持ち帰り用の箱
mochikaeriyō no hako
The English phrase "to go box" is translated into Japanese as 持ち帰り用の箱 (mochikaeriyō no hako).
The phrase 持ち帰り用の箱 is used to describe the physical container itself, rather than the act of taking food to go.
Which one should you use?
A more modern and common way to refer to a takeout container is using the loanword 'teikuauto' (takeout) and 'yōki' (container) as テイクアウト用の容器 (teikuauto-yō no yōki).
How do you pronounce it?
mochikaeriyō no hako
Did you know?
- While 持ち帰り用の箱 exists, asking for one at a restaurant is rare because Japan traditionally avoids the custom of taking leftovers home for food safety and waste reasons.
- The phrase 持ち帰り is also used as a slang term in adult contexts to refer to taking a date home.
- In high-end sushi restaurants, you might be given a specialized 重箱 (jūbako), which is a traditional tiered lacquer box, instead of a disposable container.
Examples in context
- お持ち帰り用容器をお願いできますか？Can I have a "to go box," please?
- 持ち帰り用の容器をもらえる？Can I get a "to go box"?
- 持ち帰り用の箱をください。mochikaeri-yo no hako o kudasai.Please give me a to-go box.
- 持ち帰り用の箱はありますか？mochikaeri-yo no hako wa arimasu ka?Do you have to-go boxes?
- 持ち帰り用の箱に入れてください。mochikaeri-yo no hako ni irete kudasai.Please put it in a to-go box.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a customer asks for a container for leftovers.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、料理が余りましたね。Yota-san, ryori ga amarimashita ne.Yota, there is leftover food.
- 陽太 Yota持ち帰り用の箱をもらえますか？Mochikaeri-yo no hako o moraemasu ka?Can I get a to-go box?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、店員さんに聞いてみます。Hai, ten'in-san ni kiite mimasu.Yes, I will ask the staff.
- 陽太 Yota助かります、ありがとう。Tasukarimasu, arigatou.That helps, thank you.
