Japanese for Haggling: Ask 'Can You Give Me a Discount?'
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases to negotiate a lower price politely, including waribiki, makete, and package deals, with natural examples and cultural tips.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Bargaining in Japanese requires more than translating 'Can you give me a discount?' directly. You need to signal that you are seriously considering a purchase, show respect for the seller, and propose a specific reduction. This lesson teaches you the key expressions for asking for a discount, such as 'Waribiki shite moraemasu ka' and 'Mō sukoshi makete kuremasen ka', and explains when each is appropriate. You will also learn how to respond to counteroffers and close the deal. The focus is on spoken, polite Japanese that works in shops, markets, and online negotiations. By the end, you will be able to initiate a price negotiation confidently and naturally.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a discount using waribiki and makete in polite Japanese.
- propose a specific price or package deal during a negotiation.
- respond to a seller's counteroffer and close the deal.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
割引してもらえますか。
Can you give me a discount?
Waribiki shite moraemasu ka.
Standard polite request for a discount. Use in shops or online chats. Moraemasu ka asks whether you can receive the favor of the shop doing it for you.
もう少し負けてくれませんか。
Could you come down a little more?
Mō sukoshi makete kuremasen ka.
Softer, more conversational. Makete means 'give a reduction.' Kuremasen ka is a polite negative question, making it less pushy.
現金で払うので、安くしてもらえませんか。
If I pay in cash, could you make it cheaper?
Genkin de harau node, yasuku shite moraemasen ka.
Offers a reason for the discount. Genkin de harau node means 'because I will pay in cash.' Useful in small shops.
二つ買ったら、いくらになりますか。
If I buy two, how much will it be?
Futatsu kattara, ikura ni narimasu ka.
Asks for a bulk price without directly demanding a discount. Kattara is the conditional form of kau (to buy).
じゃあ、千円でどうですか。
Then, how about 1,000 yen?
Jā, sen en de dō desu ka.
Proposes a specific price. Dō desu ka means 'how about?' Use after the seller has hinted at flexibility.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '～てもらえますか' (te moraemasu ka) asks politely whether someone can do something for you. For discounts, combine it with '割引する' (waribiki suru) or '安くする' (yasuku suru). Example: 'もう少し安くしてもらえますか' (Mō sukoshi yasuku shite moraemasu ka) — 'Could you make it a little cheaper?' For a more casual but still polite alternative, use '～てくれませんか' (te kuremasen ka): '負けてくれませんか' (Makete kuremasen ka). The negative question form softens the request. To propose a specific price, use '～でどうですか' (de dō desu ka): '八千円でどうですか' (Hassen en de dō desu ka) — 'How about 8,000 yen?'
When to use it
Discount requests are common in independent shops, markets, and online marketplaces like Mercari, but not in department stores or chain stores where prices are fixed. Start with a polite 'すみません' (Sumimasen) to get attention. If the seller says '少々お待ちください' (Shōshō omachi kudasai) or '確認します' (Kakunin shimasu), they are checking. If they refuse with '申し訳ありませんが、無理です' (Mōshiwake arimasen ga, muri desu), accept gracefully: 'そうですか。わかりました' (Sō desu ka. Wakarimashita). In online chats, you can write '値下げ可能ですか' (Nesage kanō desu ka) — 'Is a price reduction possible?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、このバッグはいくらですか。
Excuse me, how much is this bag?Sumimasen, kono baggu wa ikura desu ka.一万円です。
It's 10,000 yen.Ichiman en desu.もう少し負けてくれませんか。八千円でどうですか。
Could you come down a little? How about 8,000 yen?Mō sukoshi makete kuremasen ka. Hassen en de dō desu ka.うーん、じゃあ九千円ならいいですよ。
Hmm, then 9,000 yen would be okay.Ūn, jā kyūsen en nara ii desu yo.A little context goes a long way
Bargaining is not universal in Japan. It is common in small independent shops, flea markets, and online flea market apps, but rare in department stores, convenience stores, and chain retailers where prices are fixed. Politeness and a friendly tone are essential; aggressive haggling can be seen as rude. Using '～てもらえますか' or '～てくれませんか' keeps the request respectful. In online transactions, a simple '値下げ可能ですか' is acceptable. Always be prepared to accept the seller's final price without pressure.
One thing to watch for
Directly translating 'Can you give me a discount?' as '割引をあげますか' (Waribiki o agemasu ka).
Try this instead: '割引をあげますか' is wrong because 'ageru' means 'to give' but is used for giving something to someone, not for a seller granting a discount. The correct verb is 'する' (suru) in the pattern '割引してもらえますか' (Waribiki shite moraemasu ka) or '割引してくれますか' (Waribiki shite kuremasu ka). Alternatively, use '負けてくれませんか' (Makete kuremasen ka) for 'Can you come down?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask for a discount in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
割引してもらえますか。
This uses the te-moraemasu ka pattern to ask for a favor politely. Other valid answers include '割引してくれますか' or '安くしてもらえますか'.
2What phrase can you use to propose a specific price of 5,000 yen?
Show a sample answer
五千円でどうですか。
The pattern '～でどうですか' means 'How about ~?' and is used to suggest a price. You could also say '五千円にしてもらえますか' (Can you make it 5,000 yen?).
3If the seller says '申し訳ありませんが、無理です', what should you say?
Show a sample answer
そうですか。わかりました。
This acknowledges the refusal politely. You could also say '大丈夫です' (That's fine) or 'また考えます' (I'll think about it).
Use '割引してもらえますか' or 'もう少し負けてくれませんか' to ask for a discount politely. Propose a specific price with '～でどうですか'. Always be respectful and ready to accept the seller's decision.
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