What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into English (eigo) + possessive particle (no) + menu (menyū) + topic particle (wa) + exist/have (arimasu) + question particle (ka).
Which one should you use?
The standard polite version is 英語のメニューはありますか？ You can make the phrase slightly more casual and conversational by dropping the topic particle wa, resulting in 英語のメニュー、ありますか？ For a very informal approach, you can say 英語のメニューあります？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default 英語のメニューはありますか？ is a polite and standard way to speak to staff in a restaurant. If you want to be more formal, you can say 申し訳ありませんが、英語のメニューをご用意いただけますか？ (I'm sorry to bother you, but could you prepare an English menu?). For a very informal situation, use 英語のメニューあります？
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb arimasu is used to indicate the existence of inanimate objects like menus. You should not use imasu, as that is reserved for living beings.
How do you pronounce it?
eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?
Did you know?
- In some high-end traditional restaurants, the menu is not a list but a kaiseki set, meaning there is no choice and no menu to ask for because the chef decides the meal.
- If a staff member cannot provide a menu, they might use a gesture of waving their hand in front of their face to indicate 'no' or 'not available'.
- If you are at a tachinomiya (standing bar), the menu might be a handwritten chalkboard where eigo translations are rare, even if the staff speaks English.
Examples in context
- すみません、英語のメニューはありますか？Excuse me, do you have an English menu?
- はい、あります。Yes, we have one.
- 英語のメニューはありますか？Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?Do you have an English menu?
- 英語のメニューはありますか？注文したいです。Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka? Chūmon shitai desu.Do you have an English menu? I want to order.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are arriving at a restaurant in Tokyo.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、英語のメニューはありますか？Sumimasen, eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?Excuse me, do you have an English menu?
- 蓮 Renはい、こちらになります。Hai, kochira ni narimasu.Yes, here it is.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。蓮さん、何にしますか？Arigatō gozaimasu. Ren-san, nani ni shimasu ka?Thank you. Ren, what will you have?
- 蓮 Ren僕はハンバーグにするよ。Boku wa hanbāgu ni suru yo.I'll go with the hamburger steak.
