Japanese for Hotel Breakfast: Ask 'Is Breakfast Included?'
Learn to ask if breakfast is included at a Japanese hotel, understand typical serving times, and choose between Japanese and Western breakfast options.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you check into a hotel in Japan, one of the most practical questions you can ask is whether breakfast is included. The Japanese phrase for breakfast is 朝食 (chōshoku), and the key pattern for asking if something is included is 〜はついていますか (〜 wa tsuitemasu ka). In this lesson, you will learn how to ask 'Is breakfast included?', understand the reply, ask about serving times, and find out whether the breakfast is Japanese-style or Western-style. You will also learn how to say 'I would like breakfast' and 'No breakfast, thank you' when making a reservation. All phrases use polite forms suitable for hotel staff, and you will practice with a short dialogue and three exercises.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether breakfast is included in the room rate.
- understand and ask about breakfast serving times.
- ask whether breakfast is Japanese-style or Western-style.
- say 'I would like breakfast' or 'No breakfast, thank you' politely.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
朝食はついていますか。
Is breakfast included?
Chōshoku wa tsuitemasu ka.
Standard polite question at check-in or when reserving. 朝食 means breakfast; ついていますか asks whether it is included (from つく, 'to be attached/included').
朝食は何時からですか。
What time does breakfast start?
Chōshoku wa nanji kara desu ka.
Use から to ask about the starting time. You can also ask 何時までですか (nanji made desu ka) for the ending time.
朝食は和食ですか、洋食ですか。
Is breakfast Japanese-style or Western-style?
Chōshoku wa washoku desu ka, yōshoku desu ka.
和食 (washoku) means Japanese-style meal; 洋食 (yōshoku) means Western-style meal. This question helps you choose.
朝食をお願いします。
I would like breakfast, please.
Chōshoku o onegaishimasu.
Use when you want to add breakfast to your stay. お願いします is a versatile polite request.
朝食はいいです。
No breakfast, thank you.
Chōshoku wa ii desu.
A polite way to decline breakfast. Literally 'breakfast is fine,' but in context it means 'I don't need breakfast.' 結構です (kekkō desu) is a slightly more formal alternative.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜はついていますか (〜 wa tsuitemasu ka) asks whether something is included. Replace 〜 with the item you are asking about. For example, 朝食はついていますか (Is breakfast included?), 温泉はついていますか (Is the hot spring included?), 夕食はついていますか (Is dinner included?). To answer yes, say はい、ついています (Hai, tsuitemasu). To answer no, say いいえ、ついていません (Iie, tsuitemasen). Note that ついています is the polite form of つく (to be attached/included).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you check in at a hotel, when you make a reservation by phone or online, or when you ask at the front desk. For example, at check-in you can ask 朝食はついていますか。If the staff says はい、ついています, you can then ask 何時からですか (What time does it start?). If you want to know the style, ask 和食ですか、洋食ですか。If you need to decline, say 朝食はいいです politely. Avoid using casual forms like 朝食ついてる？ with hotel staff; always use the polite ます form.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、朝食はついていますか。
Excuse me, is breakfast included?Sumimasen, chōshoku wa tsuitemasu ka.はい、ついています。和食と洋食がございます。
Yes, it is included. We have Japanese-style and Western-style breakfast.Hai, tsuitemasu. Washoku to yōshoku ga gozaimasu.何時からですか。
What time does it start?Nanji kara desu ka.朝食は6時半から10時までです。
Breakfast is from 6:30 to 10:00.Chōshoku wa rokuji han kara jūji made desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese hotels, breakfast is often included in the room rate, but this varies. Business hotels may offer a simple free breakfast, while luxury hotels may charge extra. The phrase 朝食はついていますか is polite and widely understood. When declining, 朝食はいいです is softer than a direct 'no'. Also, many hotels offer both 和食 (Japanese-style) and 洋食 (Western-style); if you have a preference, ask which is available. Tipping is not customary in Japan, so do not tip for breakfast service.
One thing to watch for
Using 朝食はありますか (Chōshoku wa arimasu ka) to ask if breakfast is included.
Try this instead: 朝食はありますか means 'Is there breakfast?' (Does breakfast exist?), not 'Is it included?' To ask if it is included, use 朝食はついていますか. For example, if you ask 朝食はありますか, the staff might say はい、ありますが、別料金です (Yes, there is, but it costs extra). So use ついていますか to specifically ask about inclusion.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Ask the hotel staff if breakfast is included.
Show a sample answer
朝食はついていますか。
This uses the pattern 〜はついていますか. It is the standard polite way to ask about inclusion. You could also say 朝食込みですか (Chōshoku komi desu ka) in casual conversation, but the ついていますか form is more universally polite.
2Ask what time breakfast starts.
Show a sample answer
朝食は何時からですか。
This uses 何時から (nanji kara) meaning 'from what time'. You can also ask 朝食は何時までですか for the ending time. Both are correct; choose based on what you need.
3You want to decline breakfast politely. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
朝食はいいです。
This is a polite refusal. Literally it means 'breakfast is fine,' but in context it means 'I don't need breakfast.' Another polite option is 朝食は結構です (Chōshoku wa kekkō desu), which is slightly more formal.
Use 朝食はついていますか to ask if breakfast is included. Follow up with 何時からですか for times and 和食ですか、洋食ですか for options. Decline politely with 朝食はいいです.
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