What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built using honorific prefixes to show respect to the customer. It breaks down as: go (honorific) + 注文 (order) + は (topic marker) + お (honorific) + 決まり (decision) + です (is) + か (question marker).
Which one should you use?
The default form ご注文はお決まりですか？ is what a server would use. In contrast, the informal version 注文決まった？ (Decided on the order?) would only be used between friends or in very casual settings and is not appropriate for a server to use with a customer.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form ご注文はお決まりですか？ is highly polite and is the standard way for restaurant staff to address customers. For an even more formal way to ask, you can use ご注文はお決まりになりましたでしょうか？
How do you pronounce it?
gochūmon wa okimari desu ka?
When do people say it?
When a server asks if you are ready, a natural way to respond if you have decided is はい、お願いします (Yes, please). If you still need more time to look at the menu, you can say まだです (Not yet).
Did you know?
- In many Japanese restaurants, you will not hear this phrase because you order via a tablet or a touch-screen panel on the table.
- In high-end sushi restaurants, the chef may never ask this phrase because they provide an Omakase meal, where the chef decides the menu for you.
- The word 注文 (order) shares its characters with the concept of 'instruction' or 'command', reflecting a formal request for a specific action.
Examples in context
- ご注文はお決まりですか？Gochuumon wa okimari desu ka?Are you ready to order?
Example conversation
A server approaches a couple at a restaurant table.
- 美咲 Misakiいらっしゃいませ。ご注文はお決まりですか？Irasshaimase. Gochūmon wa okimari desu ka?Welcome. Are you ready to order?
- 蓮 Renはい。私はカレーにします。Hai. Watashi wa karē ni shimasu.Yes. I'll have the curry.
- 美咲 Misakiかしこまりました。美咲様はいかがですか？Kashikomarimashita. Misaki-sama wa ikaga desu ka?Certainly. How about you, Misaki?
- 蓮 Ren私はまだ迷っています。Watashi wa mada mayotte imasu.I'm still deciding.
