Question
I’m traveling to Japan soon and plan to visit a traditional Japanese tea house. I want to know how to politely order a cup of matcha tea in Japanese. Could you help me with the phrase for ordering matcha and tea etiquette tips?
Japango Editor Team
抹茶（まっちゃ）を一杯（いっぱい）ください。
Matcha o ippai kudasai.
Please give me a cup of matcha.
When you are ready to order your matcha in a tea house, the phrase “matcha o ippai kudasai” will be very useful. The word “matcha” refers to the finely ground green tea, “ippai” means “a cup”, and “kudasai” is a polite request, similar to saying “please”.
Here are a few tea etiquette tips to enhance your tea-drinking experience:
1. **Bow before receiving the tea**: A small bow when the matcha is served shows respect for the server.
2. **Hold the tea bowl properly**: Use your right hand to hold the side of the bowl and the left hand to support the bottom.
3. **Turn the bowl before drinking**: It’s customary to rotate the bowl slightly (usually two turns) to avoid drinking from the front, where the host has presented the tea to you.
By using the phrase and these etiquette tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a more authentic and respectful tea experience in Japan. Enjoy your matcha!
