In this workshop you will practice polite Japanese for ordering and responding. You will hear short recorded lines and use them in a simple cafe scene. The goal is to say a request clearly, understand a reply, and then recall the correct line for each role. You can play both the customer and the staff member. Listen, repeat, and check yourself with the answers given after each task.
Polite Requests with Please
A polite request often ends with a please phrase. The recorded line «これをお願いします。» means "This one, please." You can use it while pointing at an item on a menu. The recorded line «お水をお願いします。» means "Water, please." It is a short, clear request for a drink. The recorded line «メニューをください。» means "Please give me the menu." This one names the item you want. Notice that the please part comes after the item. When you speak, keep your voice calm and friendly. Say the item first, then add the please phrase. Practice each line slowly, then at a natural speed.
Thanking and Responding
The recorded line «ありがとうございます。» means "Thank you very much" or simply "Thank you." You can say it when you receive something or when someone helps you. In a cafe scene, the customer orders with «すみません、ラーメンをお願いします。», which means "Excuse me, ramen, please." The staff member replies with «はい、ラーメンですね。少々お待ちください。», which means "Yes, ramen, right. Please wait a moment." The customer then says «ありがとうございます。», which means "Thank you." Later, the staff member brings the food and says «お待たせしました。どうぞ。», which means "Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you are." These lines show a polite exchange. The customer requests, the staff confirms, and both use thank-you phrases.
Roles and Timing
In this scene, the customer speaks first with a request. The staff member answers with a confirmation and a short wait phrase. Then the customer thanks the staff. Finally, the staff member returns with the item and a polite delivery phrase. When you practice, decide which role you are playing. If you are the customer, use the request and thank-you lines. If you are the staff member, use the confirmation and delivery lines. You can switch roles after one round. Listen to the recording again if you are not sure which line belongs to which role. The goal is to respond with the correct line at the correct moment.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
これをお願いします。
This one, please.
kore o onegai shimasu
お水をお願いします。
Water, please.
omizu o onegai shimasu
メニューをください。
Please give me the menu.
menyū o kudasai
ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much. / Thank you.
arigatō gozaimasu
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、ラーメンをお願いします。
Excuse me, ramen, please.はい、ラーメンですね。少々お待ちください。
Yes, ramen, right. Please wait a moment.ありがとうございます。
Thank you.お待たせしました。どうぞ。
Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you are.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Cafe Order
Imagine you are a customer in a small cafe. You want to order ramen. The staff member is ready to take your order.
Your task: Listen to the recorded line «すみません、ラーメンをお願いします。» and repeat it clearly. Then listen to the staff reply «はい、ラーメンですね。少々お待ちください。» and repeat it. Finally, say the thank-you line «ありがとうございます。» as the customer.
Choose the Right Reply
You hear a customer say the recorded line «すみません、ラーメンをお願いします。». You are the staff member and need to answer politely.
Your task: Choose the correct staff reply from these two recorded lines: «はい、ラーメンですね。少々お待ちください。» or «お待たせしました。どうぞ。». Say your choice out loud. Then check the answer below.
Recall the Scene
You will rebuild the cafe scene from memory. The customer orders ramen, the staff confirms, the customer thanks, and the staff delivers the food.
Your task: Say the four lines in order without looking at the recordings. Use the customer line first, then the staff reply, then the customer thank-you, then the staff delivery line. After you finish, check the answer below.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every line before speaking?
No. Start by listening and repeating one line at a time. Use the recordings as your model. After a few rounds, try to say the lines without looking. If you forget, listen again and repeat. The goal is comfortable practice, not perfect memory.
Can I use these lines in a real cafe?
These lines are polite and short, so they can work in simple situations. However, real cafes may have different menus or routines. Use the recorded lines as a starting point, and listen carefully to the staff. If you are unsure, you can point at the menu and use a please line.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: saying please and thank youChecked September 2026
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