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Words You'll Actually Use

What do you recommend?

By the end you'll ask for recommendations at restaurants, shops, and tourist spots.

N5 N5 to N4 · 3 phrases

Part of the guide: How to Order Food in Japanese: A Script for Your First Restaurant Visit →

  1. 1

    osusume wa nan desu ka?

    The universal recommendation question. Works at restaurants, shops, tourist spots, everywhere.

    Use when asking for a recommendation at a restaurant, shop, or any service

    osusume wa nan desu ka?

    What do you recommend?

  2. 2

    ninki ga aru no wa nan desu ka?

    Asking what's popular. A slightly different angle, what do most people get?

    Use when asking what the popular or best-selling item is at a shop or restaurant

    ninki ga aru no wa nan desu ka?

    What's popular here?

  3. 3

    hajimete nan desu kedo

    Tell them it's your first time, staff will often give you extra help and recommendations.

    Use when telling staff it's your first time visiting a place, asking for beginner guidance

    hajimete nan desu kedo, osusume wa arimasu ka?

    This is my first time, so...

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