Japanese Convenience Store: Complete Phrase List

Looking for a specific phrase you’ll hear or need to say in a Japanese convenience store? This page is a complete reference list, with phrases organized by situation: before checkout, at the register, after checkout, extra services, asking for help, bonus vocabulary, and FAQ.

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Jump to Section

Before Checkout:

• Entering the Store
• Finding & Asking About Items
• Hot Food Counter & Coffee Machines

At the Register:

• Heating Food
• Utensils
• Plastic Bags
• Age Verification
• Payment
• Receipts
• Self-Checkout

After Checkout:

• Leaving the Store
• Eating in the Store

Extra Services:

• ATM
• Tickets
• Shipping
• Copy Machine
• Bills

Asking for Help

Bonus Vocabulary

FAQ

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Before Checkout

Before you reach the checkout, you may need to find an item, ask a question, or get help from a staff member. Here are the most common phrases you’ll hear and the ones you’ll need to say while shopping.

• Entering the Store
• Finding & Asking About Items
• Hot Food Counter & Coffee Machines

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Entering the Store

You won’t usually need to say anything when you walk in, but these are the greetings and phrases you’re most likely to hear as you enter.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
いらっしゃいませ	irasshaimase	welcome	said to everyone who enters, no response needed
こんにちは	konnichiwa	hello	sometimes used during daytime hours instead
少々お待ちください	Shoushou omachi kudasai	One moment, please.	if they need you to wait briefly
どうぞごゆっくり	Douzo goyukkuri	Take your time.	said if you seem to be browsing

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
すみません	sumimasen	excuse me	your all-purpose way to get attention
トイレを借りてもいいですか？	Toire o karite mo ii desu ka?	May I use the restroom?	polite even if you’re just browsing

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Finding & Asking About Items

This is the most common exchange in the store. You’re looking for something, or you want to know more about it before you buy.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
何かお探しですか？	Nanika osagashi desu ka?	Are you looking for something?	offered if you seem to be searching
こちらになります	Kochira ni narimasu	Here it is.	pointing out an item’s location
申し訳ございません、こちらは在庫がございません	Moushiwake gozaimasen, kochira wa zaiko ga gozaimasen	I’m sorry, we don’t have that in stock.	polite way of saying something is unavailable
こちらは季節限定商品です	Kochira wa kisetsu gentei shouhin desu	This is a seasonal item.	for limited-time snacks or drinks

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
これはどこにありますか？	Kore wa doko ni arimasu ka?	Where is this?	show a photo or point at packaging
_____ はありますか？	_____ wa arimasu ka?	Do you have _____ ?	fill in the item name
これをください	Kore o kudasai	This one, please.	works for almost anything, just point
いくらですか？	Ikura desu ka?	How much is it?	asking for the price of something
これは辛いですか？	Kore wa karai desu ka?	Is this spicy?	useful for unfamiliar snacks or hot food
賞味期限はいつですか？	Shoumi kigen wa itsu desu ka?	What’s the best-before date?	for perishable items
おすすめは何ですか？	Osusume wa nan desu ka?	What do you recommend?	if unsure between similar products

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Hot Food Counter & Coffee Machines

For fried snacks behind the counter and self-serve coffee machines, where you’ll usually need to specify size or temperature.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
サイズはいかがしますか？	Saizu wa ikaga shimasu ka?	What size would you like?	for coffee or fried food
ホットとアイス、どちらになさいますか？	Hotto to aisu, dochira ni nasaimasu ka?	Hot or iced, which would you like?	for coffee
カップはこちらでお渡しします	Kappu wa kochira de owatashi shimasu	I’ll hand you the cup here.	for self-serve coffee machines

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ホットコーヒーをお願いします	Hotto koohii o onegaishimasu	A hot coffee, please.
アイスコーヒーをお願いします	Aisu koohii o onegaishimasu	An iced coffee, please.
Mサイズでお願いします	Emu saizu de onegaishimasu	A medium, please.	swap in S (esu) or L (eru) as needed
コーヒーマシンはどこですか？	Koohii mashin wa doko desu ka?	Where is the coffee machine?
これは揚げたてですか？	Kore wa agetate desu ka?	Is this freshly fried?	for fried chicken or croquettes
これは揚げたてですか？	Kore wa agetate desu ka?	Is this freshly fried?	for fried chicken or croquettes
これ一つください	Kore o kudasai	This one, please.	works for almost any hot food item, just point

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At the Register

Most of the conversation happens here, from confirming your age or heating food to paying and getting a receipt. These are the phrases you’ll hear from the cashier and the easiest ways to answer.

• Heating Food
• Utensils
• Plastic Bags
• Age Verification
• Payment
• Receipts
• Self-Checkout

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Heating Food

Convenience stores will often ask if you’d like ready-made meals heated before they’re bagged.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
温めますか？	Atatamemasu ka?	Should I heat this up?	asked for bento, rice balls, hot food
少々お待ちください	Shoushou omachi kudasai	One moment, please.	if they need you to wait briefly
少々お時間いただきます	Shoushou ojikan itadakimasu	This will take a moment.	if heating takes longer than usual

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
はい、お願いします	Hai, onegaishimasu	Yes, please.	accepting any of the above
大丈夫です	Daijoubu desu	No thank you, I’m okay.	the meaning flips here, so this declines
温めてください	Atatamete kudasai	Please heat this up.	if they don’t ask first
これだけ温めてもらえますか？	Kore dake atatamete moraemasu ka?	Could you heat only this?	for items you’ll eat part now, part later

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Utensils

Cashiers will usually ask whether you need chopsticks, a spoon, or a fork with your purchase.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
お箸はお付けしますか？	Ohashi wa otsuke shimasu ka?	Would you like chopsticks?
スプーンはお付けしますか？	Supuun wa otsuke shimasu ka?	Would you like a spoon?	common for desserts, soups
フォークはお付けしますか？	Fooku wa otsuke shimasu ka?	Would you like a fork?	common for salads, pasta
何本お付けしますか？	Nanbon otsuke shimasu ka?	How many would you like?	when buying several items or eating with others

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
はい、お願いします	Hai, onegaishimasu	Yes, please.	accepting any of the above
大丈夫です	Daijoubu desu	No thank you, I’m okay.	the meaning flips here, so this declines
お箸を一膳お願いします	Ohashi o ichizen onegaishimasu	One pair of chopsticks, please.
スプーンをもう一つもらえますか？	Supuun o mou hitotsu moraemasu ka?	Could I get one more spoon?	swap in chopsticks (ohashi) or fork (fooku) as needed

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Plastic Bags

Plastic bags aren’t free in Japan, so you’ll almost always be asked whether you need one at checkout.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
袋は要りますか？	Fukuro wa irimasu ka?	Do you need a bag?
こちらお使いですか？	Kochira otsukai desu ka?	Are you using this?	referring to a bag or box you brought yourself
お箸は袋にお入れしますか？	Ohashi wa fukuro ni oire shimasu ka?	Should I put the chopsticks in the bag?

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
大丈夫です	Daijoubu desu	No thank you.	declining a bag
袋をお願いします	Fukuro o onegaishimasu	A bag, please.
別々の袋に入れてもらえますか？	Betsubetsu no fukuro ni irete moraemasu ka?	Could you put these in separate bags?	for hot/cold or food/non-food items
小さい袋でお願いします	Chiisai fukuro de onegaishimasu	A small bag, please.	if you only need something small

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Age Verification

This is for alcohol or tobacco purchases. It’s usually confirmed on a touchscreen rather than spoken aloud.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
20歳以上ですか？	Hatachi ijou desu ka?	Are you 20 or older?	for alcohol or tobacco purchases
画面のボタンを押してください	Gamen no botan o oshite kudasai	Please press the button on the screen.	often confirmed via touchscreen, not spoken
身分証明書を拝見してもよろしいですか？	Mibun shoumeisho o haiken shite mo yoroshii desu ka?	May I see your ID?	occasionally requested directly

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
はい	hai	yes	simple confirmation
身分証明書です	Mibun shoumeisho desu	Here’s my ID.	if asked to show identification
パスポートでもいいですか？	Pasupooto demo ii desu ka?	Is a passport okay?	for travelers without a Japanese ID

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Payment

How you’ll be asked to pay, and how to answer with whatever method you’re using.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
お支払いはどうなさいますか？	Oshiharai wa dou nasaimasu ka?	How would you like to pay?
ポイントカードはお持ちですか？	Pointo kaado wa omochi desu ka?	Do you have a point card?	store loyalty card
こちらにタッチしてください	Kochira ni tacchi shite kudasai	Please tap here.	for IC card or contactless payment
暗証番号を入力してください	Anshou bangou o nyuuryoku shite kudasai	Please enter your PIN.	for chip card payments
お釣りとレシートです	Otsuri to reshiito desu	Here’s your change and receipt.	said when handing back items

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
現金でお願いします	Genkin de onegaishimasu	Cash, please.
カードでお願いします	Kaado de onegaishimasu	Card, please.
クレジットカードは使えますか？	Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?	Can I pay by credit card?	worth confirming at smaller or rural stores
ポイントカードは持っていません	Pointo kaado wa motteimasen	I don’t have a point card.
Suicaで払えますか？	Suica de haraemasu ka?	Can I pay with Suica?	IC transit cards work at most konbini registers
小銭でもいいですか？	Kozeni demo ii desu ka?	Is loose change okay?	if paying with a lot of coins

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Receipts

As your transaction finishes, the cashier may ask whether you want your receipt before handing it back with your change.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
レシートはいりますか？	Reshiito wa irimasu ka?	Do you need the receipt?
こちらレシートになります	Kochira reshiito ni narimasu	Here’s your receipt.	handed over with change
ポイントは加算されました	Pointo wa kasan saremashita	Your points have been added.	if you used a point card

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
はい、お願いします	Hai, onegaishimasu	Yes, please.	accepting the receipt
大丈夫です	Daijoubu desu	No thank you.	declining the receipt
レシートをもらえますか？	Reshiito o moraemasu ka?	Could I get a receipt?	if they don’t offer one first

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Self-Checkout

This one has an actual sequence to it, so it’s broken into steps.

Step 1: Scan Your Items

Find the machine and get your items scanned. This is where you’ll ask for help if the layout is unfamiliar.

Staff/screen might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
商品をスキャンしてください	Shouhin o sukyan shite kudasai	Please scan your items.
バーコードを読み取ってください	Baakoodo o yomitotte kudasai	Please scan the barcode.

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
セルフレジはどこですか？	Serufu reji wa doko desu ka?	Where is the self-checkout?
これはどうやって使いますか？	Kore wa dou yatte tsukaimasu ka?	How do I use this?	if the machine is unfamiliar

Step 2: Select Your Payment Method

The screen will prompt you to choose how you’re paying. This is the step most people get stuck on if the machine isn’t in English.

Screen might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
お支払い方法を選択してください	Oshiharai houhou o sentaku shite kudasai	Please select a payment method.

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
手伝ってもらえますか？	Tetsudatte moraemasu ka?	Could you help me?	staff usually assist self-checkout users nearby

Step 3: Finish Up

The transaction wraps up automatically. There’s nothing you need to say here unless something’s gone wrong.

Screen might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ご利用ありがとうございました	Goriyou arigatou gozaimashita	Thank you for using this machine.	shown at the end of the transaction

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After Checkout

Your shopping isn’t quite over yet. Here are the common phrases exchanged as your transaction ends, along with anything you might need to say before leaving the store.

• Leaving the Store
• Eating in the Store

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Leaving the Store

Your visit isn’t quite over once you’ve paid. These are the phrases exchanged as you leave, plus a few you’ll need if you’re eating in the store.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ありがとうございました	Arigatou gozaimashita	Thank you very much.	said as the transaction ends
またお越しください	Mata okoshi kudasai	Please come again.	occasionally added

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ありがとうございました	Arigatou gozaimashita	Thank you.	polite to say back as you leave
ごちそうさまでした	Gochisousama deshita	Thanks for the meal.	natural to say when leaving after eating something in the store

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Eating in the Store

Some convenience stores have an eat-in area where you can enjoy your food on the spot.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
こちらでお召し上がりですか？	Kochira de omeshiagari desu ka?	Will you be eating here?	asked at checkout if there’s an eat-in area
イートインは奥にございます	Iitoin wa oku ni gozaimasu	The eat-in area is toward the back.
お済みのお皿はこちらへお願いします	Osumi no osara wa kochira e onegaishimasu	Please leave your used dishes here.	for trays or reusable dishware

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ここで食べてもいいですか？	Koko de tabete mo ii desu ka?	Can I eat here?
イートインはありますか？	Iitoin wa arimasu ka?	Is there an eat-in area?
ゴミはどこに捨てればいいですか？	Gomi wa doko ni sutereba ii desu ka?	Where should I throw away my trash?

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Extra Services

Japanese convenience stores handle far more than shopping. These are the phrases for using the ATM, buying tickets, shipping a package, paying a bill, or printing something.

• ATM
• Tickets
• Shipping
• Copy Machine
• Bills

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ATM

Most Japanese convenience stores have an ATM that accepts both domestic and many international cards.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ATMは店内にございます	Eetiiemu wa tennai ni gozaimasu	The ATM is inside the store.
こちらのボタンを押してください	Kochira no botan o oshite kudasai	Please press this button.	occasionally offered if you look stuck
ただいま故障中です	Tadaima koshouchuu desu	It’s currently out of order.	rare but worth recognizing

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ATMはありますか？	Eetiiemu wa arimasu ka?	Is there an ATM?
海外のカードは使えますか？	Kaigai no kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?	Can I use a foreign card?	many konbini ATMs accept international cards
両替はできますか？	Ryougae wa dekimasu ka?	Can I exchange currency here?	not all ATMs offer this
引き出し方を教えてもらえますか？	Hikidashikata o oshiete moraemasu ka?	Could you show me how to withdraw money?	if the screen isn’t in English

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Tickets

Many konbini can sell or print tickets for concerts, events, attractions, and transportation.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
バーコードをこちらにお願いします	Baakoodo o kochira ni onegaishimasu	The barcode here, please.	scanning a ticket voucher
こちらの機械で操作してください	Kochira no kikai de sousa shite kudasai	Please use this machine.	for ticket kiosks like Loppi or FamiPort
発券までお待ちください	Hakken made omachi kudasai	Please wait while the ticket prints.	after payment is confirmed

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
ここでチケットを買えますか？	Koko de chiketto o kaemasu ka?	Can I buy tickets here?
コンサートのチケットが欲しいです	Konsaato no chiketto ga hoshii desu	I’d like a concert ticket.	swap in the event type as needed
発券機の使い方が分かりません	Hakkenki no tsukaikata ga wakarimasen	I don’t know how to use the ticket machine.	staff usually help nearby
予約番号はこちらです	Yoyaku bangou wa kochira desu	Here’s my reservation number.	needed for many ticket pickups

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Shipping

Convenience stores often double as parcel drop-off and shipping locations, making it easy to send packages around Japan.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
伝票をお持ちですか？	Denpyou o omochi desu ka?	Do you have a shipping slip?	for sending packages
宛先を記入してください	Atesaki o kinyuu shite kudasai	Please fill in the recipient’s address.	on the shipping slip
重さを測ります	Omosa o hakarimasu	I’ll weigh this.	determines the shipping cost

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
荷物を送りたいです	Nimotsu o okuritai desu	I’d like to send a package.
伝票はありますか？	Denpyou wa arimasu ka?	Do you have a shipping slip?	if you don’t already have one filled out
東京までいくらですか？	Toukyou made ikura desu ka?	How much is it to Tokyo?	swap in the destination
何日で届きますか？	Nannichi de todokimasu ka?	How many days will it take to arrive?
切手はありますか？	Kitte wa arimasu ka?	Do you have stamps?

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Copy Machine

Many stores have self-service copy machines that can also print documents and photos.

Screen might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
何枚コピーしますか？	Nanmai kopii shimasu ka?	How many copies?
カラーですか、白黒ですか？	Karaa desu ka, shirokuro desu ka?	Color or black and white?
こちらの画面で操作してください	Kochira no gamen de sousa shite kudasai	Please use this screen.	for the multifunction copier

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
コピー機はありますか？	Kopiiki wa arimasu ka?	Is there a copy machine?
ここで印刷できますか？	Koko de insatsu dekimasu ka?	Can I print here?	some machines print from a phone or USB
使い方を教えてもらえますか？	Tsukaikata o oshiete moraemasu ka?	Could you show me how to use it?

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Bills

Konbini handle utility and other routine bill payments constantly, usually against a printed slip.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
こちらの伝票にご記入ください	Kochira no denpyou ni gokinyuu kudasai	Please fill in this slip.	for bill payments
合計 _____ 円になります	Goukei _____ en ni narimasu	The total comes to _____ yen.	stated before payment
お支払いは今月分でよろしいですか？	Oshiharai wa kongetsu bun de yoroshii desu ka?	Is this payment for this month’s bill?	confirming the billing period

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
公共料金の支払いをしたいです	Koukyou ryoukin no shiharai o shitai desu	I’d like to pay a utility bill.	konbini handle these constantly
この用紙で払えますか？	Kono youshi de haraemasu ka?	Can I pay with this slip?	holding up the bill
電気代を払いたいです	Denkidai o haraitai desu	I’d like to pay my electricity bill.	swap in gas (gasu), water (suidou), or phone (denwa) as needed
現金でお願いします	Genkin de onegaishimasu	Cash, please.	most bill payments are cash-only

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Asking for Help

For when anything above isn’t going smoothly, and you need to slow the conversation down.

Staff might say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
何かお困りですか？	Nanika okomari desu ka?	Is something wrong? Do you need help?
少々お待ちいただけますか？	Shoushou omachi itadakemasu ka?	Could you wait just a moment?

You can say:

Japanese	Romaji	English	Notes
英語を話せる方はいますか？	Eigo o hanaseru kata wa imasu ka?	Is there anyone who speaks English?
もう一度言っていただけますか？	Mou ichido itte itadakemasu ka?	Could you say that again?
ゆっくり話していただけますか？	Yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka?	Could you speak more slowly?
日本語が少ししか話せません	Nihongo ga sukoshi shika hanasemasen	I only speak a little Japanese.	sets expectations upfront

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Bonus Vocabulary

Here are some of the most useful convenience store vocabulary words to know. While many appear throughout the phrase list above, having them all in one place makes them easy to review whenever you need a quick refresher.

Japanese	Romaji	English
袋	fukuro	bag
レシート	reshiito	receipt
お弁当	obentou	bento box
おにぎり	onigiri	rice ball
お箸	ohashi	chopsticks
レジ	reji	register, checkout counter
温め	atatame	heating (of food)
売り切れ	urikire	sold out
辛い	karai	spicy
現金	genkin	cash
小銭	kozeni	loose change
お釣り	otsuri	change (money returned)
賞味期限	shoumi kigen	best-before date
消費期限	shouhi kigen	expiration date (for perishables)
コピー機	kopiiki	copy machine
宅配便	takuhaibin	courier, home delivery
公共料金	koukyou ryoukin	utility bill
身分証明書	Mibun shoumeisho	ID
揚げ物	agemono	fried food
デザート	dezaato	dessert

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FAQ

Do I need to respond to 「irasshaimase」? No. It’s said to every customer as a greeting, and staff don’t expect or wait for a reply.

How do I say I don’t need a bag in Japanese? 『大丈夫です(Daijoubu desu)』 means 「I’m okay」, or 「no thank you」. This is the standard way to decline a bag, receipt, or other offer.

What do I say if I want my food heated up? If they don’t ask, say 『温めてください (Atatamete kudasai)』, meaning 「Please heat this up」. If they ask 『温めますか？ (Atatamemasu ka?)』, just answer 『はい、お願いします (Hai, onegaishimasu)』.

Can I pay with a credit card at any konbini? Usually yes in cities, though it’s worth confirming at smaller or rural locations with 『クレジットカードは使えますか？ (Kurejitto kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?)』. Carrying some cash is still a good idea.

Do convenience stores in Japan sell more than snacks? Yes. Most konbini also handle bill payments, ticket sales, package shipping, printing and copying, and have an ATM, alongside food, drinks, and daily essentials.

Can I use a self-checkout machine if I don’t read Japanese? Many machines have an English display option, and staff nearby will usually step in if you look stuck. A good phrase to have ready is 『これはどうやって使いますか？ (Kore wa dou yatte tsukaimasu ka?)』, meaning how do I use this.

What if I don’t understand what the staff is asking? Both 『もう一度言っていただけますか？ (Mou ichido itte itadakemasu ka?)』, meaning could you say that again, and 『ゆっくり話していただけますか？ (Yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka?)』, meaning could you speak more slowly, are considered polite, not rude.

Learn More Japanese with…

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Related Phrase Lists

• Japanese Restaurant Phrase List
  Ordering food, asking questions, paying the bill, and everything in between.
• Japanese Taxi Phrase List
  Hailing a taxi, telling the driver where to go, paying the fare, and everything in between.
• Japanese Airport Phrase List
  Arriving, immigration, finding your way, checking in, boarding, and every other airport situation.
• Japanese Hotel Phrase List
  Checking in, requesting amenities, solving room problems, checking out, and every other hotel situation.
• Japanese Shopping Phrase List
  Browsing stores, asking about sizes and prices, paying, tax-free shopping, and every other shopping situation.
• Japanese Train Phrase List
  Buying tickets, using IC cards, finding your platform, riding the train, making transfers, and every other train travel situation.

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Japanese convenience stores are designed to be quick and convenient, and once you know the common phrases, every visit becomes much easier. Save this page for your next trip to Japan, and enjoy exploring everything your local konbini (コンビニ) has to offer.

Mata okoshi kudasai!
またお越しください！
Alex 🏪✨