Page 87 - Easy Japanese - Learn to Speak Japanese Quickly! (TUTTLE)

specific number and classifier (san-bon “three bottles”, hito-tsu “one item”, etc.)
and the other is a general quantity expression (chotto “a little”, etc.). Within a
sentence they usually occur right before the predicate (verb, adjective, or
noun+desu). In Japanese, the amount follows the noun, e.g., “beer three bottles”
rather than “three bottles of beer” in English.
Bīru o san-bon kudasai. Three (bottles of) beer, please.

Mizu o chotto nommashita. I drank a little water.

A quantity expression is typically not followed by a particle, except wa “at least”

or mo “so much”.
Mainichi, bīru o ip-pon wa I drink at least one beer every
nomimasu. day.

Bīru o go-hai mo I drank all five beers.
nomimashita.

Suppose we want to say “One coffee and two colas, please.” Here is how
multiple items and numbers are listed in Japanese.

Kōhī o hito-tsu kudasai. One coffee, please.
Kōra o futa-tsu kudasai. Two colas, please.

Kōhī o hito-tsu to kōra o futa-tsu One coffee and two
kudasai. colas, please.

There is no limit on how many things can be listed. Of course, if the list is long,
you should slow down and make sure that the person you’re speaking to you is
following along.

CULTURAL NOTE Eating Out

Upon entering a restaurant, you will be greeted with Irasshaimase. Respond by
just nodding and wait to be seated. Many restaurants display replicas of their
dishes near their entrance and provide illustrated menus. If you are not sure what
to order, ask for recommendations (osusume). In many ramen shops and casual
restaurants, meal tickets are bought at a vending machine. If you want to avoid

certain ingredients at a restaurant or stores, ask X, haitte imasu ka. “Is X in it?”
Some restaurants have a tatami floor. Remove your shoes before stepping on
tatami and avoid stepping on the cushions. Wet towels or oshibori are provided
at most restaurants to clean your hands before eating. Napkins are not provided