Polite to Staff
Cultural · Dining
すみません、ご飯のおかわりをいただけますか？ — Excuse me, could I have a refill of rice? (Cultural · Dining, Polite to Staff, JLPT N5)
You
すみません、ご飯のおかわりをいただけますか？
すみません、ごはんのおかわりをいただけますか？
Excuse me, could I have a refill of rice?
Romaji: Sumimasen, gohan no okawari wo itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, tadaima!
Reply
はい、ただいま！
はい、ただいま！
Yes, right away!
Gesture & etiquette
Catch the eye of the staff; hold up your rice bowl slightly if needed to indicate what you're asking for; a brief, appreciative nod when the refill arrives is standard.
おかわり' (okawari = refill/seconds) is a normal and welcome request at Japanese restaurants, especially for rice — many traditional set-meal restaurants (定食屋) offer free rice refills; asking clearly and politely is never considered impolite or gluttonous.
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