Okay… So, this time, I’m not talking about the words that you’re greeted with by shopkeepers when you come in the door (but just an FYI, they are saying Irrashaimase which is pretty much ‘Welcome to our store’ and…. yes you can repeat it back to them if you want to but it’s probably about as awkward as when a waiter says ‘Enjoy your meal’ and you say ‘You too!’…. I think a smile back, a simple konnichiwa or even ‘Hello’ will do just fine…..) BUT I AM talking about those moments where you’re actually standing at the register…. and don’t know how to respond…..
1. メンバーズカードお持ちでしょうか？Menbaazu kaado omochi deshou ka? OR ポイントカードお持ちでしょうか？Pointo kaado omochi deshou ka?
Means: Do you have a Members card? / Do you have a point card?
Answering YES: はい、持っています Hai. Motteimasu.
Answering NO: いいえ、持っていません Iie. Motteimasen (and if someone asks if you want to sign up for one and you don’t? Just say いいえ、結構です Iie, Keikou desu which means ‘No Thank you.’
2. ご自宅用ですか？Gojitakuyou desu ka? OR プレゼント用ですか？ Purezentoyou desu ka?
Means: Is this for personal/at-home use? OR Is this a gift ?
Answering that it is for personal use: 自宅用です Jitakuyou desu.
Answering that it is a gift: プレゼント用です Purezentoyou desu.
3. (When using a credit card….)
お支払いは一括でよろしいでしょうか？Oshiharai wa ikkatsu de yoroshii deshou ka?
Means: Shall we charge you in a single installment? *
*In Japan, credit card customers are able to pay for items in installments, if they choose to / have that arrangement set-up with their bank.
Answering YES to a single installment / standard credit card purchase: はい、一括です Hai, Ikkatsu desu
4. お荷物まとめましょうか？Onimotsu matomemashou ka?
Means: Shall I consolidate your shopping bags?
( Now this is as much a cultural/ customer service related question as it is related to language as I certainly haven’t been asked this in any other country … but if I have had a big day of shopping and am holding several bags.. most shops will offer you a large bag to consolidate your purchases and make it easier to carry. It’s such a handy idea – especially if you have to catch the train or walk a little bit to get home. It definitely helps me to not lose random bags along the way.)
Answering YES PLEASE: はい、お願いします Hai, Onegaishimasu
Answering NO, THANKS: いいえ、結構です Iie, Keikou desu.
5. 配達ですか？お持ち帰りですか？ Haitatsu desu ka? Omochikaeri desu ka?
Means: Is this for delivery ? Will you take this (home with you) now?
Answering yes to DELIVERY: 配達です Haitatsu desu
Answering yes to TAKING IT HOME NOW: 持ち帰りです Mochikaeri desu.
*After these suggestions, if you’re still struggling and the communication isn’t quite going how you thought it would …. I wrote a post here on what to do when communication just isn’t happening (here) with lots of other little tips and tricks to try.
I also have a post on how I recommend go about getting good at conversational Japanese as quickly as you can (here) – hope it provides some inspo.
