フォークをいただけますか？
fōku o itadakemasu ka?
In Japanese, "can I have a fork" is expressed as フォークをいただけますか？ (fōku o itadakemasu ka?)
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for a fork, typically in a restaurant or dining setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "Can I receive a fork?", where itadakemasu is the potential form of the humble verb itadaku (to receive).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
フォークをいただけますか？ is a polite way to make a request, making it suitable for use with restaurant staff or strangers. Another formal way to say "May I have a fork?" is Fōku o moraemasu ka?
How do you pronounce it?
fōku o itadakemasu ka?
Did you know?
- Japanese has distinct categories of politeness, and the verb いただく belongs to 謙譲語 'kenjōgo', a specific type of humble speech used to lower one's own status relative to others.
- If you were to write フォーク in the rounded hiragana script instead of the angular katakana, a native speaker might assume the writer is a young child.
- While a fork is requested here, many Japanese eateries provide 割り箸 'split chopsticks' that must be snapped apart by hand before use.
Examples in context
- フォークをいただけますか？fōku o itadakemasu ka?Can I have a fork?
- サラダ用にと、フォークをいただけますか？sarada-yō ni to, fōku o itadakemasu ka?Can I have a fork for the salad?
Example conversation
Misaki is dining at a cafe and notices she lacks cutlery.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、フォークをいただけますか？sumimasen, fōku o itadakemasu ka?Excuse me, can I have a fork?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、少々お待ちください。hai, shōshō omachi kudasai.Yes, please wait a moment.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 陽太 Yotaこちらになります。kochira ni narimasu.Here you go.
