Japanese in 20 seconds
“お通しです” — the izakaya dish you didn't order (and what to say)
At a Japanese izakaya the staff bring a small dish and say “お通しです”. It's on the bill, usually a few hundred yen — a table charge with a snack. Just say “あ、ありがとうございます”.
The staff says
お通しです。
Here's your small starter.
You say
あ、ありがとうございます。
Oh, thank you.
What it means
- Yes, it's on the bill
- = table charge
- + a snack!
Yes, you pay for it. It's on the bill, usually a few hundred yen. Think of it as a table charge, with a snack.
What's「あ、」?
That little "ah!" at the start? It's just like saying "oh!", and it makes you sound more natural. But it's optional. Without it, everyone will still understand you perfectly.
Say it slowly
あ、ありがとうございます
a · a · ri · ga · to · u · go · za · i · ma · su
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