We all know that you would never learn the real language from textbooks. So WAMONO would like to offer a real Japanese lesson for people who need to know some useful phrases to survive the Japanese socializing. With this first lesson, we will learn "Toriaezu", a useful word for many situations in a izakaya(＝Japanese pub). Get advantage with the 'Japanisish' talk!
教科書に載らないリアルな日本語、外国人が言うとちょっとカワイイ一言など、英語圏人の友達に教えてあげたい、使える、ウケる、日本滞在を楽しくするフレーズ集。第一回は居酒屋で間違いなしのこのフレーズを学びます。最初は、とりあえずこれで。
When you pop in a izakaya at the end of a busy day, you may be too tired to choose a drink. Or simply you'd like to focus on the conversation with the friends rather than check thorough the whole menu. Here, you can say 'toriaezu nama!' (*1) to the staff. This magic word makes the staff to bring a glass of beer for you and also give more time to order some foods or another drink.
*1 'toriaezu' is literally translated into 'tentatively'.
'nama' = nama-biiru (chilled beer served in the glass)
時は夕方、場所は居酒屋。 “今日も忙しかったし、っていうかもう先週からバタバタでさー、最近どう？”という流れを壊さないためにも、席についたら、「とりあえず生！」。この魔法の言葉で、ただちに本日最初の一杯と、２、３品決めるのにぴったりの時間がもたらされます。
When all of your friends get a drink, let's start with 'toriaezu kanpai!' (*2) The staff comes to your table to take an order for food. At this time, order some starters; 'Let me have a look, an Edamame (boiled soybeans), a potato salad.... and some Yakitori (grilled chicken) please." And you can add 'toriaezu' .(*3) It would suggest that you would order more foods later on.
*2 'toriaezu' = let's just say that... / 'kanpai' = Cheers
*3 'toriaezu' = that's all for now
人数ぶんのビールが来たら、「とりあえず乾杯！」。持ってきてくれたおばちゃんに、「ちょっと待ってね、枝豆と、ポテサラと、あと焼鳥適当に」。そこに「とりあえず」ってつけとけば、「これで終わりじゃありません。おいおい頼みますのでよろしく」というニュアンスが伝わって、スタッフも時々回ってきてくれます。
Therefore you don't need to choose all the foods including the main at the first time, but take your time to think with the beer and some starters. As long as you say 'toriaezu' with the order, the staff will leave the menu with you and happy to come back to your table. This is a key ward to enjoy izakaya in your own pace.
そう、居酒屋というものは、飲みながら、食べながら、お腹ぐあいやその場のノリで、ちょっとずつ追加して楽しむ場所。レストランのように、最初にコースを組み立てる必要はありません。枝豆かなんかつまみつつビールを飲んでメニューを眺め、自分のペースで、ごゆっくりどうぞ。
