Lesson 3: アレルギーがあるので、食べられません – I Can't Eat It Because of an Allergy
Ordering food and drinks at restaurants
This lesson focuses on restaurant interactions, ordering food and drinks, understanding menus, and making special requests. You'll learn how to ask about menu items, place orders, make dietary requests, and handle payments in restaurant settings.
Key topics:
- ・Ordering food and drinks
- ・Understanding restaurant menus
- ・Making special requests and dietary restrictions
- ・Asking for recommendations
- ・Handling payments and bills
- ・Restaurant etiquette and expressions
Vocabulary
1
きまる
kimaru
決まる
to make a decision
Example
ご注文、お決まりですか？
Go-chūmon, okimari desu ka?
Have you decided on your order?
2
ちゅうもんする
chūmon suru
注文する
to order
Example
じゃあ、先に飲み物、注文しましょう.
Jā, saki ni nomimono, chūmon shimashō.
Then, let's order drinks first.
3
つく
tsuku
付く
to come with / included
Example
定食にはごはんとはみそ汁が付きます.
Teishoku ni wa gohan to wa misoshiru ga tsukimasu.
The set meal comes with rice and miso soup.
4
じゆう
jiyū
自由
free (refill)
Example
コーヒーは自由です.
Kōhī wa jiyū desu.
Coffee is free refill.
5
にんきがある
ninki ga aru
人気がある
popular
Example
人気があるのは、お刺身定食です.
Ninki ga aru no wa, osashimi teishoku desu.
The popular one is the sashimi set meal.
6
ふつう
futsū
普通
regular
Example
普通で大丈夫です.
Futsū de daijōbu desu.
Normal is fine.
7
すくなめ
sukuname
少なめ
smaller amount
Example
塩は少なめで.
Shio wa sukuname de.
Less salt, please.
8
だめ(な)
dame (na)
-
not allowed / no good
Example
肉とか魚はだめなんです.
Niku toka sakana wa dame nan desu.
Meat and fish are not allowed.
9
おすすめ
osusume
-
recommendation / specialty
Example
おすすめは何ですか？
O-susume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
10
ごちゅうもん
gochūmon
ご注文
order
Example
ご注文、お決まりですか？
Go-chūmon, okimari desu ka?
Have you decided on your order?
11
ていしょく
teishoku
定食
set meal
Example
お刺身定食です.
Osashimi teishoku desu.
The sashimi set meal.
12
ねぎ
negi
葱
green onion
Example
ラーメンに葱を入れて.
Rāmen ni negi o irete.
Add green onion to the ramen.
13
ひがわり
higawari
日替わり
daily special
Example
今日の日替わりは何ですか.
Kyō no higawari wa nan desu ka.
What is today's special?
14
ミックスフライ
mikkusu furai
-
assorted fried food
Example
ミックスフライ定食がおすすめです.
Mikkusu furai teishoku ga osusume desu.
The mixed fry set meal is recommended.
15
みりん
mirin
味醂
mirin
Example
料理に味醂を使います.
Ryōri ni mirin o tsukaimasu.
I use mirin in cooking.
16
わさび
wasabi
-
wasabi
Example
わさび抜きでお願いします.
Wasabi-nuki de onegai shimasu.
Without wasabi, please.
17
おのみもの
onomimono
お飲み物
drink / beverage
Example
食後のお飲み物 150円
Shokugo no onomimono 150 en
After-meal drink 150 yen
18
おおもり
ōmori
大盛り
large serving
Example
ご飯大盛りにできますか？
Gohan ōmori ni dekimasu ka?
Can I get a large portion of rice?
19
おかわり
okawari
-
refill
Example
ご飯おかわりできますか.
Gohan okawari dekimasu ka.
Can I get more rice?
20
りょう
ryō
量
amount
Example
ご飯の量は、どうなさいますか？
Gohan no ryō wa, dō nasaimasu ka?
How would you like the amount of rice?
21
かいけい
kaikei
会計
bill
Example
お会計、お願いします.
O-kaikei, onegai shimasu.
Check, please.
22
ほんけん
honken
本券
this coupon
Example
本券のみの使用はできません.
Honken nomi no shiyō wa dekimasen.
This coupon cannot be used only by itself.
23
はんがく
hangaku
半額
half price
Example
はんがくです.
Hangaku desu.
It's half price.
24
ゆうこうきげん
yūkō kigen
有効期限
expiration date
Example
有効期限を見て下さい.
Yūkō kigen o mite kudasai.
Please check the expiry date.
25
レジ
reji
-
cash register
Example
お金はレジで払います.
O-kane wa reji de haraimasu.
I'll pay at the register.
26
かいけいじ
kaikeiji
会計時
at the time of payment / when paying
Example
会計時にお見せください.
Kaikeiji ni omise kudasai.
Please show it at the time of payment.
27
ごいんしょくだい
goinshokudai
ご飲食代
food and drink charges
Example
ご飲食代10%OFF
Goinshokudai 10% OFF
10% off food and drink charges
28
へいじつのみ
heijitsu nomi
平日のみ
weekdays only
Example
みそ汁 おかわり自由 (平日のみ)
Misoshiru okawari jiyū (heijitsu nomi)
Miso soup refill is free (weekdays only)
29
おじかん
ojikan
お時間
time
Example
お時間は？
O-jikan wa?
What time?
30
おひにち
ohinichi
お日にち
date
Example
お日にちは、お決まりですか？
O-hinichi wa, okimari desu ka?
Have you decided on the date?
31
じかい
jikai
次回
next time
Example
次回、お使いください.
Jikai, otsukai kudasai.
Please use it next time.
32
じかんたい
jikantai
時間帯
during a period of time
Example
このクーポンは朝食時間帯はご利用できません.
Kono kupon wa chōshoku jikantai wa go riyō dekimasen.
This coupon is not valid during breakfast hours
33
しょくご
shokugo
食後
after the meal
Example
食後にコーヒーを.
Shokugo ni kōhī o.
Coffee after the meal.
34
ちゅうもんじ
chūmonji
注文時
when ordering
Example
こちらのクーポンをご注文時にご提示ください.
Kochira no kūpon o go chūmon-ji ni go teiji kudasai.
Please present this coupon when ordering.
35
ひにち
hinichi
日にち
date
Example
日にちを決めて下さい.
Hinichi o kimete kudasai.
Please decide the date.
36
へいじつ
heijitsu
平日
weekday
Example
平日は休んでいます.
Heijitsu wa yasunde imasu.
Closed on weekdays.
37
ていじ
teiji
提示
show / present
Example
こちらのクーポンをご注文時にご提示ください.
Kochira no kūpon o go chūmon-ji ni go teiji kudasai.
Please present this coupon when ordering.
38
おきゃくさま
okyakusama
お客様
Ma'am / Sir (addressed as a customer)
Example
お客様、何名様ですか？
Okyakusama, nan-meisama desu ka?
How many people are you?
39
にんずう
ninzu
人数
number of people
Example
人数は四人です.
Ninzu wa yonin desu.
There are four people.
40
__ めい
mei
名
__ people / __ person(s)
Example
2名様ですね.
Ni-meisama desu ne.
Two people, right?
41
__ めいさま
meisama
名様
for __ person(s)
Example
2名様ですね.
Ni-meisama desu ne.
Two people, right?
42
__ さま
sama
様
Mr. __ / Ms. __
Example
ナット様ですね.
Natto-sama desu ne.
Mr./Ms. Nat, right?
43
おでんわ
odenwa
お電話
call
Example
お電話ありがとうございます.
O-denwa arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you for calling.
44
でんわばんごう
denwa bangō
電話番号
phone number
Example
お名前とお電話番号をお願いします.
O-namae to o-denwa bangō o onegai shimasu.
Your name and phone number, please.
45
れんらくさき
renrakusaki
連絡先
contact information
Example
連絡先を書いて下さい.
Renrakusaki o kaite kudasai.
Please write your contact info.
46
カウンター
kauntā
-
counter
Example
カウンターの席です.
Kauntā no seki desu.
It's a counter seat.
47
ざしき
zashiki
座敷
zashiki / tatami seating
Example
テーブルと座敷がございますが…….
Tēburu to zashiki ga gozaimasu ga...
We have tables and tatami seating...
48
とうてん
tōten
当店
our restaurant
Example
当店、全面禁煙ですが
Tōten, zenmen kin'en desu ga
Our restaurant is entirely non-smoking, but
49
いっしょに
issho ni
-
together
Example
いっしょに行きましょう.
Issho ni ikimashō.
Let's go together.
50
ごいっしょ
goissho
-
together
Example
ごいっしょでよろしいですか？
Goissho de yoroshii desu ka?
Will you be paying together?
51
べつべつ
betsubetsu
別々
separately
Example
別々でお願いします.
Betsubetsu de onegai shimasu.
Separately, please.
52
さきに
saki ni
先に
first
Example
じゃあ、先に飲み物、注文しましょう.
Jā, saki ni nomimono, chūmon shimashō.
Then, let's order drinks first.
53
もちかえり
mochikaeri
持ち帰り
takeout
Example
コーヒーは持ち帰りです.
Kōhī wa mochikaeri desu.
The coffee is for takeout.
54
きんえん
kin'en
禁煙
No smoking
Example
当店、全面禁煙ですが、よろしいですか？
Tōten, zenmen kin'en desu ga, yoroshii desu ka?
Our restaurant is entirely non-smoking. Is that okay?
55
__ ぬき
nuki
抜き
no __
Example
わさび抜きでお願いします.
Wasabi-nuki de onegai shimasu.
Without wasabi, please.
56
__ のみ
nomi
-
__ only
Example
夜のみ始めます.
Yoru nomi hajimemasu.
Starts evenings only.
57
ぜんめん
zenmen
全面
entirely
Example
当店、全面禁煙ですが
Tōten, zenmen kin'en desu ga
Our restaurant is entirely non-smoking, but
58
しゅうきょうじょうのりゆう
shūkyōjō no riyū
宗教上の理由
religious reasons
Example
宗教上の理由で食べられないので
Shūkyōjō no riyū de taberarenai node
Because I can't eat it for religious reasons
59
アレルギー
arerugī
-
allergy
Example
アレルギーがあるので、食べられないんです.
Arerugī ga aru node, taberarenai n desu.
I have an allergy, so I can't eat it.
60
ほかの
hoka no
他の
other
Example
他の料理は大丈夫ですか？
Hoka no ryōri wa daijōbu desu ka?
Are other dishes okay?
61
まちがい
machigai
間違い
mistake
Example
お間違いないでしょうか？
O-machigai nai deshō ka?
Is that right?
62
ごよやく
goyoyaku
ご予約
reservation
Example
ご予約ですね.
Go-yoyaku desu ne.
A reservation, right?
Conversation
1
いかがですか？
ikaga desu ka?
Would you like? / How about?
Example Usage
フライなどはいかがですか？
Furai nado wa ikaga desu ka?
How about fried food?
2
おきまりですか？
okimari desu ka?
Have you decided? / Are you ready?
Example Usage
ご注文、お決まりですか？
Go-chūmon, okimari desu ka?
Have you decided on your order?
3
どうなさいますか？
dō nasaimasu ka?
How much/How would you prefer?
Example Usage
ご飯の量は、どうなさいますか？
Gohan no ryō wa, dō nasaimasu ka?
How would you like the amount of rice?
4
いじょうでよろしいですか？
ijō de yoroshii desu ka?
Is that all?
Example Usage
はい、以上です.
Hai, ijō desu.
Yes, that's all.
5
おまちがいないでしょうか？
omachigai nai deshō ka?
Is that right?
Example Usage
はい、まちがいありません.
Hai, machigai arimasen.
Yes, that's correct.
6
よろしいですか？
yoroshii desu ka?
Is that right?
Example Usage
当店、全面禁煙ですが、よろしいですか？
Tōten, zenmen kin'en desu ga, yoroshii desu ka?
Our restaurant is entirely non-smoking. Is that okay?
7
__ がございます
ga gozaimasu
We have __.
Example Usage
テーブルと座敷がございますが…….
Tēburu to zashiki ga gozaimasu ga...
We have tables and tatami seating...
8
おつかい下さい
otsukai kudasai
Please use
Example Usage
次回、お使いください.
Jikai, otsukai kudasai.
Please use it next time.
9
それにします
sore ni shimasu
I'll have that.
Example Usage
かしこまりました.少々(しょし)お待ちください.
Kashikomarimashita. Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Certainly. Please wait a moment.
10
かしこまりました
kashikomarimashita
Certainly.
Example Usage
ありがとうございます.
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you.
11
しつれいしました
shitsurei shimashita
Sorry about that.
Example Usage
いいえ、大丈夫です.
Iie, daijōbu desu.
No, it's fine.
Kanji
1
会計
accounting, bill, checkout
会🎬
meeting, association
計🎬
measure, count
Example
お会計、お願いします.
O-kaikei, onegai shimasu.
Check, please.
2
ご予約
reservation, appointment
予🎬
beforehand, advance
約🎬
promise, contract
Example
ご予約ですね.
Go-yoyaku desu ne.
A reservation, right?
3
生
raw, fresh, live
生🎬
life, raw
Example
このさしみは生です.
Kono sashimi wa nama desu.
This sashimi is raw.
4
電話番号
telephone number
電🎬
electricity
話🎬
talk, speak
番🎬
number, turn
号🎬
number, mark
Example
お名前とお電話番号をお願いします.
O-namae to o-denwa bangō o onegai shimasu.
Your name and phone number, please.
5
牛乳
milk
牛🎬
cow
乳🎬
milk, breast
Example
牛乳をのみます.
Gyuunyuu o nomimasu.
I drink milk.
6
自由
freedom, liberty
自🎬
self
由🎬
reason, cause
Example
コーヒーは自由です.
Kōhī wa jiyū desu.
Coffee is free refill.
7
注文
order, request
注🎬
pour, focus
文🎬
sentence, text
Example
じゃあ、先に飲み物、注文しましょう.
Jā, saki ni nomimono, chūmon shimashō.
Then, let's order drinks first.
8
様
Mr., Mrs., Ms. (honorific suffix)
様🎬
honorific, appearance
Example
ナット様ですね.
Natto-sama desu ne.
Mr./Ms. Nat, right?
9
ご飯
rice, meal
ご
honorific prefix
飯🎬
rice, meal
Example
10
禁煙
no smoking, smoking prohibited
禁🎬
prohibition
煙🎬
smoke
Example
当店、全面禁煙ですが、よろしいですか？
Tōten, zenmen kin'en desu ga, yoroshii desu ka?
Our restaurant is entirely non-smoking. Is that okay?
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Giving a reason politely
Structure: S1 + ので、S2
This expression is for giving a reason. It is used here to give the reason why the person can't eat or drink and decline an offer. Another expression for giving a reason is から. You can also say 自転車で来たから、飲めないんです, but ので is more polite and softer when giving a personal reason.
How to use: ので connects to both the polite-form and plain-form. The form becomes Nな / ナA-な ので、～ for nouns and ナ-adjectives. Examples: ある→あるので, 来る→来たので, 安い→安いので, ベジタリアン→ベジタリアンなので. The question form depends on the main clause. In casual speech, ので can become んで.
💡 Pro Tip: ので is softer and more polite than から. から is more direct. Use ので when giving a personal reason or when you want to sound polite. Do not use ので with commands or invitations; から is more natural there. Register: ので is neutral to polite; から is neutral to casual.
| Dictionary Form | Form |
|---|---|
| ある | あるので |
| 来る | 来たので |
| 安い | 安いので |
| ベジタリアン | ベジタリアンなので |
Examples
今日は自転車で来たので、飲めないんです.
Kyō wa jitensha de kita node, nomenai n desu.
→ I came by bicycle today, so I can't drink.
アレルギーがあるので、食べられないんです.
Arerugī ga aru node, taberarenai n desu.
→ I have allergies, so I can't eat it.
Rule 2: Confirming what you think with よね
Structure: S + よね
This expression is for confirming what one thinks with the other person. おすし、わさび、入ってますか？ is asking because the person doesn't know if the sushi contains wasabi, while わさび、入ってますよね. is confirming just in case, as the person thinks the sushi contains wasabi.
How to use: Add よね at the end of a sentence. It can follow polite or plain forms. よ asserts, ね seeks agreement. The question form is ～ますか？, which is a simple question. In casual speech, よね is common.
💡 Pro Tip: よね is used when you are fairly sure but want confirmation. ね alone is softer. よ alone asserts. Do not use よね when you have no idea; use か？. Register: よね is used in both polite and casual speech.
Examples
定食のご飯、おかわりできますよね.
Teishoku no gohan, okawari dekimasu yo ne.
→ I can get free refills of rice with the set meal, right?
この店は日曜日も開いていますよね.
Kono mise wa nichiyōbi mo aite imasu yo ne.
→ This shop is open on Sundays too, right?
Rule 3: Choosing an option with Nで
Structure: N + で + お願いします / だいじょうぶです / いいです
Nで is used to answer with your choice when asked what you like or which one you prefer. It is used here to tell the staff at a restaurant what the person wants for seating, menu, and so on.
How to use: Use N + で + お願いします, だいじょうぶです, or いいです. Nで. can also be used by itself. The question form is usually a choice question like ～と～と、どちらがいいですか？. In casual speech, Nで. is common.
💡 Pro Tip: で here marks the means or choice. Do not confuse with the location particle で. Register: Nでお願いします is polite; Nで. is casual.
Examples
普通でだいじょうぶです.
Futsū de daijōbu desu.
→ The regular serving is fine.
じゃあ、それで.
Jā, sore de.
→ Okay, I'll have that.
Rule 4: Saying what is [description] is N
Structure: ナA + な + の + は、N + です / イA + い + の + は、N + です / V-る + の + は、N + です
This expression is for giving N as new information to the other person. It is used here to answer when asked about popular dishes or specialties. The description of the condition for N comes before ～のは.
How to use: Use ナA-な, イA-い, or V-る before のは. Then Nです. The question form is 何がおいしいですか？ or 何が人気ですか？. In casual speech, のは can become の.
💡 Pro Tip: のは nominalizes the preceding clause. Do not confuse with のが, which is used with 好き, 上手, etc. Register: neutral.
Examples
この店でおいしいのは、親子丼ですよ.
Kono mise de oishii no wa, oyakodon desu yo.
→ This restaurant has delicious oyako-don (rice bowl with chicken and egg).
よくみんなが注文するのは、ミックスフライ定食です.
Yoku minna ga chūmon suru no wa, mikkusu furai teishoku desu.
→ People often order the set meal with assorted fried food.
Exercises
Question 1: 'Because I am a vegetarian, meat and fish are no good.'
ベジタリアン ______、肉とか魚はだめなんです.
Question 2: 'Because this restaurant is popular, it is always crowded.'
この店はゆうめい ______、いつもこんでいます.
Question 3: 'I cannot drink because I came by bicycle today.'
今日は自転車で来た ______、飲めないんです.
Question 4: Which is correct for 'I have an allergy, so I can't eat it.'
Question 5: 'This sushi has wasabi in it, doesn't it?'
おすし、わさび、入ってます ______.
Question 6: 'There's a test tomorrow, right?'
明日はテスト ______.
Question 7: Which is correct for 'I can get free refills of rice with the set meal, right?'
Question 8: Choose the correct particle to indicate choice: 'Table seating, please.'
テーブル ______ おねがいします.
Question 9: 'A regular portion is fine.'
ふつう ______ だいじょうぶです.
Question 10: Which is correct for 'Okay, I'll take that.' (casual)
Question 11: 'The popular one is the sashimi set meal.'
人気がある ______、おさしみていしょくです.
Question 12: Which is correct for 'Many people order the mixed fry set meal.'
Question 13: Choose the correct reading of 会計.
レストランで ______ をしました.
Question 14: Choose the correct reading of ご予約.
ホテルを ______ しました.
Question 15: Choose the correct reading of 生 in this sentence.
このさしみは ______ です.
Question 16: Choose the correct reading of 電話番号.
______ をおしえて下さい.
Question 17: Choose the correct reading of 牛乳.
あさごはんに ______ をのみます.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 自由.
このしごとは ______ なじかんです.
Question 19: Choose the correct reading of 注文.
コーヒーを ______ します.
Question 20: Choose the correct reading of 様.
ナット ______ ですね.
Question 21: Choose the correct reading of ご飯.
まいにち ______ をたべます.
Question 22: Choose the correct reading of 禁煙.
このレストランは ______ です.