In this workshop, you will practice a short hotel conversation in Japanese. You will learn how to ask for two more towels, ask when they will arrive, and understand a simple reply about delivery. The phrases are polite and useful at a front desk or on the phone with housekeeping. You can play both the guest and the staff role with the recordings. Listen, repeat, and then try the three tasks. Each task includes a self-check so you can confirm your answer.
Making a Polite Request
Start with a polite request for two more towels. The phrase «タオルをあと二枚お願いします。» means "Could I have two more towels, please?" The word "ato" means "more" and "nimai" is the counter for flat items like towels. A slightly more polite version is «タオルをもう二枚いただけますか。», which means "Could I have two more towels?" Here "mou" also means "more," and "itadakemasu ka" is a humble way to ask "could I receive." Use either phrase at the front desk or on the phone. If you need them immediately, add «今すぐお願いします。», which means "Right now, please." The word "ima sugu" means "right now." You can combine the request and the time in one sentence, as in «すみません、タオルをあと二枚お願いします。», which means "Excuse me, could I have two more towels, please?"
Asking About Delivery Time
After making your request, ask when the towels will arrive. The phrase «いつ届きますか。» means "When will it arrive?" The verb "todokimasu" means "will arrive" or "will be delivered." You can use this question after your request. In the recorded dialogue, the guest says «今すぐお願いします。いつ届きますか。», which means "Right now, please. When will they arrive?" The staff member replies with «10分ほどでお部屋にお届けします。», which means "We will deliver them to your room in about 10 minutes." Notice that the staff uses polite language. You do not need to produce that staff phrase yourself in this workshop, but you should understand it when you hear it. The staff may also ask you a question first, as in «かしこまりました。いつお届けすればよろしいですか。», which means "Certainly. When would you like them delivered?"
Putting It Together
A full exchange can be short and polite. First, get the staff member's attention with "sumimasen," which means "excuse me." Then make your request using «タオルをあと二枚お願いします。» or «タオルをもう二枚いただけますか。». If the staff asks when you want delivery, answer with «今すぐお願いします。» for "right now." You can also ask «いつ届きますか。» to check the arrival time. The staff may reply with «10分ほどでお部屋にお届けします。», telling you the towels will come to your room in about 10 minutes. Practice both roles: guest and staff. As the guest, focus on clear, polite requests. As the staff, focus on understanding the question and giving a simple time. You can pause the audio and repeat each line until you feel comfortable.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
タオルをあと二枚お願いします。
Could I have two more towels, please?
Taoru o ato nimai onegaishimasu.
タオルをもう二枚いただけますか。
Could I have two more towels?
Taoru o mou nimai itadakemasu ka.
いつ届きますか。
When will it arrive?
Itsu todokimasu ka.
今すぐお願いします。
Right now, please.
Ima sugu onegaishimasu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、タオルをあと二枚お願いします。
Excuse me, could I have two more towels, please?かしこまりました。いつお届けすればよろしいですか。
Certainly. When would you like them delivered?今すぐお願いします。いつ届きますか。
Right now, please. When will they arrive?10分ほどでお部屋にお届けします。
We will deliver them to your room in about 10 minutes.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Request Towels
Imagine you are a hotel guest in room 305. You need two more towels because the bathroom only has one. You will hear a staff member ask when you would like them delivered.
Your task: Listen to «かしこまりました。いつお届けすればよろしいですか。». Then respond with a polite request for two more towels and say you want them right now. Use the pattern from «タオルをあと二枚お願いします。» or «タオルをもう二枚いただけますか。», and add «今すぐお願いします。».
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Time
You are still the guest in room 305. You have just asked for towels. The staff replies with a delivery time.
Your task: Listen to «10分ほどでお部屋にお届けします。». Then choose the correct meaning: (a) The towels will arrive in about 10 minutes. (b) The towels will arrive tomorrow. (c) The towels are already in your room.
Recall with Correct Roles
Now switch roles. You are the staff member. A guest in room 305 makes a request and asks about delivery time.
Your task: Listen to «すみません、タオルをあと二枚お願いします。» and «今すぐお願いします。いつ届きますか。». Then say what the guest wants and when they want it. Use English for your answer.
Common questions
What is the difference between «タオルをあと二枚お願いします。» and «タオルをもう二枚いただけますか。»?
Both mean "Could I have two more towels?" «タオルをあと二枚お願いします。» uses "onegaishimasu," which is a standard polite request and is safe to use at a hotel. «タオルをもう二枚いただけますか。» uses "itadakemasu ka," which is a more humble and slightly more polite way to ask. You can use either one at a hotel.
How do I ask when the towels will arrive?
Use «いつ届きますか。», which means "When will it arrive?" Say it after your request. If you need them immediately, add «今すぐお願いします。», which means "Right now, please." The staff may then reply with a time, such as in «10分ほどでお部屋にお届けします。».
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for extra towelsChecked September 2026
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