or […]