#19

Saying what you want to buy

手袋が欲しいんですが I'd like a pair of gloves.

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Tam is planning to travel to Hokkaido with Mi Ya and Kaito. She's come to buy some gloves to prepare for the trip.

Skit
Vocabulary

あのう

anoo

um

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すみません

sumimasen

excuse me

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手袋

tebukuro

gloves

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欲しい

hoshii

want

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こちら

kochira

over here

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これ

kore

this/these

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あったかい

attakai

warm

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いい

ii

nice

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いくら

ikura

how much

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1,900円

sen-kyuuhyaku-en

1,900 yen

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カード

kaado

credit card

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使う

tsukau

use

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はい

hai

yes

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Key Phrase

Saying what you want to buy

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To tell a clerk what you want to buy, say "[thing] ga hoshiin desu ga." "Hoshii" means "want." By adding "n desu ga," you can explain your situation to the person you’re talking to and prompt that person to respond. Weaken your pitch as you lower the intonation at the end of the sentence.

Object-indicating particle "ga":
"Hoshii" or "want" is an I-adjective. To indicate what you want (object), add the particle "ga" as in "tebukuro ga hoshii" or "I'd like a pair of gloves." To show the object of a verb, you use a different particle "o" as in "tebukuro o kaimasu" or "I'll buy a pair of gloves."

Learn more!

Use It!
Try It Out!

Try saying what you want to buy

1Which of these three choices is the correct way to say this sentence in Japanese?

Excuse me. I'd like a traditional wrapping cloth.

traditional wrapping cloth

風呂敷

furoshiki

2Say the sentence in Japanese, using the following word(s).

Excuse me. I'd like XXX.

あのう、すみません。~が欲しいんですが。

Anoo, sumimasen. ~ga hoshiin desu ga.

umbrella

kasa

3Say the sentence in Japanese, using the following word(s).

Excuse me. I'd like XXX.

あのう、すみません。~が欲しいんですが。

Anoo, sumimasen. ~ga hoshiin desu ga.

battery

電池

denchi

Bonus Phrase

Use this phrase to find out if you can use a credit card. "Tsukaeru" or "can use" is the potential form of "tsukau" or "to use."

Kanji

Bonsai (bonsai)

Culture

Haru-san’s Bagful of Advice

Credit Cards in Japan

The number of Japanese stores accepting credit cards and other means of payment is increasing.

But some shops only take cash.
It’s wise to prepare a certain amount of cash when traveling in Japan.
Some post offices and convenience stores have ATMs that allow cash withdrawals with credit cards.
Trip tip

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