ちょうだい
chōdai
ちょうだい (chōdai) is the Japanese phrase for "give it to me".
ちょうだい is used as a casual request to have a physical object handed over to the speaker. It is typically used for tangible items rather than asking for favors or abstract concepts.
Which one should you use?
While ちょうだい is casual, ください is the standard polite form used when speaking to strangers, teachers or superiors. For a formal expression meaning "Please give it to me," you can use Watashi ni kudasai.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ちょうだい is an informal expression. It is typically used by women, children or when speaking to close friends or people of lower status. An informal version including a pronoun is Watashi ni choudai, which is used among friends and acquaintances.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the object you want, place the object followed by the particle を before ちょうだい (〜をちょうだい).
How do you pronounce it?
chōdai
Did you know?
- The phrase ちょうだい is derived from the verb ちょうだいする, which historically referred to the act of receiving a gift or a grant from a superior.
- While ちょうだい can mean 'give it to me', it is also the standard way to say 'bring' when talking to a baby or a very young child. In this context, it functions more like a command to move an object toward the speaker.
- The phrase can be used in a playful, almost flirtatious way between couples. Using ちょうだい with a high-pitched tone can transform a simple request for an item into a way of acting 'kawaii' or cute.
Examples in context
- Hai, douzo (はい、どうぞ)Yes, here you go
- そのペン、ちょうだい。Sono pen, choudai.Give me that pen.
- お菓子をちょうだい。Okashi o choudai.Give me the sweets.
- その地図をちょうだい。Sono chizu o choudai.Give me that map.
Example conversation
A boy and a girl are playing in a room.
- 結衣 Yuiこれ、ちょうだい！Kore, choudai!Give me this!
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ、結衣ちゃん。Ii yo, Yui-chan.Okay, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、陽太くん！Arigatou, Yota-kun!Thank you, Yota!
- 陽太 Yotaどういたしまして。Douitashimashite.You're welcome.
