How to Say ‘How many people’ in Japanese
何名様
なんめいさま
💬 Usage Tip: Literally means 'how many honored guests?'
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, counting people often includes honorifics like [様] (sama) to show respect.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
何なん
[nan]
what
A word used to inquire about someone or something.
何時に行きますか？
What time are you going?
名めい
[mei]
people
Used to count or refer to people in a respectful manner.
お客様は何名様ですか？
How many people are in your party?
様さま
[sama]
polite suffix
A polite honorific used when addressing or referring to someone.
鈴木様が電話しております。
Mr. Suzuki is on the phone.
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