Formal to Senior
Cultural · Dining
お先に頂戴いたします。三口でいただくと伺いましたが、よろしいでしょうか？ — Please allow me to drink first. I've heard it's customary to take three sips — is that correct? (Cultural · Dining, Formal to Senior, JLPT N3)
You
お先に頂戴いたします。三口でいただくと伺いましたが、よろしいでしょうか？
おさきにちょうだいいたします。みくちでいただくとうかがいましたが、よろしいでしょうか？
Please allow me to drink first. I've heard it's customary to take three sips — is that correct?
Romaji: Osaki ni choudai itashimasu. Mikuchi de itadaku to ukagaimashita ga, yoroshii deshou ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, sono toori desu. Saigo no hito kuchi de oto o tatete itadaite mo kekkou desu.
Reply
はい、その通りです。最後の一口で音を立てていただいても結構です。
はい、そのとおりです。さいごのひとくちでおとをたてていただいてもけっこうです。
Yes, that's correct. It's fine to make a sound on the last sip.
Gesture & etiquette
Sit in seiza. Bow to the host before lifting the bowl. Place bowl on left palm, right hand supports the side. Rotate the bowl clockwise twice. Drink in three sips, the last with a small intentional sound. Wipe the rim with thumb-and-index fingers, then set the bowl down rotated back so the front faces the host.
Drinking matcha in a tea ceremony follows specific etiquette: rotate the bowl twice clockwise (about 90 degrees each turn) so the front faces away from you, drink in three sips, then wipe the rim where you drank with thumb and index finger. The final sip traditionally makes a small slurping sound to indicate enjoyment and that you've finished. Asking for confirmation shows respectful learning rather than guessing.