お通し（おとおし、otoおshi）
- appetizer

お通し refers to a small appetizer or side dish that is automatically served to customers at izakaya (Japanese pubs) and some restaurants, even before they order any food. It's similar to a "cover charge" in some Western establishments, but it's typically a small dish of food. The purpose is to welcome the customer and to provide something to eat while they decide what to order. The cost of the お通し is usually added to the final bill. The selection of お通し varies from place to place and even from day to day, often reflecting seasonal ingredients. The [お通し] itself is considered a gesture of hospitality and can be a sign of a good restaurant.

⚫︎今日のお通しは冷奴です。 Translation: Today's appetizer is cold tofu. ⚫︎あの店のお通しはいつも美味しい。 Translation: The appetizer at that restaurant is always delicious. ⚫︎お通しはいくらですか？ Translation: How much is the cover charge (appetizer)?

You typically won't directly ask for お通し. It will be brought to you automatically when you are seated. You can ask about its cost, or remark on how good or bad it is. You might use the word when talking about your izakaya experience, or when recommending a restaurant. Avoid asking if you can skip お通し, as it is considered rude. However, if you have allergies or dietary restrictions, politely inform the staff when you sit down. You can politely ask the staff about the price of the お通し at the end of your meal.

お通し is usually written in hiragana. The kanji form is お通し (通用) There are no major variations in the okurigana. The word itself is already in hiragana.

There are not any exact synonyms for お通し, as it is a specific cultural practice. However, terms that relate to the concept could be: ⚫︎ Cover charge (although the nature of the お通し is different) ⚫︎ Appetizer ⚫︎ Side dish

There are no direct antonyms for お通し.

すみません、お通しは別料金ですか？ ・Translation: Excuse me, is the appetizer a separate charge? ・Explanation: This is a polite way to inquire about the cost of the お通し.

この店のお通し、すごく美味しいね！ ・Translation: This restaurant's appetizer is really delicious! ・Explanation: A compliment about the quality of the お通し reflects positively on the establishment.

The etymology of お通し is related to the verb 通す (とおす), meaning "to pass through" or "to let through." It's believed that the [お通し] was originally a small offering given to customers to "pass them through" the time until their main orders were prepared. The "o-" is an honorific prefix, making the term more polite.