Japanese for Elementary Learners: Say 'I'd Love to Come' and Ask What to Bring
Learn to accept an invitation warmly in Japanese with ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu) and ask what to bring using 何を持って行けばいいですか (nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka).
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When someone invites you to a party, dinner, or trip in Japanese, a plain はい (hai, 'yes') can sound flat. This lesson teaches a warm, natural acceptance: ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu, 'I'd love to come'). You will also learn to ask what to bring with 何を持って行けばいいですか (nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka). These two moves turn a simple yes into a friendly, cooperative reply. We focus only on positive responses, so you can accept invitations clearly and politely at an elementary level.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation warmly using ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu).
- ask what to bring using 何を持って行けばいいですか (nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka).
- reply naturally when the host says 何もいりません (nanimo irimasen, 'nothing is needed').
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
ぜひ行きたいです。
I'd love to come.
ze-hi i-ki-ta-i de-su
Warm, polite acceptance. ぜひ (zehi) adds strong willingness. Use with friends, coworkers, or hosts.
ありがとうございます。行きます。
Thank you. I'll come.
a-ri-ga-to-o go-za-i-ma-su. i-ki-ma-su
Simple polite acceptance. Good when you want to thank the person first.
何を持って行けばいいですか。
What should I bring?
na-ni o mot-te i-ke-ba i-i de-su ka
Ask this after accepting. 持って行く (motte iku) means 'take/bring along'.
何か持って行きましょうか。
Shall I bring something?
na-ni-ka mot-te i-ki-ma-sho-o ka
Softer offer. Use when you want to suggest helping without asking directly.
何もいりませんよ。
Nothing is needed.
na-ni-mo i-ri-ma-sen yo
A common host reply. よ (yo) softens it and reassures you.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept warmly, use ぜひ (zehi) + verb stem + たいです (tai desu). Example: 行く (iku, 'go') becomes 行きたいです (ikitai desu, 'I want to go'). Add ぜひ (zehi) for 'by all means / I'd love to': ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu). To ask what to bring, use 何を (nani o) + 持って行けばいいですか (motte ikeba ii desu ka). The pattern ～ばいいですか (ba ii desu ka) asks for advice: 'what should I do?' So 何を持って行けばいいですか means 'What should I bring?' Note that 持って行く (motte iku) means 'take (something) along' when you are the one going, while 持って来る (motte kuru) means 'bring (something) here' from the host's perspective. When you ask the host what to bring, 持って行く is the natural choice because you are the one traveling to the event.
When to use it
Use ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu) when you truly want to go. If you are busy, do not use it; decline instead. After accepting, ask 何を持って行けばいいですか (nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka) for parties, dinners, or trips. If the host says 何もいりませんよ (nanimo irimasen yo), reply わかりました。ありがとうございます (wakarimashita. arigatou gozaimasu, 'Understood. Thank you'). You can also offer 何か持って行きましょうか (nanika motte ikimashou ka) to be extra helpful.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
土曜日のパーティーに来ませんか。
Would you like to come to the party on Saturday?do-yo-o-bi no paa-ti-i ni ki-ma-sen kaぜひ行きたいです。ありがとうございます。
I'd love to come. Thank you.ze-hi i-ki-ta-i de-su. a-ri-ga-to-o go-za-i-ma-suよかった。何か持って来てください。
Great. Please bring something.yo-kat-ta. na-ni-ka mot-te ki-te ku-da-sai何を持って行けばいいですか。
What should I bring?na-ni o mot-te i-ke-ba i-i de-su kaA little context goes a long way
In Japanese, a warm acceptance often includes ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) and ぜひ (zehi). Asking what to bring shows consideration, but wait until after you accept. If the host says 何もいりませんよ (nanimo irimasen yo), it is polite to accept that answer rather than insisting. Bringing a small gift such as sweets is still appreciated, but do not force it.
One thing to watch for
Saying はい、行きます (hai, ikimasu) alone to mean 'I'd love to come.'
Try this instead: はい、行きます is grammatically fine but sounds neutral or flat. For a warm positive response, say ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu). If you want to thank the person, add ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu): ぜひ行きたいです。ありがとうございます。
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'd love to come' politely in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
ぜひ行きたいです。
ぜひ (zehi) adds strong willingness, and 行きたいです (ikitai desu) means 'I want to go.' 行きます (ikimasu) is also correct but less warm.
2Ask your host what you should bring.
Show a sample answer
何を持って行けばいいですか。
This uses 何を (nani o, 'what') plus 持って行けばいいですか (motte ikeba ii desu ka, 'should I bring?'). 何か持って行きましょうか (nanika motte ikimashou ka) is a valid softer alternative.
3The host says 何もいりませんよ。 What is a polite reply?
Show a sample answer
わかりました。ありがとうございます。
This accepts the host's offer politely. You may also say そうですか。ありがとうございます (sou desu ka. arigatou gozaimasu), which shows mild surprise and thanks.
Accept invitations with ぜひ行きたいです (zehi ikitai desu), then ask 何を持って行けばいいですか (nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka). A warm yes plus a helpful question makes a great impression.
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