Free guide · 5 min read
Japanese for shopping
Prices, paying, sizes and the polite “just looking”. Shop staff are famously helpful, and a few phrases turn that from intimidating to easy.
You don't need to negotiate - prices are fixed almost everywhere. You mostly need to ask a price, say how you'll pay, and occasionally ask for another size.
Prices & paying
いくらですか。
ikura desu ka.
How much is it?
カードで いいですか。
kādo de ii desu ka.
Is card OK?
ふくろは いりません。
fukuro wa irimasen.
I don't need a bag.
Why it works
Japan is still cash-friendly; カードで いいですか saves the awkward moment at a cash-only till. いりません = “I don't need it”, useful for bags, receipts and points cards.
Browsing & sizes
みているだけです。
mite iru dake desu.
I'm just looking.
もっと おおきいのは ありますか。
motto ōkii no wa arimasu ka.
Do you have a bigger one?
きてみても いいですか。
kite mite mo ii desu ka.
May I try it on?
Why it works
みているだけです politely waves off help without brushing the person off. Swap おおきい (ōkii, big) for ちいさい (chiisai, small) to ask for a smaller size.
These phrases get built into real conversation in the90 day course. The first week needs no account.