Stop translating in your head

1. 1

   すみません、〜はありますか？

   sumimasen, ~wa arimasu ka?

   'Do you have...?', Beginners often say ありますか directly, but starting with すみません makes it much more natural.

   Use when asking if a shop has a specific item, checking availability

   すみません、お茶はありますか？

   sumimasen, ocha wa arimasu ka?

   Excuse me, do you have green tea?

   Textbook version (sounds stiff)

   お茶ありますか？

   ocha arimasu ka?

   Jumping straight to ありますか without すみません sounds demanding.

2. 2

   これは何ですか？

   kore wa nan desu ka?

   Pointing at something and asking 'What is this?', use the natural version, not a stiff translation.

   Use when asking what an unfamiliar food or product is at a shop or restaurant

   すみません、これは何ですか？

   sumimasen, kore wa nan desu ka?

   What is this?

   Textbook version (sounds stiff)

   これは何という食べ物ですか？

   kore wa nan to iu tabemono desu ka?

   Way too complex for a casual question. Just say これは何ですか.

3. 3

   〜はどこですか？

   ~wa doko desu ka?

   Looking for something? Keep it simple, don't over-explain.

   Use when asking where to find a product in a store, looking for a section

   すみません、飲み物はどこですか？

   sumimasen, nomimono wa doko desu ka?

   Where are the drinks?

   Textbook version (sounds stiff)

   飲み物の売り場はどちらですか？

   nomimono no uriba wa dochira desu ka?

   売り場 and どちら are unnecessarily formal for a quick shop question.

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