Japanese for Ramen Ticket Machines: Read 売り切れ and Choose an Alternative
Learn to spot a sold-out button on a ramen ticket machine, ask これは売り切れですか, and pick another dish with 別のもの or おすすめはどれですか.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
You are standing in front of a ramen 食券機 (shokkenki, ticket machine). Most buttons are lit, but one ramen button is greyed out. The word next to it is 売り切れ (urikire), meaning sold out. This lesson teaches you to recognise that word, confirm it with staff using これは売り切れですか, and move on without freezing. You will also learn to ask for a different item with 別のもの and to request a recommendation with おすすめはどれですか. Finally, you will practise committing to a choice with 〜にします. The language is neutral spoken Japanese for a counter or ticket-machine setting, so you can use it politely with staff or other customers.
By the end, you can…
- read 売り切れ next to a greyed-out button on a ticket machine.
- ask これは売り切れですか to confirm that an item is unavailable.
- ask for a different item using 別のもの and ask for a recommendation with おすすめはどれですか.
- decide and state my choice using 〜にします.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
これは売り切れですか。
Is this sold out?
kore wa urikire desu ka.
Point at the greyed-out button or the 売り切れ label when you say this. It is a polite yes/no question for staff.
別のものはありますか。
Is there something else? / Do you have another one?
betsu no mono wa arimasu ka.
Use this after you learn that your first choice is unavailable. It asks broadly for an alternative.
おすすめはどれですか。
Which one do you recommend?
osusume wa dore desu ka.
Ask this when you want staff to point to a popular or available button. It does not guarantee a specific dish.
じゃあ、これにします。
Then I'll go with this one.
jā, kore ni shimasu.
Say this while pointing at the button you have chosen. It signals a decision at the machine or counter.
売り切れ
sold out
urikire
This word appears next to a button that cannot be selected. Recognise it before you try to press the button.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜は売り切れですか asks whether a specific item is sold out. Put the item name before は. For example, これは売り切れですか (kore wa urikire desu ka) means 'Is this sold out?' If you know the ramen name, you can say 味噌ラーメンは売り切れですか (miso rāmen wa urikire desu ka), 'Is the miso ramen sold out?' The word 売り切れ is a noun-like state, so you do not need to conjugate it in this question. To choose an alternative, use 〜にします. For example, 醤油ラーメンにします (shōyu rāmen ni shimasu) means 'I'll go with the soy sauce ramen.' This pattern marks your decision. You can also say じゃあ、これにします (jaa, kore ni shimasu), 'Then I'll go with this one,' while pointing.
When to use it
Use これは売り切れですか when you see a greyed-out button or the word 売り切れ and want to confirm with staff. It is neutral and polite enough for a ticket-machine counter. If the answer is はい、売り切れです (hai, urikire desu), you can respond with 別のものはありますか (betsu no mono wa arimasu ka) to ask for another option. If you are unsure what to pick, ask おすすめはどれですか (osusume wa dore desu ka). Staff may point to a button or say a dish name. Once you decide, say 〜にします to make your choice clear. For example, じゃあ、豚骨ラーメンにします (jaa, tonkotsu rāmen ni shimasu), 'Then I'll go with the tonkotsu ramen.' This keeps the interaction moving without long explanations.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、これは売り切れですか。
Excuse me, is this sold out?sumimasen, kore wa urikire desu ka.はい、売り切れです。すみません。
Yes, it's sold out. Sorry.hai, urikire desu. sumimasen.そうですか。おすすめはどれですか。
I see. Which one do you recommend?sō desu ka. osusume wa dore desu ka.この醤油ラーメンがいいですよ。
This soy sauce ramen is good.kono shōyu rāmen ga ii desu yo.A little context goes a long way
At a ramen ticket machine, staff usually stay behind the counter, so pointing and short questions are normal. すみません (sumimasen) is a safe way to get attention. The word 売り切れ is neutral and factual, not rude. When staff recommend something, they may say 〜がいいですよ, which means '〜 is good.' You are not obliged to accept; you can still choose another button. Keep your voice at a conversational level and avoid pressing a greyed-out button, as it will not respond.
One thing to watch for
Trying to press the greyed-out button repeatedly or saying これは売り切れますか (kore wa urikiremasu ka) as if 売り切れ were a verb you conjugate.
Try this instead: 売り切れ is used as a state, so ask これは売り切れですか (kore wa urikire desu ka). If you want to say 'It is sold out,' say 売り切れです (urikire desu). Do not add ます to 売り切れ in this question.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You see a greyed-out button with 売り切れ next to it. How do you confirm with staff that it is sold out?
Show a sample answer
これは売り切れですか。
This uses the pattern 〜は売り切れですか with これ pointing to the button. You could also name the dish, for example 味噌ラーメンは売り切れですか, if you know it.
2Staff say はい、売り切れです。You want to ask if there is another option. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
別のものはありますか。
別のものはありますか asks broadly for something else. You could also ask おすすめはどれですか if you want a recommendation instead.
3You have decided on the 醤油ラーメン button. How do you state your choice using 〜にします?
Show a sample answer
じゃあ、醤油ラーメンにします。
〜にします marks your decision. じゃあ softens the transition. You could also say これにします while pointing if you do not want to say the full dish name.
Read 売り切れ before you press. Confirm with これは売り切れですか, ask for another with 別のものはありますか or おすすめはどれですか, and commit with 〜にします.
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