袋をもらえますか？
fukuro o moraemasu ka?
In Japanese, "can I have a bag, please?" is said as 袋をもらえますか？ (fukuro o moraemasu ka?)
This phrase is a polite request used when asking a shop assistant for a bag to carry your purchases.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 袋 (bag), o (the object marker), moraemasu (can receive) and ka (the question marker).
Which one should you use?
While 袋をもらえますか？ asks if you can receive a bag, the phrase 袋をください is a more direct way to say "Please give me a bag."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard polite form is 袋をもらえますか？ You can make the request sound more casual and conversational by dropping the particle o, resulting in 袋、もらえますか？
How do you pronounce it?
fukuro o moraemasu ka?
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is common for customers to bring their own 'eco-bags' called エコバッグ, a loanword combining 'ecology' and 'bag'.
- The verb used in this request, もらう ('to receive'), is culturally significant. It frames the transaction as a favor being granted by the shop assistant rather than a simple commercial exchange.
- The term レジ袋 (reji-bukuro) is a 'portmanteau' that blends the English word 'register' with the Japanese word for 'bag'.
Examples in context
- 小さい袋をもらえますか？chiisai fukuro o moraemasu ka?Can I have a small bag?
Example conversation
At a convenience store checkout.
- 大翔 Hiroto袋をもらえますか？fukuro o moraemasu ka?Can I have a bag, please?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、もちろんです。hai, mochiron desu.Yes, of course.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 美咲 Misakiいえ、どういたしまして。ie, douitashimashite.No, you're welcome.
