Why Japan?Japanese Phrases for a Convenience Store
Heat it up? A bag? Chopsticks? The questions you’ll hear at a konbini register, and how to answer them.
Tap Show to display a phrase in large Japanese for the staff.
Questions at the register
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You’ll hear
温めますか？
Atatamemasu ka?
Shall I heat it up?
Asked for bento boxes and other ready meals. Answer hai (yes) or daijōbu desu (no, thank you).
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You’ll hear
袋はご利用ですか？
Fukuro wa goriyō desu ka?
Do you need a bag?
Plastic checkout bags usually cost a few yen, so the staff ask first.
Why?
Since July 2020, shops in Japan have had to charge for most disposable plastic checkout bags; the price is set by each store. Many people carry a folding bag of their own.
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You’ll hear
お箸はおつけしますか？
Ohashi wa otsuke shimasu ka?
Would you like chopsticks?
Or a spoon (supūn) or fork (fōku), depending on what you bought.
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You’ll hear
ポイントカードはお持ちですか？
Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka?
Do you have a point card?
Asked at most chains. Shake your head, or say Motte imasen (I don’t have one).
Your answers
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はい、お願いします
Hai, onegai shimasu
Yes, please.
For heating, a bag, or chopsticks. If they ask about a point card and you have one, just show the card.
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大丈夫です
Daijōbu desu
No, thank you. / I’m fine.
Often means “no, thank you” here — for a bag, heating or chopsticks. If it might be misunderstood, use a more specific answer below.
Why?
Daijōbu literally means “all right”, so in some situations it can sound like yes. Staff usually understand it as a polite no at the register, but a specific phrase is always clearer.
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袋はいりません
Fukuro wa irimasen
I don’t need a bag.
The clearest way to decline a bag.
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持っていません
Motte imasen
I don’t have one.
The answer to the point-card question.
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袋をください
Fukuro o kudasai
A bag, please.
If the staff did not ask.
Paying
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カードでお願いします
Kādo de onegai shimasu
By card, please.
Or Suica de (with Suica) for an IC card. Follow the screen or the staff — you usually tap or insert the card yourself.
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レシートは大丈夫です
Reshīto wa daijōbu desu
I don’t need the receipt.
Many stores also have a small box for unwanted receipts by the register.
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You’ll hear
画面のタッチをお願いします
Gamen no tatchi o onegai shimasu
Please touch the screen.
When you buy alcohol or cigarettes, some registers ask you to tap the screen to confirm you are 20 or over. It varies by store, and staff may still ask to see photo ID.
