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Survive the Izakaya
Master the art of Japanese pub dining. Learn essential phrases from entering to paying the bill at a traditional izakaya.
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Izakayas are the heart of Japanese social dining - lively pubs where friends gather over drinks and small plates. But the fast-paced environment can be intimidating if you don't know the phrases. In this lesson, we'll simulate a complete izakaya visit: entering, ordering, handling mishaps, and paying. By the end, you'll confidently navigate any izakaya in Japan.
Key Phrases
1
ใใใฃใใใใพใ๏ผไฝๅๆงใงใใ๏ผ
Irasshaimase! Nanmei-sama desu ka?
Welcome! How many people?
You'll hear this shouted when you enter. Staff are asking your party size.
2
ไบไบบใงใใ
Futari desu.
Two people.
Use ไธไบบ (hitori) for one, ไบไบบ (futari) for two, ไธไบบ (sannin) for three.
3
ใใฟใพใใใใพใ ๆฑบใใฆใใพใใใ
Sumimasen, mada kimete imasen.
Excuse me, we haven't decided yet.
Polite way to ask for more time when the menu is overwhelming.
4
ใพใ ใงใใ
Mada desu.
Not yet.
Short and useful for many situations - 'not yet' or 'still waiting'.
5
ใใฟใพใใ๏ผๆณจๆใ้กใใใพใ๏ผ
Sumimasen! Chuumon onegai shimasu!
Excuse me! I'd like to order, please!
Raise your hand and say this loudly to call the waiter. Don't be shy!
6
ๆณจๆ
Chuumon
Order
The noun for 'order' - useful to recognize on menus and signs.
7
ใใใใใฏไฝใงใใ๏ผ
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
The most useful phrase when you can't read the kanji menu!
8
ใใใใ
Osusume
Recommendation
Look for this word on menus - it marks the chef's recommended dishes.
9
ใใใ็ผใ้ณฅใไบๆฌใจใ็ใใผใซใไบใคใใ ใใใ
Ja, yakitori o nihon to, nama biiru o futatsu kudasai.
Then, two yakitori skewers and two draft beers, please.
Use 'to' (ใจ) to connect multiple items in your order.
10
็ผใ้ณฅใจใใผใซ
Yakitori to biiru
Yakitori and beer
The classic izakaya combo! ใจ connects items like 'and'.
11
ใใฟใพใใใใ็ฎธใ่ฝใจใใพใใใ
Sumimasen. Ohashi o otoshimashita.
Excuse me. I dropped my chopsticks.
Accidents happen! This is a polite way to explain the situation.
12
ๆฐใใใฎใใ้กใใใพใใ
Atarashii no o onegai shimasu.
A new one, please.
Use this pattern to request a replacement for anything.
13
ใใฟใพใใใใไผ่จใ้กใใใพใใ
Sumimasen, okaikei onegai shimasu.
Excuse me, the check please.
Time to pay! You can also make an X with your fingers as a visual signal.
14
ใไผ่จ
Okaikei
The bill / check
Essential vocabulary for any restaurant situation.
15
ใใกใใใใพใงใใใ
Gochisousama deshita.
Thank you for the meal.
Say this when leaving. Literally 'it was a feast' - shows appreciation.
16
ใพใใญ๏ผ
Mata ne!
See you later!
Casual farewell - great for friendly izakaya staff!
Vocabulary
ๅฑ
้
ๅฑ
izakaya
Japanese pub / tavern
ไบไบบ
futari
two people
ๆณจๆ
chuumon
order
ใใใใ
osusume
recommendation
็ผใ้ณฅ
yakitori
grilled chicken skewers
็ใใผใซ
nama biiru
draft beer
ใ็ฎธ
ohashi
chopsticks
ใไผ่จ
okaikei
the bill / check
่ฝใจใใพใใ
otoshimashita
dropped (past tense)
Cultural Tips
- Izakayas are lively! Don't be afraid to raise your hand and call out 'Sumimasen!' loudly to get service.
- Making an X shape with your fingers is the universal signal for 'check please' in Japan.
- Always say 'Gochisousama deshita' when leaving - it shows respect for the food and staff.
- Many izakayas have a 'table charge' (otoshi) - a small appetizer that appears automatically. This is normal and expected.
- Draft beer (nama biiru) is the go-to drink. Order by saying 'Nama hitotsu!' for one glass.
- Tipping is not customary and can be considered rude. The service charge is included.