名様(めいさま)

めいさま
counter
polite counter for people
formalhonorificnumber
1. polite counter for people; persons (in a party)
The honorific version of the counter 名(めい), used by restaurant, hotel, and shop staff when counting guests and customers. It is service-industry language: staff say it about customers, and customers do not use it about themselves.
何名様(なんめいさま)ですか。
How many in your party?
三名様(さんめいさま)でご予約(よやく)を承(うけたまわ)りました。
We have your reservation for three people.
二名様(にめいさま)でお待(ま)ちのお客様(きゃくさま)、カウンター席(せき)へどうぞ。
Customers waiting as a party of two, please come to the counter seats.

The counter 名(めい) plus the honorific 様(さま). Numbers attach directly in front: 一名様(いちめいさま), 二名様(にめいさま), 四名様(よんめいさま).

Common expressions

  • 何名様(なんめいさま)ですか: how many people are in your party?
  • 何名様(なんめいさま)でしょうか: the softer, more polite version staff usually say
  • ご一緒(いっしょ)に何名様(なんめいさま): how many are with you?
  • 二名様(にめいさま)ご案内(あんない): showing a party of two to their table

Similar words

  • 名(めい): counter for people — plain and formal; used in writing and about your own group (三名(さんめい)で伺(うかが)います)
  • 人(にん): counter for people — the everyday counter, with the irregular 一人(ひとり) and 二人(ふたり)
  • 人前(にんまえ): portions — counts servings of food, not people

Related Words

Related: 人(にん) (plain counter)
general
Added 2026.8.20 11:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
30500/30700_meisama