Polite but weird
By the end you'll recognize when textbook-polite Japanese sounds unnatural in casual settings.
- 1
これお願いします
kore onegaishimasu
これをください is technically polite, but in casual shops and konbinis, これお願いします sounds much more natural.
Use when ordering or pointing at something in a shop, cafe, or konbini
これお願いします。
kore onegaishimasu.
This one, please.
Textbook version (sounds stiff)
これをください。
kore wo kudasai.
ください sounds like a command. お願いします is softer and more commonly used.
- 2
これ、いくらですか？
kore, ikura desu ka?
In textbooks you learn これはいくらですか but dropping the は sounds much more natural in a quick exchange.
Use when asking the price of an item in a shop or market
これ、いくらですか？
kore, ikura desu ka?
How much is this?
Textbook version (sounds stiff)
これはいくらですか？
kore wa ikura desu ka?
Not wrong, but the は makes it sound over-formal for pointing at something in a shop.
- 3
ちょっと…
chotto...
Instead of a flat いいえ or いりません, Japanese people soften refusals with ちょっと... and trail off.
Use when softly declining an offer or suggestion, avoiding a hard no
ちょっと…
chotto...
Hmm, I'll pass...
Textbook version (sounds stiff)
いいえ、いりません。
iie, irimasen.
A flat いいえ feels abrupt. ちょっと... with a trailing tone is much gentler.
Saved phrases collect at practice → saved; quiz them and they enter your review queue.