言ってください
The English phrase "please say" is translated into Japanese as 言ってください.
Which one should you use?
While 言ってください is a polite request, the shorter form 言って is a casual command used with friends or subordinates.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
言ってください is a standard polite way to ask someone to say something and is suitable for most daily social interactions. For an even more respectful way to say "please say" in very formal or business settings, use the honorific form おっしゃってください. In casual situations, you can use 言ってくれ to request someone to say something for you or 言ってもらえる？ to casually ask if someone could say something for you.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use 言ってください when they actually mean "please tell me" (教えてください), though both can be used depending on context.
Did you know?
- The polite form おっしゃってください uses a completely different verb root, おっしゃる, which is a 'special' honorific verb that only exists to describe the actions of people of higher social status.
- Japanese has a concept called 'reading the air' (空気を読む), meaning that in many contexts, you do not need to 言ってください or ask someone to say something because the meaning is understood from the atmosphere.
- In Japanese culture, requesting someone to 'say' something (言ってください) often requires a non-verbal nod or a slight bow to soften the request's impact.
Examples in context
- フランス語で言ってください。Please say it in French.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to say something in a specific language using 言ってください.Tatoeba #9694269 by small_snow, translation #6355646 by CK
- もう一度言ってくださいますか。Could you please say that again?This sentence shows how to use 言ってください to politely ask someone to repeat themselves.Tatoeba #194302 by bunbuku, translation #6349916 by CK
- 意見があれば、言ってください。If you have an opinion, please say it.This sentence demonstrates using 言ってください to request an opinion.Tatoeba #8856416 by mochico, translation #10765371 by end
- 色を言ってください。Please say the color.
- 名前をおっしゃってください。Please say your name.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Himari is practicing English with Hiroto.
- 陽葵 Himariこの単語はどう読みますか？Kono tango wa dou yomimasu ka?How do you read this word?
- 大翔 Hiroto「Apple」です。Apple desu.It is 'Apple'.
- 陽葵 Himariもう一度、英語で言ってください。Mou ichido, eigo de itte kudasai.Please say it in English once more.
- 大翔 HirotoApple です。Apple desu.It is 'Apple'.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
