おねがいします
onegai shimasurequest
Please in hiragana depends on the situation. おねがいします (onegai shimasu) asks for a favor or a service. ください (kudasai) follows the thing you want. どうぞ (dōzo) is said when you offer something.
Meaning: polite request (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おねがいします | onegai shimasu | request |
| ください | kudasai | with an item |
| どうぞ | dōzo | offering |
In a shop, say the item and ください: みずをください (mizu o kudasai), "water, please". To ask for help, say おねがいします.
Which one should you use?
どうぞ means "please go ahead" or "here you are". It does not ask for anything, it invites.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Add どうか (dōka) before おねがいします for a stronger and more sincere request.
Did you know?
- A shop assistant often says しょうしょうおまちください (shōshō omachi kudasai), "please wait a moment", using the same ください.
Examples in context
- みずをください。Mizu o kudasai.Water, please.
- てつだってください。Tetsudatte kudasai.Please help me.
- どうぞ、すわってください。Dōzo, suwatte kudasai.Please, have a seat.
Example conversation
Ben orders from the Staff at a small restaurant.
- Staffごちゅうもんをどうぞ。Gochūmon o dōzo.Go ahead and order.
- Benらーめんをおねがいします。Rāmen o onegai shimasu.Ramen, please.
- Staffはい、しょうしょうおまちください。Hai, shōshō omachi kudasai.Yes, please wait a moment.
