Japanese for Business Catering: Negotiating Event Orders
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases to discuss catering for corporate events, focusing on business negotiations rather than market haggling.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to handle catering arrangements for business events in Japanese. Unlike market negotiations, which often involve bargaining over individual items, catering for corporate events requires discussing menus, quantities, budgets, and delivery logistics with a professional tone. You will practice key phrases for requesting quotes, specifying dietary needs, and confirming orders. The focus is on polite business Japanese (keigo) appropriate for dealing with catering companies or internal event planning. By the end, you will be able to communicate your needs clearly and negotiate terms effectively.
By the end, you can…
- request a catering quote for a business event.
- specify dietary restrictions and delivery details.
- negotiate prices and confirm an order politely.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
ケータリングの見積もりをお願いしたいのですが。
I would like to request a catering quote.
Kētaringu no mitsumori o onegai shitai no desu ga.
Use this when initiating a business inquiry. The phrase '～のですが' softens the request and is common in business settings.
予算は一人あたり五千円程度で考えています。
We are thinking of a budget of about 5,000 yen per person.
Yosan wa hitori atari gosen en teido de kangaete imasu.
Clearly state your budget range. 'Teido' means 'approximately' and is useful for flexibility.
アレルギー対応は可能でしょうか。
Is it possible to accommodate allergies?
Arerugī taiō wa kanō deshō ka.
Ask about dietary needs. 'Taiō' means 'handling' or 'accommodation'. Use this to ensure guest safety.
配達は午前十一時にお願いできますか。
Could you deliver at 11 a.m.?
Haitatsu wa gozen jūichi-ji ni onegai dekimasu ka.
Specify delivery time. 'Onegai dekimasu ka' is a polite way to ask for a favor.
もう少しお値引きいただけますでしょうか。
Could you possibly give us a little discount?
Mō sukoshi onebiki itadakemasu deshō ka.
Use this for polite negotiation. 'Itadakemasu deshō ka' is very polite and avoids sounding demanding.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '～ていただけますでしょうか' is a highly polite request form, essential in business negotiations. For example, '見積もりを送っていただけますでしょうか' (Could you please send the quote?). It softens the request and shows respect. Similarly, '～は可能でしょうか' (Is ~ possible?) is used to inquire about feasibility, as in 'ベジタリアン対応は可能でしょうか' (Is vegetarian accommodation possible?). These patterns help maintain a professional tone.
When to use it
Use polite request forms when speaking to catering companies or senior colleagues. For internal discussions with teammates, you might use '～てくれる？' or '～てもらえる？' but in formal business deals, always use keigo. For example, when confirming an order, say 'この内容で確定していただけますか' (Could you confirm with this content?). When negotiating, avoid direct demands like '安くして' (Make it cheaper) and instead use 'お値引きいただけますか' (Could you give a discount?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
来月の研修会のケータリングについて、お見積もりをお願いしたいのですが。
I would like to request a quote for catering for next month's training session.Raigetsu no kenshūkai no kētaringu ni tsuite, omitsumori o onegai shitai no desu ga.かしこまりました。ご予算と人数を教えていただけますか。
Certainly. Could you tell me your budget and the number of people?Kashikomarimashita. Go-yosan to ninzū o oshiete itadakemasu ka.予算は一人あたり五千円で、三十名を予定しています。アレルギー対応も必要です。
The budget is 5,000 yen per person, and we expect 30 people. We also need allergy accommodations.Yosan wa hitori atari gosen en de, sanjū-mei o yotei shite imasu. Arerugī taiō mo hitsuyō desu.承知しました。お見積もりをお送りします。お値引きについても検討いたします。
Understood. We will send you a quote. We will also consider a discount.Shōchi shimashita. Omitsumori o okuri shimasu. Onebiki ni tsuite mo kentō itashimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese business culture, politeness and indirectness are key. When negotiating, avoid direct demands; instead, use humble expressions like '恐れ入りますが' (I'm sorry to trouble you) or 'お手数ですが' (I'm sorry for the trouble). Also, decisions often require internal consensus (nemawashi), so be patient and flexible. Showing appreciation, such as 'ご検討いただきありがとうございます' (Thank you for considering), helps maintain a good relationship.
One thing to watch for
Using casual bargaining phrases like '安くして' (Make it cheaper) in a business catering context.
Try this instead: Use polite forms like 'お値引きいただけますでしょうか' (Could you give a discount?) or 'もう少しお安くなりませんか' (Could it be a little cheaper?). For example, '予算が限られているので、お値引きをご検討いただけますか' (Since our budget is limited, could you consider a discount?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask if vegan options are available?
Show a sample answer
ヴィーガン対応は可能でしょうか。
This uses '～は可能でしょうか' to ask about feasibility politely. Alternatively, 'ヴィーガン料理はありますか' is less formal but acceptable.
2Translate: 'Could you deliver by 10 a.m.?'
Show a sample answer
午前十時までに配達していただけますか。
This uses '～ていただけますか' for a polite request. You could also say '午前十時までに配達をお願いできますか' with similar politeness.
3What phrase would you use to ask for a quote?
Show a sample answer
お見積もりをお願いしたいのですが。
This is a standard polite way to request a quote. '見積もり' means quote, and '～のですが' softens the request.
In business catering, always use polite keigo, state your budget and needs clearly, and negotiate with indirect requests like '～ていただけますでしょうか'. Avoid casual bargaining and show appreciation to build trust.
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