This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by 
-
Posts
-
Hey Guys,
I’m up to the “want” chapter in season 4. I’m just wondering if ほしい is what you would use if you were in a restaurant or something? As it translates it would seem a little rude I believe. Would adding ください make it acceptable, or will I find out what I should be using later on?
Thanks everyone :)
Andrew
As in “I want the ramen”? Dunno if you’d use that in a restaurant – probably ラーメンをください (ramen, please) or ラーメンにします (I’ve decided on ramen).
In a department store, you might use ほしい or ～たい at the information counter – セーターがほしいです (I want a sweater) is less direct than “please tell me where the sweaters are”, even if it doesn’t seem like that in English. Or セーターを買いたいです (I’d like to buy a sweater).
Joel’s example of ください would be sufficient, but there’s also another alternative with おねがいします. It is used the same way without the を and is just a more formal way or way to be extra polite to people that are going to be handling your food.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.