ご飯をください
gohan o kudasai
The English phrase "rice, please" is translated into Japanese as ご飯をください (gohan o kudasai).
This phrase is a polite request used to ask for a serving of rice. Note that gohan refers to cooked rice or a meal, whereas kome refers specifically to uncooked, raw rice grains.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase ご飯をください, the particle を (o) acts as an object marker, marking gohan as the direct object of the verb.
Which one should you use?
While ご飯をください is a standard way to make the request, ご飯お願いします is a common and slightly more versatile alternative. For very informal situations, you may hear Gohan choudai.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the form ご飯をください, the particle を is required to connect the noun gohan to the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
gohan o kudasai
Did you know?
- Historically, rice was so valuable that it was used as a form of currency and for paying taxes, which is why the term gohan carries a weight of importance beyond just a side dish.
- Ordering rice in a restaurant often involves a specific etiquette where the server may ask if you want okawari, which means a second helping of the same dish.
- In traditional Japanese culture, the act of preparing gohan was historically linked to the deity of rice, and the word gohan is often used metaphorically to refer to one's livelihood or 'bread and butter'.
Examples in context
- ご飯をください。Gohan o kudasai.Rice, please.
- 温かいご飯をください。Atatakai gohan o kudasai.Warm rice, please.
Example conversation
At a small Japanese restaurant.
- 蓮 Renすみません、ご飯をください。Sumimasen, gohan o kudasai.Excuse me, rice, please.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、どうぞ。Hai, douzo.Here you go.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 美咲 Misakiゆっくり召し上がってください。Yukkuri meshiagatte kudasai.Please enjoy your meal.
