Japanese for English speakers Cafe · Lesson 4

Street food

Order Japanese street food — たこ焼き (takoyaki, fried octopus balls) — with 二つ下さい (futatsu kudasai, two please). Learn ください vs お願いします and the interjection あたたた! for hot-food pain.

Conversation

  1. Meera Meera

    こんにちは！

    Konnichiwa!

    Good morning!

  2. Meera Meera

    たこ焼きを二つ下さい

    takoyaki o futatsu kudasai

    Two takoyaki please

    Tip: <Takoyaki> = Traditional Japanese fried octopus balls <Futatsu> = Two of <Kudasai> = PLease/Please give me

  3. Kyle Kyle

    はい、どうぞ！

    Hai, dōzo!

    Yes, here you are!

  4. Meera Meera

    あたたたた！熱い

    Atatatata! Atsui

    Ouch! it's hot!

    Tip: <Atatatata> = Interjection to express pain when touching hot objects. <Atsui> = hot for drinks or by touch ("I" adjective). The pronunciation is the same as in "hot weather", but the kanji (Japanese character) is different.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What is たこ焼き (takoyaki)?

Bite-sized Japanese street food: spheres of batter filled with diced octopus, fried in a special pan, and topped with sauce, mayo, bonito flakes and seaweed.

What's the difference between ください and お願いします?

Both mean 'please'. ください is slightly more direct (you're requesting an action or object). お願いします is a bit more formal and humble.

How do you order multiple items?

Place the counter (〜つ) between the item and ください/お願いします: たこ焼きを二つください = 'two takoyaki, please'.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Japanese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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