Ordering Professionally in Japanese: Workplace Etiquette and Keigo
Learn to order food or drinks in a business setting using polite Japanese, including keigo, appropriate phrases, and cultural nuances for professional interactions.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In Japanese business culture, even a simple act like ordering food or drinks requires careful attention to politeness and hierarchy. Unlike casual outings with friends, where plain or casual forms are acceptable, professional settings demand the use of keigo (honorific language) to show respect to colleagues, superiors, and clients. This lesson focuses on the specific language and etiquette needed when ordering in a work context, such as at a business lunch, a nomikai (drinking party), or when hosting clients. You will learn key phrases for making requests, asking for recommendations, and responding appropriately, all while navigating the complex web of social relationships. By mastering these patterns, you demonstrate professionalism and cultural awareness, which are highly valued in Japanese workplaces.
By the end, you can…
- order food or drinks politely in a business setting using keigo.
- use appropriate phrases to ask for recommendations and make requests to superiors or clients.
- respond to offers and confirm orders with proper etiquette.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、注文をお願いします。
Excuse me, I'd like to order.
Sumimasen, chūmon o onegaishimasu.
A polite way to get the server's attention and indicate you're ready to order. Appropriate in any restaurant setting, including business contexts.
おすすめは何ですか。
What do you recommend?
Osusume wa nan desu ka.
Ask this to the server when you're unsure what to order. It's polite and shows you value their opinion.
私は天ぷら定食にします。
I'll have the tempura set meal.
Watashi wa tenpura teishoku ni shimasu.
Use 'ni shimasu' to state your choice politely. This is appropriate for business meals.
お飲み物は何になさいますか。
What would you like to drink?
O-nomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka.
This is keigo, used when asking a superior or client what they would like to drink. Use it when you are hosting.
かしこまりました。
Certainly. / Understood.
Kashikomarimashita.
A very polite way to acknowledge an order or instruction. Use when confirming a request from a superior or client.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
When ordering in a professional setting, use the pattern '～をお願いします' (~ o onegaishimasu) to make a polite request. For example, 'コーヒーをお願いします' (Kōhī o onegaishimasu) means 'Coffee, please.' This is more polite than 'コーヒーください' (Kōhī kudasai), which is acceptable but less formal. For stating your choice, use '～にします' (~ ni shimasu), as in '私は寿司にします' (Watashi wa sushi ni shimasu) meaning 'I'll have sushi.' When asking a superior what they want, use the honorific form '～になさいますか' (~ ni nasaimasu ka), e.g., 'お飲み物は何になさいますか' (O-nomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka).
When to use it
Use these polite forms when dining with colleagues, superiors, or clients. For example, at a business lunch, you might say to a senior colleague, '課長、お飲み物は何になさいますか' (Kachō, o-nomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka) meaning 'Section Chief, what would you like to drink?' When the server comes, you can say 'すみません、注文をお願いします' (Sumimasen, chūmon o onegaishimasu). If you are the host, you might ask 'おすすめは何ですか' (Osusume wa nan desu ka) to the server. Avoid casual forms like '何にする？' (Nani ni suru?) with superiors, as it's too informal.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、注文をお願いします。
Excuse me, I'd like to order.Sumimasen, chūmon o onegaishimasu.はい、かしこまりました。お飲み物は何になさいますか。
Yes, certainly. What would you like to drink?Hai, kashikomarimashita. O-nomimono wa nan ni nasaimasu ka.私はビールにします。田中さんは？
I'll have beer. How about you, Tanaka-san?Watashi wa bīru ni shimasu. Tanaka-san wa?では、私もビールをお願いします。
Then I'll have beer as well, please.De wa, watashi mo bīru o onegaishimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese business settings, the way you order reflects your understanding of hierarchy and group harmony. It's common for the most senior person to order first, or for the host to ask others what they want. Using keigo when speaking to superiors or clients is expected. Additionally, when someone pours you a drink, you should hold your glass and perhaps say 'ありがとうございます' (Arigatō gozaimasu). Avoid starting to eat or drink before the most senior person at the table does. These small gestures show respect and professionalism.
One thing to watch for
Using casual forms like 'ビールちょうだい' (Bīru chōdai) or 'ビールでいい' (Bīru de ii) when ordering with superiors.
Try this instead: Use polite forms such as 'ビールをお願いします' (Bīru o onegaishimasu) or 'ビールにします' (Bīru ni shimasu). For example, instead of 'コーヒーでいい' (Kōhī de ii), say 'コーヒーをお願いします' (Kōhī o onegaishimasu).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a superior what they would like to drink?
Show a sample answer
お飲み物は何になさいますか。
This uses the honorific form 'なさいますか' to show respect. Alternatively, you could say 'お飲み物は何がよろしいですか' (O-nomimono wa nani ga yoroshii desu ka), which is also polite.
2What phrase would you use to get the server's attention and order in a business setting?
Show a sample answer
すみません、注文をお願いします。
This is a standard polite phrase. You could also say 'すみません、オーダーをお願いします' (Sumimasen, ōdā o onegaishimasu), but '注文' is more common.
3How do you state your order politely, for example, 'I'll have the sushi set'?
Show a sample answer
私は寿司定食にします。
Using 'にします' indicates your choice politely. You could also say '寿司定食をお願いします' (Sushi teishoku o onegaishimasu), which is equally polite.
In professional Japanese settings, always use polite language (keigo) when ordering, ask superiors what they want with honorific forms, and avoid casual expressions. A little etiquette goes a long way in building good business relationships.
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