アラカルト
arakaruto
The phrase アラカルト (arakaruto) is the Japanese way to say "a la carte", referring to ordering individual dishes from a menu rather than a set meal.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is arakaruto.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, アラカルト is often used metaphorically in business to describe a 'pick-and-mix' style of service or a customizable plan where customers select only the options they need.
- If you use アラカルト when ordering at a high-end sushi restaurant, it might actually sound a bit strange, as these venues often function almost exclusively on a set menu system called おまかせ (omakase).
- Because アラカルト is a loanword, it is frequently used in Japanese marketing and advertising to make a restaurant sound more sophisticated or European.
Examples in context
- 単品でお願いしますI would like to order a la carte, please.
- 単品メニューにはこれがありますかIs this dish available on the a la carte menu?
- アラカルトで注文したいです。arakaruto de chuumon shitai desu.I want to order a la carte.
- アラカルトのメニューはありますか？arakaruto no menyuu wa arimasu ka?Do you have an a la carte menu?
- 今日はアラカルトで頼もう。kyou wa arakaruto de tanomou.Let's order a la carte today.
Example conversation
A young couple is deciding what to eat at a restaurant.
- 陽太 Yota定食にする？それともアラカルトにする？teishoku ni suru? soretomo arakaruto ni suru?Should we get a set meal? Or should we go a la carte?
- 結衣 Yui今日はアラカルトがいいな。kyou wa arakaruto ga ii na.I'd prefer a la carte today.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。じゃあ、アラカルトで頼もう。wakatta. jaa, arakaruto de tanomou.Okay. Then let's order a la carte.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、陽太さん。arigatou, Youta-san.Thank you, Youta.
