What does it mean word for word?
The phrase お水もらえますか is composed of o (honorific prefix), mizu (water), moraemasu (can receive) and ka (question particle). Adding the honorific prefix o to mizu makes the request sound more polite and refined when speaking to staff or strangers.
Which one should you use?
While お水もらえますか is a standard polite request, 水をいただけますか？ is a formal way to ask for water. For a slightly more direct but still polite request, often used in restaurants, you can say お水ください. In casual settings like with friends, you might use the informal 水をもらえる？ or the even more casual 水、もらっていい？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, use 水をいただけますか？ In restaurants, お水ください is a direct but polite option and お水をお願いできますか？ is also suitable. For informal situations with friends or family, use 水をもらえる？ or the casual 水、もらっていい？ You can make an informal request slightly more polite by adding お願いします to the end, as in 水をもらえる？お願いします.
How do you pronounce it?
o mizu moraemasu ka
Did you know?
- The word mizu (water) is part of several common Japanese idioms, such as 'mizu ni nagasu', which means 'to let bygones be bygones' or literally 'to let it flow into the water'.
- Depending on the region, you might be served お冷 (ohiya) instead of お水. While both mean water, お冷 specifically refers to cold water.
- In most Japanese restaurants, you do not even need to say お水もらえますか because a glass of water is typically served automatically as soon as you sit down.
Examples in context
- お水もらえますか？omizu moraemasuka?Can I get some water?
- 冷たいお水もらえますか？tsumetai omizu moraemasuka?Can I get some cold water?
Example conversation
A customer is asking a waiter for water at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、お水もらえますか？sumimasen, omizu moraemasuka?Excuse me, can I get some water?
- 蓮 Renはい、かしこまりました。hai, kashikomarimashita.Yes, certainly.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 蓮 Renどうぞ。douzo.Here you go.
