At the Restaurant (5)
Expressions used by a cashierIn Japan, people usually pay at the cash desk rather than at the table. Waiters, waitresses or cashiers in restaurants and store clerks use very polite expressions to the customers.
The cashier may tell you how much the check is with these expressions.
| 1500 en | itadakimasu. いただきます。 |
| ni narimasu. になります。 | |
| de gozaimasu. でございます。 | |
| desu. です。 |
(a) Itadakimasu
"Itadaku (itadakimasu)" is a humble honorific verb which means "to receive." It is used when a giver is superior to a receiver. When the giver is equal or inferior to the receiver, the verb "morau" is used.
| Sensei kara hon o itadakimashita. 先生から本をいただきました。 | I received a book from the teacher. |
| Tomodachi kara hana o moraimashita. 友達から花をもらいました。 | I received a flower from my friend. |
"Itadaku" can be a polite form of "taberu (to eat)." The Japanese say "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisousama (deshita)" after eating.
(b) Narimasu
"Naru (narimasu)" means "to become."
| Samuku narimashita. 寒くなりました。 | It has gotten cold. |
| Takashi wa bengoshi ni narimashita. 隆は弁護士になりました。 | Takashi became a lawyer. |
(c) Gozaimasu
"Gozaimasu" is used as a humble honorific or as simple politeness. Waiter, waitress or store clerks often use it as a humble honorific, though it is very polite when used in a daily conversation.
| Asoko ni gozaimasu. あそこにございます。 (as a humble honorific) | It is over there. |
| Ohayou gozaimasu. おはようございます。 (as simple politeness) | Good morning. |
The cashier may use these expressions when giving your change.
| 500 en | no okaeshi ni narimasu. のお返しになります。 |
| no okaeshi desu. のお返しです。 | |
| no otsuri desu. のおつりです。 |
