What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of ビール (beer), the particle を (the object marker) and ください (please/give me).
Which one should you use?
The choice of phrase can change the nuance of your request. ビールをお願いします is a formal way to say "beer please". You can also be more specific by using ビールを一杯お願いします to mean "one glass of beer, please".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ビールをお願いします or ビールを一杯お願いします are formal. The phrase ビール、お願いします is a common, slightly more professional or polite way to order compared to ビールをください.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ビールをください, the particle を acts as an object marker, marking ビール as the specific thing being requested.
How do you pronounce it?
Bīru o kudasai
When do people say it?
To enhance the politeness of your request when calling for a server, you can start your sentence with すみません (excuse me), such as in すみません、ビールをお願いします or すみません、ビールをください.
Did you know?
- When cheering with a beer, the word 乾杯 (kanpai) is used, which literally translates to 'dry the glass' or 'empty the cup'.
- When ordering at a casual pub, you might hear the word とりあえず (toriaezu) used before an order. This means 'for now' and is a common way to say 'Let's start with a beer for now' while the group decides on food.
- If you are ordering for a group, it is a common custom for everyone to order the same first drink, usually ビール, to start the meal together.
Examples in context
- ビールをください。A beer, please.This sentence shows how to request a beer.Tatoeba #197657 by bunbuku, translation #34843 by CK
- もう一杯ビールをください。Another glass of beer, please.This sentence shows how to request another glass of beer.Tatoeba #194499 by small_snow, translation #4344695 by EmperorCharlesII
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are ordering drinks at an izakaya.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、ビールをください。sumimasen, biiru o kudasai.Excuse me, a beer please.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、かしこまりました。hai, kashikomarimashita.Yes, certainly.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんも飲みますか？Yota-san mo nomimasu ka?Would you like a drink too, Yota?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、僕もビールをください。un, boku mo biiru o kudasai.Yeah, a beer please for me too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
