How to Say ‘How many people?’ in Japanese
何名様でしょうか
なんめいさまでしょうか
💬 Usage Tip: Polite way to inquire about the number in your party.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Important for arranging adequate seating.
Phrase Breakdown
何名様
でしょうか
Word-by-Word Breakdown
何なん
[nan]
how many
A question word for inquiring about quantity.
何人でしたか？
How many people were there?
名めい
[mei]
people
Counter for counting people.
二名だけです。
Only two people.
様さま
[sama]
honorific title
Honorific title used for addresses.
お客様に感謝します。
I am grateful to the customers.
でしょうでしょう
[deshou]
will be
Polite phrase for making suggestions or assumptions.
彼が来るでしょう。
He will probably come.
かか
[ka]
question particle
Turns sentence into a question.
もう一度行きますか？
Shall we go again?
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager