Speakable Japanese

How to Order in Japanese: Asking for Things (Kudasai)

Hello! In the previous lesson, you learned to express your intention 'I want to do'. This time, we will turn that intention into a concrete 'request' by learning a very powerful and practical expression.
This is '〜をください'. With this one phrase, you can confidently order and get whatever you want in any restaurant or store in Japan, simply by pointing at the desired item. Enjoy the feeling of your words moving the real world!

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to order or ask for desired items in stores and restaurants using the phrase 「〜をください」 (〜 o kudasai)!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used in a real conversation. Sarah is ordering at a café.

👩
Sarah

すみません、これとこれを、一つずつください。

(Sumimasen, kore to kore o, hitotsu zutsu kudasai.)

👨‍🍳
Clerk

はい、かしこまりました。

(Hai, kashikomarimashita.)

👩
Sarah

あと、ホットコーヒーをください。

(Ato, hotto ko-hi- o kudasai.)

💡

Did you notice?

Sarah gets exactly what she wants just by pointing and saying "kore" (this) or naming the item "hotto ko-hi-", followed by the magic word"kudasai"!

Step 2 The Pattern

Here is the most powerful and useful chunk for making an order.

Basic Chunk

を ください。

( o kudasai.)

🔑 Key Point 1: The universal phrase '〜をください'

'ください (kudasai)' is the most basic and polite word for making a request. It can be used in almost any situation simply by adding the object-marking particle 'を (o)' after the name of the desired item.

🌟 Key Point 2: How to specify quantity

If you want a specific number of items, place a counter word like '一つ (hitotsu)' right before 'ください'. For example: "コーヒーを、一つください。" (Ko-hi- o, hitotsu kudasai.)

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Keep the chunk exactly the same, but swap the items in the blank. Read these out loud!

  • Pointing at a menu This one (Kore)

    これ をください。

    (Kore o kudasai.)

  • Ordering an item Coffee (Ko-hi-)

    コーヒー をください。

    (Ko-hi- o kudasai.)

  • With quantity Water, one (Mizu, hitotsu)

    水 を、一つください。

    (Mizu o, hitotsu kudasai.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

Now it's your turn! Imagine you are in your favorite café or restaurant in Japan. Use words from the Cheat Sheet below to practice.

👉 YOUR ITEM を ください。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Food & Drink (食べ物・飲み物)

  • おちゃ ocha (tea)
  • ビール bi-ru (beer)
  • ラーメン ra-men (ramen)
  • ハンバーガー hanba-ga- (hamburger)

Quantity & Other (数・その他)

  • ひとつ hitotsu (one)
  • ふたつ futatsu (two)
  • ふくろ fukuro (bag)
  • レシート reshi-to (receipt)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

In real life, you'll also need to say "I don't need it" and speak casually with friends. Here’s a quick guide to leveling up your communication!

🙅‍♀️ 1. I don't need it (Negative)

Basic / Formal

袋は いりません。

(Fukuro wa irimasen.)"I don't need a bag."

Casual (Friends)

これ いらない。

(Kore iranai.)"I don't need this."

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual Requests

Asking friends (Give me)

それ ちょうだい。

(Sore choudai.)"Give me that."

Asking nicely (Please)

水 お願い。

(Mizu onegai.)"Water, please."

Summary Lesson Review

Ordering & Requesting: Use 〜をください (o kudasai) to confidently order food or ask for items in a store.

Specifying Quantity: Place a counter word like 一つ (hitotsu) right before "ください" to ask for a specific amount.

Casual Requests: With friends, use ちょうだい (choudai) or お願い (onegai) instead of "kudasai".

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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