Question
I am planning to visit a friend’s house in Japan, and I know it’s customary to bring a small gift. How do I ask “What kind of gift should I bring?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
どんなお土産（みやげ）を持（も）っていけばいいですか。
Donna omiyage o motte ikeba ii desuka?
What kind of gift should I bring?
When visiting someone’s home in Japan, it is polite to bring a small gift or “omiyage”. Using the phrase above, you can politely inquire what kind of gift would be appropriate.
Here, “donna” means “what kind of”; “omiyage” means “gift”; and “motte ikeba ii desuka?” means “should I bring?”.
Feel free to adjust “omiyage” to other items if needed. This phrase is especially useful when you are unsure and want to respect cultural norms while visiting someone.
