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Konbini Japanese: every phrase the staff says at the register

A konbini checkout follows the same script almost every time. Learn the dozen phrases below and you will understand nearly everything said to you at the register. Tap 🔊 to hear each line.

The checkout in order

  1. Greeting: いらっしゃいませ
  2. Your items are scanned
  3. Questions: heat it up? chopsticks? a bag? a point card?
  4. Payment
  5. Receipt and ありがとうございました

The questions only come when they apply: you will hear 温めますか？ for a bento, but not for a drink.

1. Welcome

You (part-timer)
いらっしゃいませ。Irasshaimase.Welcome! (No reply needed: customers usually say nothing or nod.)

2. "Shall I heat it up?"

You (part-timer)
温めますか？Atatamemasu ka?Shall I heat it up? (bento, pasta, onigiri with fillings…)
Customer
はい、お願いします。Hai, onegai shimasu.Yes, please.
Customer
大丈夫です。Daijōbu desu.No thanks. Yes, really: see the 大丈夫です guide.

3. Chopsticks

You (part-timer)
お箸はおつけしますか？Ohashi wa otsuke shimasu ka?Would you like chopsticks?
Customer
2膳お願いします。Nizen onegai shimasu.Two pairs, please. 膳 (zen) counts pairs of chopsticks.
Customer
いらないです。Iranai desu.I don't need any.

4. "Do you need a bag?"

You (part-timer)
袋はご利用ですか？Fukuro wa go-riyō desu ka?Would you like a bag?
Customer
はい、お願いします。Hai, onegai shimasu.Yes, please.
Customer
Mでいいです。Emu de ii desu.A medium is fine. (〜でいいです = "… is fine" → yes)
Customer
いいえ、大丈夫です。Iie, daijōbu desu.No, thanks.
Why they ask: plastic shopping bags have been charged for at stores across Japan since July 1, 2020. Each store sets its own price, so the clerk checks before adding one.

5. Point card

You (part-timer)
ポイントカードはお持ちですか？Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka?Do you have a point card?
Customer
ポイントカードありません。Pointo kādo arimasen.I don't have one. (Most people just say いいえ or shake their head.)

6. Payment

You (part-timer)
お支払いはどうされますか？O-shiharai wa dō saremasu ka?How would you like to pay?
Customer
現金で。Genkin de.Cash.
Customer
カードで。Kādo de.By card.
Customer
交通系で。Kōtsūkei de.With my transit IC card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA…).
Customer
QRで払います。Kyū āru de haraimasu.I'll pay by QR code.
Customer
ちょうどあります。Chōdo arimasu.I have the exact amount.

7. Cigarettes and alcohol: the age check

You (part-timer)
画面のタッチをお願いします。Gamen no tatchi o onegai shimasu.Please touch the screen. (You confirm you are 20 or older.)

Japan lowered the age of adulthood to 18 on April 1, 2022, but the legal age for smoking and drinking stayed at 20. Shops that sell tobacco are required by law to take steps to confirm age, and may ask for ID such as a driving licence if you look young.

8. Receipt, waiting and goodbye

You (part-timer)
レシートはご利用ですか？Reshīto wa go-riyō desu ka?Do you need the receipt?
You (part-timer)
少々お待ちください。Shōshō omachi kudasai.Please wait a moment.
You (part-timer)
ありがとうございました。Arigatō gozaimashita.Thank you very much.
You (part-timer)
次のお客様どうぞ。Tsugi no okyakusama dōzo.Next customer, please. (You hear this while waiting in line.)
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