付き合ってくれますか？
tsukiatte kuremasu ka?
The English phrase "can I court you?" is translated into Japanese as 付き合ってくれますか？ (tsukiatte kuremasu ka?)
While the English expression "court you" sounds very old-fashioned, the Japanese phrase 付き合ってくれますか？ is the standard, modern way to ask someone to enter into a romantic relationship with you.
Which one should you use?
The form 付き合ってくれますか？ is slightly more indirect and polite than the direct request 付き合ってください, as it specifically asks if the person is willing to do the favor of dating you.
How does it change in a sentence?
By changing the polite question 付き合ってくれますか？ to the request form 付き合ってください, you turn the phrase into a direct request to "please go out with me" rather than a question of willingness.
How do you pronounce it?
tsukiatte kuremasu ka?
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, this confession or 'kokuhaku' (declaration of feelings) is often the required formal step to move from 'just friends' to a couple. Without this specific verbal request, a relationship is often not considered 'official' by society.
- When someone is asked 付き合ってくれますか？ and they agree, they are not just agreeing to a date, but to an exclusive relationship. Using this phrase for a single first date would be seen as far too intense.
- The root verb 付き合う literally combines 'to attach' and 'to go'. It describes the act of two people walking or moving through life in synchronization.
Examples in context
- もしよければ、お付き合いしていただけませんか。If it's okay, would you go out with me?
- お付き合いをしてくださいませんか。Could you please go out with me?
- デートしてくれない？Will you go on a date with me?
- 付き合ってくれる？Will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend?
- 真剣な気持ちです。付き合ってくれますか？Shinken na kimochi desu. Tsukiatte kuremasu ka?I am serious. Will you go out with me?
Example conversation
A quiet park during a sunset date.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さん、付き合ってくれますか？Misaki-san, tsukiatte kuremasu ka?Misaki, will you go out with me?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、喜んで！Hai, yorokonde!Yes, I would love to!
- 大翔 Hiroto本当ですか？すごく嬉しいです。Honto desu ka? Sugoku ureshii desu.Really? I am so happy.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんとずっと一緒にいたいです。Hiroto-san to zutto issho ni itai desu.I want to be with you, Hiroto, forever.
