What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of watashi (I/me), ni (to), denwa (telephone), shite (the te-form of to do) and kudasai (please).
Which one should you use?
For a more indirect and polite request, you can use the negative form お電話いただけませんか. The version お電話いただけますか is also a polite option. In contrast, 電話してくれ is a casual version used with friends or colleagues of equal or lower status, while 電話してよ is an assertive phrase used with close friends that can seem demanding. For professional business settings, お電話ください is a more polite and professional way to make the request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal situations or when speaking to someone of high status, use お電話いただけますか or the more indirect お電話いただけませんか. For professional business settings, お電話ください is preferred. In casual settings, you can use 電話してくれ for friends and colleagues of the same age or lower status or 電話してよ for close peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping watashi ni and kudasai results in the casual form 電話して.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi ni denwa shite kudasai
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the particle wo instead of ni after watashi. However, ni is required to indicate the recipient of the action.
Did you know?
- When answering a phone, Japanese people often say moshi moshi, which is a repetition of the word for 'if'.
- The word denwa (telephone) is a combination of two kanji meaning 'electricity' and 'speech'.
- The word kudasai comes from a verb meaning 'to give' something of high value, effectively asking the listener to 'give' you the favor of the action.
Examples in context
- 私に電話してください。watashi ni denwa shite kudasai.Please call me.
- 明日、私に電話してください。ashita, watashi ni denwa shite kudasai.Please call me tomorrow.
- 何かあれば私に電話してください。nanika areba watashi ni denwa shite kudasai.Please call me if there is anything.
Example conversation
Yui is leaving her phone number with Hiroto at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiこれ、私の番号です。kore, watashi no bango desu.This is my number.
- 大翔 Hiroto分かりました。ありがとう。wakarimashita. arigato.Understood. Thank you.
- 結衣 Yui後で私に電話してください。ato de watashi ni denwa shite kudasai.Please call me later.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、結衣さん。hai, yui-san.Yes, Yui.
