Formal — to staff
Izakaya · Dining
すみません、お通しは辞退できますか？ — Excuse me, can I decline the otōshi (appetizer/cover charge)? (Izakaya · Dining, Formal — to staff, JLPT N3)
You
すみません、お通しは辞退できますか？
すみません、おとおしはじたいできますか？
Excuse me, can I decline the otōshi (appetizer/cover charge)?
Romaji: Sumimasen, otōshi wa jitai dekimasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Mōshiwake gozaimasen. Tōten de wa otōshi o okotowari dekimasen.
Reply
申し訳ございません。当店ではお通しをお断りできません。
もうしわけございません。とうてんではおとおしをおことわりできません。
We apologize. At our restaurant, the otōshi cannot be declined.
Gesture & etiquette
Slight bow, polite hand gesture.
Otōshi is often mandatory and serves as a seating/cover charge. Declining it might not be possible and could be seen as rude in some establishments. It's best to ask politely.
#izakaya#otooshi#cover charge#appetizer#decline#dining#restaurant