Question
I’m planning to visit a friend in Japan and she has invited me over to her house for dinner. I would like to bring a small gift to show my appreciation, but I’m not sure how to ask what she likes. How do I ask her “What would you like as a gift?” in Japanese?
Japango Editor Team
プレゼントは何（なに）が欲（ほ）しいですか。
Purezento wa nani ga hoshii desuka?
What would you like as a gift?
In Japan, it is customary to bring a small gift, or “omiyage”, when visiting someone’s home. To ask what your friend might like, you can use the phrase above. Purezento means “gift”; nani ga means “what”; and hoshii desuka means “would you like?”.
If you already have something in mind, you can replace “nani” with the item, for example, “プレゼントはワインが欲しいですか。” (Purezento wa wain ga hoshii desuka?) means “Would you like wine as a gift?”
Remember, the thoughtfulness behind the gift is often more appreciated than the item itself.
