お願いします
o-negai shimasu[o̞ne̞ɡa̠i ɕima̠sɨ̥]
In Japanese, "please" can be expressed as お願いします (o-negai shimasu) or by using the form …ください.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| お願いします | o-negai shimasu | [o̞ne̞ɡa̠i ɕima̠sɨ̥] (narrow) |
| …ください | …kudasái |
The phrase お願いします is a common interjection used to make a polite request, particularly when ordering food or requesting a service from staff.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase お願いします literally means "I make a request" or "I humbly ask".
Which one should you use?
お願いします is often used as a standalone phrase to request an object or service, while …ください is attached directly to a specific noun or verb.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form …ください is used after a noun or a verb in the te-form to make a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
o-negai shimasu
Did you know?
- While お願いします is a request, it is also the standard way to introduce yourself to someone for the first time, effectively meaning 'please be kind to me from now on'.
- The verb 願う (negau) within the phrase is the same word used for 'to wish' or 'to pray' in a religious context.
- If you are asking a close friend for something, using お願いします or ください can actually sound too formal and create an awkward social distance.
Examples in context
- 勘定お願いします。The check, please.This sentence shows how to use お願いします to ask for the check.Tatoeba #5112 by bunbuku, translation #1710 by brauliobezerra
- 魚をお願いします。Fish, please.This sentence shows how to use お願いします to request fish.Tatoeba #182092 by small_snow, translation #19342 by CK
- 修理お願いします。Please fix this.This sentence shows how to use お願いします to request a repair.Tatoeba #13470014 by bunbuku, translation #54929 by CK
- すみません、お水をください。Excuse me, may I have some water, please?
- お手紙を送ってくださいませんか？Would you please send the letter?
- ちょっと待ってください。Please wait a moment.
- 貸して欲しいんですけど。I would like to borrow it, please.
- この本を貸してくださいませんか？Could you please lend me this book?
- さっき言っていただいたこと、もう一度言ってくださいませんか？Could you please repeat what you said earlier?
- 249 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student asks her teacher for a pencil.
- 陽葵 Himari鉛筆を、お願いします。enpitsu o, onegaishimasu.A pencil, please.
- 蓮 Renはい、どうぞ。hai, douzo.Here you go.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 蓮 Renいいえ。iie.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries お願いします, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
