Question
I’m planning to visit a friend in Japan and I’d like to bring a small gift to show my appreciation. I want to ask the shop staff, “Can you recommend a popular gift?” How can I say this in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
人気（にんき）のお土産（みやげ）をおすすめしてくれませんか。
Ninki no omiyage o osusume shite kuremasenka?
Can you recommend a popular gift?
When looking for gifts in Japan, it’s common to use the word “omiyage,” which translates to “souvenir” or “gift.” In this phrase, “ninki” means “popular,” and “osusume shite kuremasenka” is a polite way to ask for a recommendation. This expression is very useful when shopping and looking for suggestions. Simply replace “ninki no omiyage” with another product or category you are interested in to seek recommendations on other items.
