A1 Expression 正式

おあいそお願いします

oaiso onegaishimasu

Check, please (polite)

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite, traditional way to ask for your bill, most commonly used in sushi restaurants and traditional Japanese eateries.

  • Means: 'The check, please' (literally asking for 'hospitality').
  • Used in: Traditional sushi shops, izakayas, and local neighborhood restaurants.
  • Don't confuse: Avoid using this in high-end Western restaurants or fast-food chains.
🍣 + 🧾 + 🙏 = 💳

Explanation at your level:

This is a simple phrase to ask for the bill in a restaurant. You use it when you finish eating. It is very polite. Just say 'O-aiso onegaishimasu' to the waiter. It is most common in sushi shops. It helps you pay and leave politely.
At this level, you should know that 'O-aiso onegaishimasu' is a specific way to ask for the check. While 'O-kaikei' works everywhere, 'O-aiso' is better for traditional places like sushi bars. It comes from the word for 'hospitality.' It's a set phrase, so you don't need to change the grammar.
Intermediate learners should recognize the nuance between 'O-aiso' and 'O-kaikei.' 'O-aiso' is technically shop-side jargon (uchiba-kotoba) that became popular among customers. Using it shows you understand Japanese dining culture. It's particularly useful in 'shitamachi' areas of Tokyo or traditional izakayas where a more personal connection with the staff is expected.
At the B2 level, you should understand the sociolinguistic implications of using 'O-aiso.' While widely accepted, some purists consider it 'incorrect' for a customer to use because 'aiso' (hospitality) is something the shop provides, not the customer. However, in modern usage, it functions as a 'social lubricant' that signals the speaker's familiarity with traditional dining etiquette and their status as an experienced diner.
Advanced analysis reveals 'O-aiso' as a remnant of Edo-period merchant-class language. The phrase embodies the concept of 'enryo' (restraint) and 'keigo' (honorifics) in a commercial setting. The transition of this term from a humble apology by the seller ('I have no hospitality to offer, so here is the bill') to a standard customer request is a prime example of linguistic 'semantic shift' driven by social mimicry.
Mastery involves navigating the delicate balance of 'iki' (chic/sophisticated) usage. A C2 speaker knows that while 'O-aiso' is a hallmark of the 'edokko' style, its over-application in inappropriate registers (like a corporate banquet or a French bistro) would be a 'kyou-zame' (mood-spoiler). One must also be aware of the regional variations and the historical debate regarding 'customer-side jargon' versus 'shop-side jargon' in the broader context of Japanese honorific systems.

意思

A polite way to ask for the bill at a restaurant or shop.

🌍

文化背景

In Japan, it is common to pay at the register near the exit rather than at the table, unless it is a high-end or traditional restaurant. 'O-aiso' is often used when you want the bill brought to your seat. The phrase is strongly associated with 'Edokko' (native Tokyoite) culture. It reflects a brisk, no-nonsense but polite way of handling money in the old merchant districts. Using 'O-aiso' at a sushi bar is a sign that you are a 'tsuu' (connoisseur). However, never use it to mean 'the food was bad'—it is always a polite request. Younger Japanese people are increasingly using 'Check' or 'O-kaikei' even in traditional shops, as 'O-aiso' can feel a bit 'old man-ish' (oyaji-kusai) to some.

🎯

The 'X' Sign

If the restaurant is too loud to shout, make an 'X' with your index fingers. It's the universal Japanese sign for 'O-aiso'.

💬

The Regular's Vibe

Using 'O-aiso' makes you sound like a regular. If you want to blend in at a local spot, this is your go-to phrase.

意思

A polite way to ask for the bill at a restaurant or shop.

🎯

The 'X' Sign

If the restaurant is too loud to shout, make an 'X' with your index fingers. It's the universal Japanese sign for 'O-aiso'.

💬

The Regular's Vibe

Using 'O-aiso' makes you sound like a regular. If you want to blend in at a local spot, this is your go-to phrase.

⚠️

Not for Friends

Never use this when a friend treats you to dinner. It's only for commercial transactions with a shop.

自我测试

Which phrase is most appropriate at a traditional sushi counter?

You just finished your omakase course. What do you say?

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： お愛想お願いします

'O-aiso onegaishimasu' is the classic, polite way to ask for the bill in a sushi shop.

Complete the phrase to ask for the bill politely.

お____お願いします。

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 愛想

The full phrase is 'O-aiso onegaishimasu'.

Match the phrase to the correct restaurant type.

Where should you use 'O-aiso onegaishimasu'?

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： Traditional Sushi Shop

It is best suited for traditional Japanese environments.

Fill in the customer's line.

Staff: お食事は以上でよろしいですか？ (Is that all for your meal?) Customer: はい。________________。

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： お愛想お願いします

The customer is confirming they are finished and asking for the bill.

🎉 得分： /4

视觉学习工具

Where to use O-aiso vs O-kaikei

🍣

Use O-aiso

  • • Sushi Shops
  • • Izakayas
  • • Traditional Inns
  • • Local Bars
🏢

Use O-kaikei

  • • Department Stores
  • • Modern Cafes
  • • Family Restaurants
  • • Hotels

常见问题

5 个问题

No, it is polite. However, some purists think customers shouldn't use shop jargon. For 99% of situations, it's perfectly fine.

Usually, ramen shops use vending machines or you pay at the counter. If it's a sit-down ramen shop, 'O-kaikei' is more common, but 'O-aiso' is understood.

Say 'Betsu-betsu de, o-aiso onegaishimasu.'

Yes, absolutely. It has a slightly 'masculine' history, but today it is gender-neutral and polite for everyone.

You can! 'Check onegaishimasu' is very common. 'O-aiso' just sounds more traditional and 'Japanese'.

相关表达

🔄

お{会計|かいけい}お{願|ねが}いします

synonym

The standard way to ask for the bill.

🔗

お{勘定|かんじょう}お{願|ねが}いします

similar

A slightly more formal way to ask for the bill.

🔗

ごちそうさまでした

builds on

Thank you for the meal.

🔗

チェックお{願|ねが}いします

similar

Check, please.

在哪里用

🍣

At a high-end sushi counter

Customer: すみません、お{愛想|あいそ}お{願|ねが}いします。

Chef: はい、ありがとうございます。{一万二千円|いちまんいせんえん}になります。

formal
🍺

At a noisy Izakaya with friends

Friend A: もう{終電|しゅうでん}だよ！

Friend B: 店員さん！お{愛想|あいそ}お{願|ねが}いします！

neutral
🍱

A business lunch at a traditional restaurant

Salaryman: そろそろ{戻|もど}りましょうか。お{愛想|あいそ}お{願|ねが}いします。

Waitress: かしこまりました。お{席|せき}で{承|うけたまわ}ります。

formal
☕

Trying to pay at a modern cafe (Wrong context)

Learner: お{愛想|あいそ}お{願|ねが}いします。

Staff: （えっ、お{会計|かいけい}ですか？）レジへどうぞ。

informal
🙅‍♂️

Using the 'X' gesture in a loud shop

Customer: (Makes X sign with fingers and mouths 'O-aiso')

Staff: (Nods and brings the bill)

neutral
🥃

A regular at a small neighborhood bar

Regular: マスター、お{愛想|あいそ}！

Master: はいよ！いつもありがとうね。

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'I-SO' (Aiso) as 'I SO want to pay my bill now!'

Visual Association

Imagine a sushi chef smiling (showing hospitality/aiso) as he hands you a small, polite wooden tray for your money.

Rhyme

At the sushi show, ask for O-aiso!

Story

You are at a traditional sushi bar in Tokyo. You've eaten 10 pieces of fatty tuna. You feel so much 'love' (Ai) and 'thought' (So) from the chef's service that you ask for the 'Aiso' (hospitality) bill to show your respect before leaving.

Word Web

お会計 (O-kaikei)お勘定 (O-kanjo)愛想がいい (Aiso ga ii)愛想笑い (Aiso-warai)無愛想 (Bu-aiso)お願いします (Onegaishimasu)ごちそうさま (Gochisousama)

挑战

Next time you are at a Japanese restaurant (even outside Japan), try saying 'O-aiso onegaishimasu' to the staff when you finish. See if they recognize the traditional nuance!

In Other Languages

Spanish high

La cuenta, por favor

Japanese has multiple versions based on the type of restaurant.

French high

L'addition, s'il vous plaît

French doesn't use the concept of 'hospitality' to refer to the bill.

German high

Die Rechnung, bitte

German lacks the 'humble reversal' origin story.

Chinese moderate

买单 (Mǎidān)

Mǎidān is much more casual than 'O-aiso onegaishimasu'.

Korean high

계산해 주세요 (Gyesanhae juseyo)

Korean doesn't have a specific 'traditional shop' version like 'O-aiso'.

Arabic high

الحساب لو سمحت (Al-hisab law samaht)

Arabic culture often involves more negotiation or 'fighting' to pay, which isn't reflected in the phrase.

Portuguese high

A conta, por favor

No distinction between modern and traditional shop jargon.

English high

Check, please

English is less concerned with the 'origin' of the word (jargon vs. standard).

Easily Confused

おあいそお願いします 对比 愛想を尽かす (Aiso o tsukasu)

Both use 'aiso', but this means to lose patience with someone.

If you add 'onegaishimasu', it's always the bill. If you use 'tsukasu', it's an emotion.

おあいそお願いします 对比 お挨拶 (O-aisatsu)

Sounds similar to 'O-aiso'.

'Aisatsu' means 'greeting'. You don't ask for a greeting when you want to pay!

常见问题 (5)

No, it is polite. However, some purists think customers shouldn't use shop jargon. For 99% of situations, it's perfectly fine.

Usually, ramen shops use vending machines or you pay at the counter. If it's a sit-down ramen shop, 'O-kaikei' is more common, but 'O-aiso' is understood.

Say 'Betsu-betsu de, o-aiso onegaishimasu.'

Yes, absolutely. It has a slightly 'masculine' history, but today it is gender-neutral and polite for everyone.

You can! 'Check onegaishimasu' is very common. 'O-aiso' just sounds more traditional and 'Japanese'.

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