お願いします
o-negai shimasu[o̞ne̞ɡa̠i ɕima̠sɨ̥]
In Japanese, please is expressed as お願いします (o-negai shimasu). Wiktionary also lists …ください (…kudasái).
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 |
These terms are used as interjections to make polite requests.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase お願いします literally breaks down to 'request' (negai) and 'to do' (shimasu).
Which one should you use?
While both mean 'please', お願いします is typically used when requesting a thing or a service, whereas …ください is used when requesting a specific action (verb).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form …ください is used by attaching it directly to the te-form of a verb to make a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
o-negai shimasu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 'please' as a standalone interjection like in English. In Japanese, you must attach it to a noun or a verb form.
Did you know?
- While お願いします means 'please', it is also used as a formal greeting when starting a business meeting or a sports match to signal 'let us begin'.
- The verb 願う (negau) within this phrase is the same word used in Japanese to describe making a wish or a prayer to a deity.
- When using …ください, the 'kudasai' part actually comes from a verb meaning 'to give' in a downward direction.
Examples in context
- 勘定お願いします。The check, please.This is useful for asking for the check with お願いします.Tatoeba #5112 by bunbuku, translation #1710 by brauliobezerra
- 魚をお願いします。Fish, please.This is useful for requesting fish with お願いします.Tatoeba #182092 by small_snow, translation #19342 by CK
- 修理お願いします。Please fix this.This is useful for asking someone to fix something with お願いします.Tatoeba #13470014 by bunbuku, translation #54929 by CK
- 田中さん、これを手伝っていただけますか？Tanaka, could you please help me with this?
- はい、お願いします。Yes, please.
- チケットをください。Please give me a ticket.
- 明日、遊びに来てください！Please come and hang out tomorrow!
- うん、わかった。お願い。Sure, got it. Please.
- 249 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a local cafe, Himari is ordering a drink from Kenta.
- 陽葵 Himariコーヒーをお願いします。Kōhī o onegaishimasu.Coffee, please.
- 健太 Kentaはい、かしこまりました。Hai, kashikomarimashita.Yes, certainly.
- 陽葵 Himari砂糖もお願いします。Satō mo onegaishimasu.Sugar, please, too.
- 健太 Kentaすぐにお持ちします。Sugu ni omochi shimasu.I will bring it right away.
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.
