
Question
I am planning to visit a traditional Japanese tea house and want to impress the staff by politely asking for a tea recommendation. How can I say “Could you recommend a tea?” in Japanese?

Japango Editor Team
お茶(ちゃ)をおすすめしていただけますか。
Ocha o osusume shite itadakemasu ka?
Could you recommend a tea?
When visiting a traditional Japanese tea house, it’s a good idea to ask for recommendations to enjoy a personal tea experience. The phrase “ocha” means “tea,” and “osusume” means “recommendation.” By adding “shite itadakemasu ka,” you turn your request into a polite question, suitable for asking staff in formal or traditional settings.
You can use this expression in other scenarios, too, by replacing “ocha” with other items that you wish to seek recommendations for, making your interactions more personable and friendly.