If you are pointing at an item you can see
- For things near you: これを [number + counter] ください。
- For things closer to the other person (like things behind the counter): それを [number + counter] ください。
- For things far from both you and the shop assistant (like when pointing at a picture high above): あれを [number + counter] ください。
For explanation of これ、それ、あれ, watch this video.
ください means “(please) give me.”
If you can say the name of the item you are buying
[item name]を [number+counter] ください。
ドーナツを みっつ ください。3 doughnuts, please.
100えん きってを よんまい ください。4 100-yen stamps, please.
ハムを 200 グラム ください。200 grams of ham, please.
このリボンを 3メートル ください。3 meters of this ribbon, please.
りんごと みかんを 三つずつ ください。Could I have 3 each of apples and mandarins?
If you are ordering multiple kinds of items.
[item name 1]を [number+counter] と [item name 2]を [number+counter] ください。(if more than 2 kinds, repeat the red part)
If you want to know the price:
いくらですか。How much is it?
xxxは いくらですか。 How much is xxx?
ぜんぶで いくらですか。 How much is it altogether?
ぜんぶ means all, whole, entire and by adding the particle で, it means “altogether” here.
三つずつ
Sometimes we want to purchase several each of a few different kinds of items. ~ずつ is a convenient expression for that.
ずつ implies the same number/amount is applied/chosen at the same time or repeatedly. So it can usually be translated using:
- [number] each
- [number] at a time
Examples
- りんごと みかんを 三つずつ ください。
Could I have 3 each of apples and mandarins? - ビールとワインを五本ずつ買いました。
I bought 5 bottles each of beer and wine. - Tシャツをこどもたちに二枚ずつあげました。
I have given children 2 T-shirts each. - 日本語と数学と歴史を一時間ずつ勉強します。
I study Japanese, Mathematics and History for 1 hour each. - みんな千円ずつ出しました。
Everyone put out 1000 yen each. - 毎日こうちゃとコーヒーを二杯ずつのみます。
I drink 2 cups each of tea and coffee every day. - リンゴを一つずつ切ります。
You cut apples one by one (=one at a time). - クラスのみんなが一人ずつありがとうと言いました。
Everyone in class said thank you one at a time. - 一人ずつシャワーを浴びます。
We have a shower one at a time.
Variation
- 文法の本を毎日すこしずつ読んでいます。
I’m reading a grammar book every day a little at a time.
Tips
- It’s rare but some people write it づつ. The pronunciation is the same, nonetheless.
- Usually a phrase to specify the number is added like an adverb in Japanese, so a phrase of “[number] + [counter] + ずつ” itself does not usually need any particle. Use appropriate particles for other parts of the sentence.
Vocab
あげる | verb | to give | 1 |
あびる | verb | to bathe, to shower | 1 |
いう | verb | to say | 5 |
きる | verb | to cut, to chop | 5 |
シャワー | noun | shower | |
だす | verb | to put out, to send | 1 |