Theo Nash
Ordering alcohol in Japan can be tricky, especially when it comes to the nuances of the Japanese language. One such nuance is the addition of o when ordering drinks. For example, to order three beers, you would say Nama bîru o sanbai kudasai, with o being used to indicate the number of drinks desired. This addition of o is a specific grammatical rule in Japanese for counting liquids in containers. Politeness is also important when ordering, with kudasai meaning please and onegaishimasu being a more formal and polite version.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why 'o' is added when ordering alcohol in Japan | To indicate the number of drinks being ordered |
| Most popular alcoholic drink in Japan | Beer, which represents two-thirds of the total alcohol consumption |
| Beer producers in Japan | Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory, and Orion |
| Beer preference in Japan | Light lagers, but the craft beer scene is on the rise |
| How to say 'cheers' in Japanese | Kanpai |
| How to order a beer in Japanese | Nama bîru kudasai |
| How to say 'please' in Japanese | Kudasai or Onegaishimasu (more formal and polite) |
| Legal drinking age in Japan | 20 years or older |
| Drinking in public in Japan | Legal to drink open alcohol in public |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of saying 'please' when ordering alcohol in Japan
Japan is a country with a rich drinking culture, boasting a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, from beer and wine to Japanese liquors such as sake and umeshu. When it comes to ordering alcohol in Japan, it is of utmost importance to remember to say "please".
The Japanese language has two forms of saying please: "kudasai" and the more formal and polite "onegai shimasu". While ordering drinks, it is crucial to use one of these phrases to maintain politeness and respect, which are highly valued in Japanese culture. Failing to say "please" when ordering alcohol can be considered impolite and may not be well-received by the bartender or waiter.
For example, when ordering a beer, one would say "Nama biiru kudasai", with "nama biiru" meaning "beer" and "kudasai" meaning "please". Adding the word "o" before the drink, as in "Nama biiru o kudasai", further emphasises the request and makes it more respectful. This structure can be used for ordering other drinks as well, such as wine or cocktails, by replacing "nama biiru" with the desired beverage.
Additionally, when ordering drinks in a group setting, it is customary to order in rounds and toast together before drinking. This is usually done by saying "kanpai", which means "cheers". It is considered respectful to wait for everyone to receive their drinks before starting to drink.
Remembering to say "please" when ordering alcohol in Japan demonstrates your respect for the culture and language. It ensures that you are well-received by the bartender and waitstaff, and it can also help foster a positive drinking experience for everyone involved. So, the next time you find yourself at a bar in Japan, don't forget to add that "o" and say "please"!
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How to order a beer in Japanese
Ordering a beer in Japan is a little more complicated than just the language barrier. Firstly, it's important to know that the Japanese consume 9 billion litres of alcohol per year, with beer representing two-thirds of this figure. So, you're in good company!
Secondly, Japan is the seventh-largest producer of beer in the world, with 97% of the market held by four major Japanese industrial groups. The most popular beers in Japan are light lagers, but the craft beer scene is on the rise, so you'll be sure to find something to suit your taste.
Now, to the ordering. To order a basic draft beer, you simply need to say: "Nama bîru kudasai". Here, "nama bîru" means "beer", and "kudasai" means "please". You can just use "bîru" to refer to any beer, but the bartender may ask you to clarify which beer you want. If you have your eye on a more sophisticated beer, you can replace "nama bîru" with the name of the beer of your choice, for example, "Hoegaarden kudasai".
If you want to order more than one beer, you'll need to specify the number. In Japanese, you need to use specific numbers to count liquid in containers. To order three beers, for example, you would say: "Nama bîru o sanbai kudasai".
Finally, don't forget to say "please" and "cheers" or "kampai" in Japanese!
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How to order multiple drinks in Japanese
Ordering drinks in Japan can be intimidating, but it's not too hard. If you're seated at a restaurant, your server may ask, "Onomi mono wa?" (お飲み物は?) which means "Would you like a drink?". If you want to order more than one drink, you can use the basic numbers in Japanese: 1: hitotsu, 2: futatsu, 3: mitsu, 4: yotsu, 5: itsutu, 6: mutsu. You can also say "ninsu bun" to order one drink per person.
When ordering drinks, it's important to be polite, as this is ingrained in the Japanese language. You can say "kudasai" (ください) or the more formal "Onegaishimasu" (おねがいします) to mean "please". To say "cheers!" when clinking glasses, shout "KAMPAI" (乾杯).
If you want to order a beer, say "Toriaezu, nama o kudasai!" ("Draft beer, please!"). The word for beer is "biiru" (ビール), and you can order a specific number of beers by adding the number before "biiru", for example, "san biiru" for three beers. If you want to order a glass of white wine, say "Shiro wain kudasai" (白ワインください).
You can also use the Japanese word "to" to mean "and". So, if you want to order a beer and a tonkotsu ramen, you would say "Tonkotsu ramen to biiru onegai shimasu". If you're ordering from a menu with pictures, you can point to what you want and say, "Kore to kore to kore onegai shimasu" ("This one and this one and this one, please.").
Keep in mind that drinking laws in Japan allow drinking open alcohol in public. However, it is important to act respectfully and not cause any trouble. The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old, and it is important to follow the local laws when visiting a foreign country.
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Drinking laws in Japan
Japan has comparatively relaxed laws when it comes to drinking and alcohol consumption. While public intoxication is illegal in many countries, Japan has no such laws, and it is legal to be drunk in public. Similarly, drinking in public spaces is also legal in Japan, although this only applies to public/outdoor spaces and not private property.
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20, and the law applies equally to locals and foreigners. Foreigners who are caught drinking while under the legal age risk jail time or deportation. The law has been in place since 1922 and is supported by educational initiatives and awareness campaigns. When buying alcohol, individuals who appear to be under the age of 20 may be asked to show ID.
Beer is the most popular drink in Japan, with four major producers: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory. Most drinkers prefer light lagers, but the craft beer scene is also growing in popularity. Sake, or Japanese rice wine, is another popular drink, typically served hot or cold. Other Japanese liquors include umeshu (plum wine) and shochu, a distilled beverage made from rice, wheat, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar.
When ordering drinks in Japan, it is considered impolite to pour for yourself. It is customary to offer to pour for others, and it is also acceptable to refuse additional drinks by leaving some liquid in your glass. Politeness is important when ordering, and phrases such as kudasai or "oneigaishimasu" (the more formal version) are used to say "please." To say "cheers," simply shout "kampai!"
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Drinking etiquette in Japan, including what to drink and what to say
Drinking is a big part of Japanese culture, with the country producing 9 billion litres of alcohol per year. Beer is the most popular drink, but there are also many other alcoholic drinks to try, such as sake, shochu, umeshu (plum wine), and the famous Japanese highball. Drinking games are also common in Japan, with one popular game being Takenoko Takenoko Nyoki Ki, which means bamboo tree.
If you're drinking with colleagues or seniors, it's important to know your place in the pecking order. It is customary for those lower in the hierarchy to pour drinks for their superiors, with women pouring drinks for men. When pouring a drink for someone else, use both hands to hold the bottle, ensuring that the label faces upwards, and hold the glass at a slight angle to facilitate the refill. It is also polite to initially refuse a drink, but this is usually just a formality, and the person pouring will insist.
When you're at a bar, it's important to queue politely and not push in front of others. To order a beer, you can say "nama biiru kudasai", and to order several beers, you would say "nama biiru o [number] kudasai", using the specific Japanese numbers for liquid in containers, such as "hitotsu", "futatsu", and "mitsu". For other drinks, simply replace "nama biiru" with the beverage of your choice. For example, to order a glass of white wine, you would say "shiro wain kudasai".
Before drinking, it is customary to wait for everyone to be served and then say "kanpai", the Japanese word for "cheers". When clinking glasses, your glass should be at a lower angle than that of your superior or elder. It is also important to fill others' glasses and not your own, and to reciprocate the pour when someone fills your glass.
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Frequently asked questions
'O' is added to indicate the number of drinks being ordered. For example, if you want to order three beers, you would say "Nama bîru o sanbai kudasai", with 'o' acting as a connector between the object and the number.
The Japanese word for "please" is "kudasai". It is considered impolite to forget to use this when ordering drinks in Japan.
"Cheers" in Japanese is "kampai" or "kanpai". It is customary to cheer with a loud "kampai" before drinking with a group.
Beer is the most popular drink in Japan, with two-thirds of the 9 billion litres of alcohol consumed annually being beer.
To order drinks in an izakaya, you can use the phrase "toriaezu", meaning "for now", followed by the drink name and "kudasai". For example, "Toriaezu, nama biru kudasai" for a draft beer.
