Conversation practice at a convenience store -コンビニでの会話練習

🏪 Japanese Convenience Stores (Konbini)

🌟 What is a “Konbini”?

“Konbini” is the Japanese word for convenience store, derived from the English word itself. But unlike convenience stores in many countries, Japanese konbini are famous for their cleanliness, variety of products, high quality of service, and 24/7 operation.

There are thousands of them across the country—literally on almost every street corner in cities.

🏷️ Major Konbini Chains in Japan

1. 7-Eleven
2. FamilyMart
3. Lawson
4. Mini Stop
5. Daily Yamazaki

Each has a slightly different product focus or branding, but all offer similar core services.

🍱 What Can You Buy at a Konbini?

Japanese convenience stores offer much more than just snacks and drinks:

🥪 Food & Drinks

• Onigiri (rice balls)
• Bento (boxed meals)
• Sandwiches & salads
• Instant noodles
• Fried chicken, croquettes, oden
• Ice cream and desserts
• Coffee machines & bottled drinks

The food is fresh, safe, and tasty—you can even ask staff to heat it up for you.

🧻 Daily Necessities

• Toiletries (toothbrush, razors, etc.)
• Stationery (pens, envelopes)
• Umbrellas, batteries, socks

🗞️ Magazines and Books

• Manga, weekly magazines, newspapers

🎫 Tickets & Payments

• Buy concert or event tickets
• Pay utility bills
• ATM and copy/fax machines

🧾 Services Offered

1. ATM machines
   • Most konbini ATMs accept foreign cards (especially 7-Eleven).
2. Copy and Print Services
   • You can print documents or photos using USB or cloud storage.
3. Bill payment
   • Locals often pay electricity, gas, water, and phone bills at konbini.
4. Ticket purchases
   • You can buy tickets for concerts, theme parks, buses, etc.
5. Wi-Fi
   • Some stores offer free Wi-Fi (ask the staff or look for a sign).
6. Luggage delivery / Takkyubin
   • Ship your luggage to a hotel or airport using services like Yamato.

🕒 Opening Hour

• Most konbini are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
• Some rural locations may have limited hours, but it’s rare.

🧑‍💼 Customer Service

• Staff are usually very polite and efficient.
• Some English may be spoken, but even without it, things go smoothly thanks to visual menus and gestures.
• Items are packed carefully, and warm/cold items are usually separated.

🧠 Fun Fact

• You can even buy concert merchandise, anime goods, or anime-themed foods.
• Konbini-exclusive items are popular and seasonal.
• In some areas, you’ll find konbini with eat-in spaces or small seating areas.

💡 Tips for Visitors

• You don’t need to tip in Japan, even at konbini.
• Cash is still king, but IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) or some credit cards are accepted.
• Trash bins are usually outside the store (not inside), and separated for recycling.

1.店 (みせ) に入 (はい) る時 (とき) （When entering the store）

Store clerk :

• いらっしゃいませ Irasshaimase! (Welcome)

You :

You can just nod or say;

• おはようございます Ohayougozaimasu. (Good morning)
• こんにちは Konnichiwa. (Good afternoon.)
• こんばんは Konbanwa. (Good evening.)

2. 商品 (しょうひん) を探 (さが) すとき(When looking for products)

You :

• すみませんSumimasen, [商品 (しょうひん) ]はどこですか？[item] wa doko desu ka?
  （Excuse me, where is [item]?）

Example:

• すみません Sumimasen, おにぎりはどこですか？onigiri wa doko desu ka?
  (Excuse me, where are the rice balls?)

Store clerk :

• おにぎりはあそこです Onigiri wa asoko desu.
  (Rice balls are over there.)

3. レジでのやりとり(Conversation at the cash register）

Clerk:

• こちらへどうぞ Kochiraedouzo (Here please)
• いらっしゃいませ Irasshaimase.
• お待 (ま) たせいたしました Omatase itashimashita.(Thank you for waiting. , I'm sorry to keep you waiting.)

Clerk:

• 袋 (ふくろ) は入い) りますか？ Fukuro wa irimasu ka?
  (Do you need a bag?)
• お箸 (はし) はご入用 (いりよう) ですか？ Ohashi wa goiriyou desu ka?
  (Would you like chopsticks?)
• スプーンは入（い）りますか？Supuun wa irimasu ka?
  (Do you need a spoon?)

Customer:

• はい。お願 (ねが) いします Hai, onegaishimasu. (Yes, please.)
• はい。ください Hai, kudasai. (Yes, please.)(Not polite)
• 大丈夫（だいじょうぶ）です Daijoubu desu. (I'm okay / No, thank you.)
• いらないです Iranai desu. (I don’t need it.)

4.お会計 (かいけい) (Checkout)

• [金額 (きんがく) ]になります [Amount] en ni narimasu. (It will be [amount] yen.)
• カードでお願 (ねが) いします ka-do de onegaishimasu.
  (I’d like to pay by credit card.)
• スイカでお願いします Suika de onegaishimasu
  (I'd like to pay by Suika card.)

5. 最後 (さいご) のあいさつ

You :

• ありがとうございます Arigatougozaimasu
  (Thank you)
• ありごとうございました Arigatou gozaimashita.
  (Thank you very much.)

Clerk:

• ありがとうございます Arigatou gozaimasu.
  (Thank you.)
• ありごとうございました Arigatou gozaimashita.
  (Thank you very much.)

「ありがとうございます」 vs 「ありがとうございました」“Arigatou gozaimasu” vs “Arigatou gozaimashita”

💬 Basic Meanings: ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)= “Thank you (very much).” Polite, present tense Us ...