Hello, I’m Kodak.
You walk into a Japanese shop and immediately hear:
Irasshaimase!
Welcome!
With a few short phrases, a smile, and clear pointing, you can handle most everyday shopping situations.
すみません。
Sumimasen.
Excuse me.
これ、いくらですか？
Kore, ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
これ、ください。
Kore, kudasai.
This, please. / I’ll take this.
If you remember only those three expressions, you can already get a staff member’s attention, ask a price, and buy an item.
In this article, you will learn useful Japanese shopping phrases for:
② getting a staff member’s attention
③ asking where an item is
④ asking the price
⑤ checking colors, sizes, and stock
⑥ asking to see or try something
⑦ buying by pointing
⑧ requesting quantities
⑨ asking about discounts and tax-free shopping
⑩ paying by cash, card, or electronic payment
⑪ understanding common cashier questions
⑫ asking for bags, receipts, and gift wrapping
⑬ exchanging or returning an item
⑭ responding to polite customer-service Japanese
Essential Japanese Shopping Phrases: Quick Reference
Welcome.
すみません。
Excuse me.
これはありますか？
Do you have this?
これはいくらですか？
How much is this?
これを見せてください。
Please show me this.
試着してもいいですか？
May I try this on?
これ、ください。
This, please.
これを二つください。
Two of these, please.
カードは使えますか？
Can I use a card?
袋をお願いします。
A bag, please.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
すみません。
Excuse me.
これ、いくらですか？
How much is this?
これ、ください。
I’ll take this.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
1. Entering a Japanese Shop
When you enter a shop or restaurant, the staff will often say:
Irasshaimase.
Welcome. / Please come in.
This is a standard customer-service greeting. It welcomes you and lets you know that the staff have noticed your arrival.
You can simply smile, nod, or continue into the shop.
Welcome.
Customer: [smiles or nods]
No verbal response is necessary.
In a small independent shop, replying with こんにちは can also sound friendly.
Welcome. Hello.
Customer: こんにちは。
Hello.
For a more detailed explanation of the greeting and how to respond, see:
Irasshaimase Meaning: How to Pronounce It and How Should You Respond?
2. Getting a Staff Member’s Attention
The most useful phrase is:
Sumimasen.
Excuse me.
Use すみません before asking a question, requesting help, or calling a staff member.
すみません。これ、いくらですか？
Sumimasen. Kore, ikura desu ka?
Excuse me. How much is this?
すみません。トイレはどこですか？
Sumimasen. Toire wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me. Where is the restroom?
The context makes the meaning clear.
3. Asking Where an Item Is
Where Is This?
Kore wa doko desu ka?
Where is this?
This phrase is useful when showing a picture, product name, or shopping list to a staff member.
Excuse me. Where is this?
あちらです。
It is over there.
Do You Have This?
Kore wa arimasu ka?
Do you have this?
You can show a photo on your phone while saying the phrase.
この商品はありますか？
Kono shōhin wa arimasu ka?
Do you have this product?
英語のメニューはありますか？
Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?
Do you have an English menu?
Where Is the Clothing Section?
Fuku uriba wa doko desu ka?
Where is the clothing section?
食品売り場はどこですか？
Shokuhin uriba wa doko desu ka?
Where is the food section?
レジはどこですか？
Reji wa doko desu ka?
Where is the register?
Then say これはありますか？ or これはどこですか？
4. Asking the Price in Japanese
The most useful phrase for asking a price is:
Kore wa ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
In natural conversation, the particle は is often omitted:
Kore, ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
これ、いくらですか？ is practical and natural with shop staff.
How Much Is That?
Sore wa ikura desu ka?
How much is that near you?
あれはいくらですか？
Are wa ikura desu ka?
How much is that over there?
How Much Is One?
Hitotsu ikura desu ka?
How much is one?
How Much Is It Altogether?
Zenbu de ikura desu ka?
How much is it altogether?
Approximately How Much?
Daitai ikura desu ka?
Approximately how much is it?
For a detailed explanation of いくらですか, pronunciation, grammar, and the famous salmon-roe pun, see:
Ikura Desu Ka Meaning: How to Say “How Much?” in Japanese
5. Asking About Sizes
Do You Have a Larger Size?
Motto ōkii saizu wa arimasu ka?
Do you have a larger size?
Do You Have a Smaller Size?
Motto chiisai saizu wa arimasu ka?
Do you have a smaller size?
Do You Have This in Medium?
Kore no emu-saizu wa arimasu ka?
Do you have this in medium?
Medium Size, Please
Emu-saizu o kudasai.
Medium size, please.
これのMサイズをください。
Kore no emu-saizu o kudasai.
I’d like this in medium.
Mサイズはありますか？ asks whether it is available.
Mサイズをください。 says you want it.
6. Asking About Colors
Do You Have This in Black?
Kore no kuro wa arimasu ka?
Do you have this in black?
Do You Have Any Other Colors?
Hoka no iro wa arimasu ka?
Do you have any other colors?
The Red One, Please
Akai no o kudasai.
The red one, please.
この赤いのをください。
Kono akai no o kudasai.
This red one, please.
赤いの means “the red one.”
7. Asking to See an Item
If you only want to inspect an item, do not immediately say これをください.
Kore o misete kudasai.
Please show me this.
Excuse me. Please show me this.
Staff: はい、どうぞ。
Certainly. Here you are.
Customer: ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
これをください usually means you want to receive or buy it.
8. Asking to Try On Clothes
Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?
May I try this on?
You can point to the clothing item while asking.
これ、試着してもいいですか？
Kore, shichaku shite mo ii desu ka?
May I try this on?
Where Is the Fitting Room?
Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka?
Where is the fitting room?
It Is Too Big
Sukoshi ōkii desu.
It is a little big.
It Is Too Small
Sukoshi chiisai desu.
It is a little small.
It Fits Perfectly
Pittari desu.
It fits perfectly.
Some accessories, cosmetics, underwear, or sale items may have special restrictions.
9. Buying an Item by Pointing
When you have decided to buy, say:
Kore, kudasai.
This, please. / I’ll take this.
The full grammatical form is:
Kore o kudasai.
Please give me this. / I’ll take this.
これ、ください is natural, useful, and easy to remember.
I’ll Choose This One
Kore ni shimasu.
I’ll choose this one. / I’ll go with this.
これにします emphasizes your decision after comparing options.
Which one would you like?
Customer: これにします。
I’ll go with this one.
For a detailed explanation of pointing, particles, quantities, and related expressions, see:
Kore Kudasai Meaning: How to Say “This, Please” in Japanese
10. Asking for More Than One Item
One of These, Please
Kore o hitotsu kudasai.
One of these, please.
Two of These, Please
Kore o futatsu kudasai.
Two of these, please.
Three of These, Please
Kore o mittsu kudasai.
Three of these, please.
This One and This One, Please
Kore to kore o kudasai.
This one and this one, please.
One of This and Two of That
Kore o hitotsu to, sore o futatsu kudasai.
One of this and two of that, please.
For many everyday items, the general forms 一つ, 二つ, 三つ work well enough.
11. Asking About Discounts and Sales
Is This on Sale?
Kore wa sēru desu ka?
Is this on sale?
Is It Discounted?
Kore wa waribiki sarete imasu ka?
Is this discounted?
Can It Be Cheaper?
Mō sukoshi yasuku narimasu ka?
Can it be a little cheaper?
This question may be possible in some markets, antique shops, or informal sales, but bargaining is not expected in every Japanese store.
It is safer to ask whether there is a sale, coupon, or discount rather than demanding a lower price.
12. Asking About Tax-Free Shopping
Menzei dekimasu ka?
Can I buy this tax-free?
Is This Store Tax-Free?
Kono mise wa menzei desu ka?
Is this store tax-free?
Where Is the Tax-Free Counter?
Menzei kauntā wa doko desu ka?
Where is the tax-free counter?
Do I Need My Passport?
Pasupōto wa hitsuyō desu ka?
Do I need my passport?
Tax-free eligibility and procedures can depend on the store, purchase, and current rules, so follow the staff’s instructions.
13. Paying at the Register
Where Is the Register?
Reji wa doko desu ka?
Where is the register?
I Would Like to Pay
Okaikei o onegai shimasu.
The bill, please. / I’d like to pay.
In a normal retail shop, bringing the item to the register is usually enough. In a restaurant, お会計をお願いします is useful.
Can I Pay Here?
Koko de haraemasu ka?
Can I pay here?
14. Asking About Payment Methods
Can I Use a Credit Card?
Kurejitto kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use a credit card?
Can I Use a Card?
Kādo wa tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use a card?
Can I Pay in Cash?
Genkin de haraemasu ka?
Can I pay in cash?
Can I Use Electronic Money?
Denshi manē wa tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use electronic money?
Can I Use This Payment App?
Kore wa tsukaemasu ka?
Can I use this?
You can show the card, app, or payment screen as you ask.
15. Paying by Cash or Card
By Cash, Please
Genkin de onegai shimasu.
Cash, please.
By Card, Please
Kādo de onegai shimasu.
By card, please.
One Payment, Please
Ikkai-barai de onegai shimasu.
One payment, please.
Can We Pay Separately?
Betsubetsu ni haraemasu ka?
Can we pay separately?
We Will Pay Together
Issho ni haraimasu.
We will pay together.
16. Common Questions from Japanese Cashiers
At the register, the staff may ask several standard questions.
Do You Need a Bag?
Fukuro wa goriyō desu ka?
Would you like a bag?
袋は必要ですか？
Fukuro wa hitsuyō desu ka?
Do you need a bag?
Do You Have a Point Card?
Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka?
Do you have a point card?
Would You Like a Receipt?
Reshīto wa goriyō desu ka?
Would you like the receipt?
Would You Like It Heated?
Atatamemasu ka?
Would you like it heated?
Would You Like Chopsticks?
Ohashi wa otsuke shimasu ka?
Would you like chopsticks?
Is This for Here or to Go?
Tennai de omeshiagari desu ka?
Will you eat here?
お持ち帰りですか？
Omochikaeri desu ka?
Is it to go?
You can answer most questions with はい, いいえ, or one short phrase.
17. How to Answer Common Cashier Questions
Yes, Please
Hai, onegai shimasu.
Yes, please.
No, Thank You
Iie, kekkō desu.
No, thank you.
大丈夫です。
Daijōbu desu.
I’m okay. / No, thank you.
I Have One
Motte imasu.
I have one.
I Do Not Have One
Motte imasen.
I do not have one.
For Here
Tennai de onegai shimasu.
For here, please.
To Go
Mochikaeri de onegai shimasu.
To go, please.
18. Asking for a Shopping Bag
A Bag, Please
Fukuro o onegai shimasu.
A bag, please.
I Do Not Need a Bag
Fukuro wa irimasen.
I do not need a bag.
袋は大丈夫です。
Fukuro wa daijōbu desu.
I’m okay without a bag.
Could I Have One More Bag?
Fukuro o mō ichimai itadakemasu ka?
Could I have one more bag?
19. Asking for a Receipt
A Receipt, Please
Reshīto o onegai shimasu.
A receipt, please.
I Do Not Need the Receipt
Reshīto wa irimasen.
I do not need the receipt.
Could I Have a Formal Receipt?
Ryōshūsho o onegai shimasu.
A formal receipt, please.
Please Write This Name on It
Kono namae de onegai shimasu.
Please use this name.
20. Asking for Gift Wrapping
Can You Gift-Wrap This?
Purezento-yō ni tsutsunde moraemasu ka?
Could you wrap this as a gift?
Gift Wrapping, Please
Purezento-yō de onegai shimasu.
Gift wrapping, please.
Please Wrap Them Separately
Betsubetsu ni tsutsunde kudasai.
Please wrap them separately.
Please Put Them in the Same Bag
Onaji fukuro ni irete kudasai.
Please put them in the same bag.
21. Asking About Returns and Exchanges
Can I Return This?
Kore wa henpin dekimasu ka?
Can I return this?
Can I Exchange This?
Kore wa kōkan dekimasu ka?
Can I exchange this?
I Would Like to Exchange the Size
Saizu o kōkan shitai desu.
I would like to exchange the size.
There Is a Problem with This Item
Kono shōhin ni mondai ga arimasu.
There is a problem with this item.
It Is Broken
Kowarete imasu.
It is broken.
I Bought It Yesterday
Kinō kaimashita.
I bought it yesterday.
Here Is the Receipt
Reshīto wa kochira desu.
Here is the receipt.
Keep your receipt and ask the store directly rather than assuming the policy.
22. Understanding Polite Staff Responses
When you make a request, the staff may reply:
Kashikomarimashita.
Certainly. / Understood.
This means the staff member has respectfully received and accepted your request.
Please wrap this as a gift.
Staff: かしこまりました。
Certainly.
It often communicates: “I respectfully understand your request and will take care of it.”
For a full comparison of かしこまりました, わかりました, 承知しました, and other business expressions, see:
Kashikomarimashita Meaning: かしこまりました vs わかりました
23. Other Common Japanese Customer-Service Phrases
Please Wait a Moment
Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
少々お待ちくださいませ。
Shōshō omachi kudasaimase.
Please wait a moment.
More customer-service-like.
I Will Check
Kakunin itashimasu.
I will check.
Please Come This Way
Kochira e dōzo.
This way, please.
This One, Correct?
Kochira desu ne.
This one, correct?
Is That All?
Ijō de yoroshii desu ka?
Will that be all?
Thank You for Waiting
Omatase itashimashita.
Thank you for waiting. / Sorry to keep you waiting.
Thank You Very Much
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.
24. What to Say When You Are Just Looking
A staff member may ask:
Nanika osagashi desu ka?
Are you looking for something?
If you do not need help, say:
Mite iru dake desu.
I’m just looking.
大丈夫です。ありがとうございます。
Daijōbu desu. Arigatō gozaimasu.
I’m okay, thank you.
When a staff member offers help, 大丈夫です often means, “I’m okay without help.”
25. Useful Phrases When You Do Not Understand
Please Say It Again
Mō ichido onegai shimasu.
Please say it one more time.
Please Speak Slowly
Yukkuri onegai shimasu.
Slowly, please.
ゆっくり話してください。
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
Please speak slowly.
I Do Not Understand
Sumimasen, wakarimasen.
Sorry, I do not understand.
Could You Write It Down?
Kaite itadakemasu ka?
Could you write it down?
Could You Show Me?
Misete itadakemasu ka?
Could you show me?
Could You Enter It on the Calculator?
Dentaku ni irete itadakemasu ka?
Could you enter it on the calculator?
Begin with すみません, show the screen clearly, and thank the staff afterward.
26. Complete Japanese Shopping Dialogue
Welcome.
Customer: [nods]
Customer: すみません。これ、いくらですか？
Excuse me. How much is this?
Staff: 2,500円です。
It is 2,500 yen.
Customer: ほかの色はありますか？
Do you have any other colors?
Staff: はい、黒と青があります。
Yes, we have black and blue.
Customer: 青を見せてください。
Please show me the blue one.
Staff: かしこまりました。少々お待ちください。
Certainly. Please wait a moment.
Staff: お待たせいたしました。こちらです。
Thank you for waiting. Here it is.
Customer: ありがとうございます。これ、試着してもいいですか？
Thank you. May I try this on?
Staff: はい。試着室はこちらです。
Yes. The fitting room is this way.
Customer: ぴったりです。これ、ください。
It fits perfectly. I’ll take this.
Staff: かしこまりました。
Certainly.
Staff: 袋はご利用ですか？
Would you like a bag?
Customer: はい、お願いします。カードは使えますか？
Yes, please. Can I use a card?
Staff: はい、ご利用いただけます。
Yes, you can.
Customer: カードでお願いします。
By card, please.
Staff: ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
Customer: ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
27. Complete Convenience-Store Dialogue
Welcome.
Customer: [places items on the counter]
Staff: 袋はご利用ですか？
Would you like a bag?
Customer: はい、お願いします。
Yes, please.
Staff: こちら、温めますか？
Would you like this heated?
Customer: はい、お願いします。
Yes, please.
Staff: お箸はお付けしますか？
Would you like chopsticks?
Customer: いいえ、大丈夫です。
No, thank you.
Staff: 合計で780円です。
The total is 780 yen.
Customer: カードでお願いします。
By card, please.
Staff: ありがとうございました。
Thank you very much.
Customer: ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
28. Complete Souvenir-Shop Dialogue
Excuse me. How much is one of these sweets?
Staff: 一つ600円です。
One is 600 yen.
Customer: では、これを三つください。
Then, three of these, please.
Staff: かしこまりました。
Certainly.
Customer: 別々に包んでもらえますか？
Could you wrap them separately?
Staff: はい。プレゼント用ですか？
Yes. Are they gifts?
Customer: はい、お願いします。
Yes, please.
Staff: かしこまりました。
Certainly.
29. Japanese Shopping Phrases by Situation
いらっしゃいませ。
Welcome.
こんにちは。
Hello.
Getting help
すみません。
Excuse me.
これはありますか？
Do you have this?
これはどこですか？
Where is this?
Price
これ、いくらですか？
How much is this?
全部でいくらですか？
How much is it altogether?
Choosing
これを見せてください。
Please show me this.
これにします。
I’ll choose this.
これ、ください。
I’ll take this.
Clothing
試着してもいいですか？
May I try this on?
ほかのサイズはありますか？
Do you have another size?
ほかの色はありますか？
Do you have another color?
Payment
カードは使えますか？
Can I use a card?
現金でお願いします。
Cash, please.
カードでお願いします。
By card, please.
At the register
袋をお願いします。
A bag, please.
袋は要りません。
I do not need a bag.
レシートをお願いします。
A receipt, please.
Finishing
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
30. Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saying Irasshaimase Back to the Staff
いらっしゃいませ is said by the person welcoming the customer. A customer can simply nod or smile.
Mistake 2: Using Kore Kudasai Before Deciding to Buy
これを見せてください。
Please show me this.
You want to buy it:
これをください。
I’ll take this.
Mistake 3: Saying Ikura Without a Polite Ending
これ、いくら？
Better with unfamiliar staff:
これ、いくらですか？
Mistake 4: Assuming Every Store Accepts Cards
Ask カードは使えますか？ before beginning the payment process if you are unsure.
Mistake 5: Answering a Negative Question Too Quickly
Japanese yes-and-no answers can become confusing when the question is negative. When possible, answer with the specific thing you want.
Do you not need a bag?
Clear answer:
袋をお願いします。
A bag, please.
Or:
袋は要りません。
I do not need a bag.
Mistake 6: Copying Rough Anime Speech
Avoid commanding forms such as これをくれ with shop staff. Use ください or お願いします.
Mistake 7: Trying to Speak in Complete Sentences Every Time
In a real shop, gestures and context do much of the work. Short, polite phrases are often more useful than long sentences.
31. FAQ About Japanese Shopping Phrases
What are the most important Japanese shopping phrases?
The most useful phrases are すみません (“Excuse me”), これ、いくらですか (“How much is this?”), これ、ください (“This, please”), and ありがとうございます (“Thank you”).
How do you say “How much is this?” in Japanese?
Say これはいくらですか. In natural conversation, これ、いくらですか is also common.
How do you say “I’ll take this” in Japanese?
Say これをください or the spoken form これ、ください. これにします means “I’ll choose this one.”
How do you respond to irasshaimase?
You normally do not need to reply. A nod or smile is enough. In a small shop, you may optionally say こんにちは.
How do you ask if a store has an item?
Show or point to the item and say これはありますか, meaning “Do you have this?”
How do you ask for another size?
Say ほかのサイズはありますか (“Do you have another size?”), もっと大きいサイズはありますか, or もっと小さいサイズはありますか.
How do you ask to try on clothes?
Say 試着してもいいですか, meaning “May I try this on?”
How do you ask if credit cards are accepted?
Say クレジットカードは使えますか or the shorter カードは使えますか.
How do you say “Cash, please” in Japanese?
Say 現金でお願いします.
How do you say “By card, please” in Japanese?
Say カードでお願いします.
How do you ask for a shopping bag?
Say 袋をお願いします. To refuse a bag, say 袋は要りません or 袋は大丈夫です.
How do you ask for a receipt?
Say レシートをお願いします. For a formal receipt, say 領収書をお願いします.
How do you ask for gift wrapping?
Say プレゼント用に包んでもらえますか or プレゼント用でお願いします.
How do you say “I’m just looking” in Japanese?
Say 見ているだけです. You can also say 大丈夫です。ありがとうございます when politely declining help.
What does kashikomarimashita mean in a shop?
It means “Certainly,” “Understood,” or “I will take care of that.” It shows that the staff member respectfully received and accepted your request.
What should I say if I do not understand the staff?
Say もう一度お願いします (“Please say it again”), ゆっくりお願いします (“Slowly, please”), or すみません、わかりません (“Sorry, I do not understand”).
Can I shop in Japan without speaking Japanese?
Yes. Pointing, photos, menu pictures, calculators, and translation apps can support communication. A few polite phrases make the interaction smoother.
32. Summary: Japanese Shopping Phrases
いらっしゃいませ = Welcome
You do not need to reply.
● Getting attention
すみません = Excuse me
● Asking the price
これ、いくらですか？ = How much is this?
● Asking to see an item
これを見せてください = Please show me this
● Asking to try something on
試着してもいいですか？ = May I try this on?
● Buying an item
これ、ください = This, please / I’ll take this
● Choosing a size or color
これのMサイズはありますか？ = Do you have this in medium?
ほかの色はありますか？ = Do you have another color?
● Payment
カードは使えますか？ = Can I use a card?
カードでお願いします = By card, please
現金でお願いします = Cash, please
● At the register
袋をお願いします = A bag, please
レシートをお願いします = A receipt, please
● If you do not understand
もう一度お願いします = Please say it again
ゆっくりお願いします = Slowly, please
● Finishing the interaction
ありがとうございます = Thank you
Start with this simple sequence:
すみません。
Excuse me.
これ、いくらですか？
How much is this?
これ、ください。
I’ll take this.
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
With these phrases, clear pointing, and a friendly attitude, you can complete many everyday purchases confidently.
Related Guides
- Irasshaimase Meaning: How to Pronounce It and How Should You Respond?
- Ikura Desu Ka Meaning: How to Say “How Much?” in Japanese
- Kore Kudasai Meaning: How to Say “This, Please” in Japanese
- Kashikomarimashita Meaning: かしこまりました vs わかりました
References
- The Japan Foundation, IRODORI Starter Lesson 16: Shopping Expressions
- The Japan Foundation, IRODORI Grammar Notes
- The Japan Foundation, Erin’s Challenge: Asking Prices
- JF Standard: Practical Shopping Communication
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Essential Travel Information