Japanese for Gift-Wrapping: Asking a Shop to Remove the Price Tag
Learn polite Japanese phrases to ask a shop to gift-wrap an item, remove the price tag, and provide a separate bag, using 贈り物なので and 〜をお願いできますか.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you buy a gift in Japan, you often need to ask staff to wrap it for someone else and remove the price tag. This lesson teaches you the exact polite phrases for that situation: how to say it is a gift (贈り物なので), how to request wrapping (包装をお願いできますか), how to ask them to take off the price tag (値札を外してもらえますか), and how to ask about a separate bag (手提げ袋). You will also learn about のし, a traditional gift decoration, and how to check whether it is available. The focus is on speaking clearly and politely, not on assuming what a shop offers.
By the end, you can…
- ask a shop to gift-wrap an item using 包装をお願いできますか.
- ask staff to remove the price tag with 値札を外してもらえますか.
- explain that the item is a gift using 贈り物なので.
- ask whether a のし decoration is available and request a separate 手提げ袋.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
贈り物なので、包装をお願いできますか。
It is a gift, so could I ask you to wrap it?
Okurimono na no de, hōsō o onegai dekimasu ka.
Use this at the counter after choosing an item. 贈り物なので explains the reason; 包装をお願いできますか is a polite request for wrapping.
値札を外してもらえますか。
Could you remove the price tag?
Nefuda o hazushite moraemasu ka.
値札 means price tag. 外してもらえますか is a polite way to ask someone to take it off. Use it when you do not want the recipient to see the price.
のしはできますか。
Can you add a traditional gift decoration (noshi)?
Noshi wa dekimasu ka.
のし is a decorative paper fold used for auspicious gifts. Availability varies by shop and item, so ask rather than assume.
手提げ袋もお願いできますか。
Could I also ask for a carrying bag?
Tesagebukuro mo onegai dekimasu ka.
手提げ袋 is a paper or plastic bag with handles. も adds 'also', so you are asking for a bag in addition to wrapping.
包装の種類は選べますか。
Can I choose the type of wrapping?
Hōsō no shurui wa erabemasu ka.
Use this if you want to know about different wrapping options. 種類 means type; 選べますか asks whether you can choose.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜をお願いできますか is a polite way to ask 'Could I ask you to...?' It works with many nouns: 包装をお願いできますか (Could you wrap it?), 手提げ袋をお願いできますか (Could I have a bag?), のしをお願いできますか (Could you add a noshi?). For asking someone to do something to an object, use 〜を外してもらえますか: 値札を外してもらえますか (Could you remove the price tag?). Both patterns are appropriate for shop staff. If you want to be even more polite, you can say お願いしてもよろしいでしょうか, but お願いできますか is already sufficiently polite for most situations.
When to use it
Use these phrases after you have decided on a purchase and are speaking with the cashier or shop staff. Start with 贈り物なので to explain that it is a gift; this helps staff understand why you want the tag removed and the item wrapped. Then make your requests one by one: 値札を外してもらえますか, 包装をお願いできますか, のしはできますか, 手提げ袋もお願いできますか. If the shop offers multiple wrapping styles, ask 包装の種類は選べますか. If you are unsure whether a service is available, use 〜はできますか (Can you do...?) rather than assuming. For example, のしはできますか is a neutral way to check.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この商品は贈り物なので、包装をお願いできますか。
Excuse me, this item is a gift, so could I ask you to wrap it?Sumimasen, kono shōhin wa okurimono na no de, hōsō o onegai dekimasu ka.はい、承知しました。値札はどうしますか。
Yes, certainly. What would you like me to do with the price tag?Hai, shōchi shimashita. Nefuda wa dō shimasu ka.値札を外してもらえますか。あと、のしはできますか。
Could you remove the price tag? Also, can you add a noshi decoration?Nefuda o hazushite moraemasu ka. Ato, noshi wa dekimasu ka.値札は外します。のしは有料になりますが、よろしいですか。手提げ袋もお付けしますか。
I will remove the price tag. The noshi will be charged, is that all right? Would you like a carrying bag as well?Nefuda wa hazushimasu. Noshi wa yūryō ni narimasu ga, yoroshii desu ka. Tesagebukuro mo o-tsuke shimasu ka.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, removing the price tag before giving a gift is a common courtesy, but shops may handle it differently. Some wrap automatically, others charge for のし or special wrapping. It is polite to ask rather than assume. The word のし refers to a traditional decoration; for casual gifts, a simple wrapping may be more appropriate. If you are unsure, ask のしはできますか and follow the staff's guidance. Also, 手提げ袋 is often provided free, but some shops charge or ask if you need one to reduce waste.
One thing to watch for
Using 値札を取ってください (Please take the price tag) as a direct command.
Try this instead: Use the polite request form 値札を外してもらえますか (Could you remove the price tag?). 取ってください can sound abrupt. If you want to be extra polite, say 値札を外していただけますか.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a shop to remove the price tag politely?
Show a sample answer
値札を外してもらえますか。
This uses 外してもらえますか, a polite request form. You could also say 値札を外していただけますか for extra politeness.
2What phrase explains that the item is a gift?
Show a sample answer
贈り物なので
贈り物なので means 'because it is a gift' and naturally introduces your request. You can combine it with 包装をお願いできますか.
3How do you ask if a noshi decoration is available?
Show a sample answer
のしはできますか。
This asks 'Can you do noshi?' It is a neutral way to check availability. If the shop says はい, you can then request it.
When buying a gift in Japan, start with 贈り物なので, then politely ask for 包装, 値札を外してもらえますか, のし, and 手提げ袋. Use 〜をお願いできますか and 〜てもらえますか to keep your requests polite and clear.
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