What Japanese do you need for shopping and tax-free in Tokyo?

Expect to hear プレゼント用ですか? (purezento-yō desu ka, "Is it a gift?"). Useful things to say: これはいくらですか? (kore wa ikura desu ka, "How much is this?") and 見ているだけです。 (mite iru dake desu, "I'm just looking").

The whole conversation: Shopping and the drugstore

A drugstore and a clothes shop in Shibuya. Bring your passport: big shops can sell to tourists without the consumption tax.

  1. You say
    これはいくらですか? kore wa ikura desu ka How much is this?
  2. You say
    見ているだけです。 mite iru dake desu I'm just looking.
  3. You hear
    免税になります。 menzei ni narimasu This can be tax-free.

    You need your physical passport. The till will tell you if what you are buying qualifies.

  4. You say
    試着してもいいですか? shichaku shite mo ii desu ka Can I try it on?
  5. You say
    もっと小さいのはありますか? motto chiisai no wa arimasu ka Do you have a smaller one?
  6. You hear
    少々お待ちください。 shōshō o-machi kudasai One moment, please.
  7. You say
    これにします。 kore ni shimasu I'll take this one.
  8. You hear
    プレゼント用ですか? purezento-yō desu ka Is it a gift?

    Say yes and many shops will wrap it beautifully, often for free.

Is this what people really say here?

Questions about this scene

What Japanese do you need for shopping and tax-free in Tokyo?

Expect to hear プレゼント用ですか? (purezento-yō desu ka, "Is it a gift?"). Useful things to say: これはいくらですか? (kore wa ikura desu ka, "How much is this?") and 見ているだけです。 (mite iru dake desu, "I'm just looking").

What does "プレゼント用ですか?" mean in Japanese?

It means "Is it a gift?". It is pronounced purezento-yō desu ka.