What does it mean word for word?
The phrase お立ちください is composed of the honorific prefix お, the stem of the verb tatsu (to stand) and kudasai (please).
Which one should you use?
お立ちください is a highly polite version used in professional service contexts. In contrast, 立ってください is a standard polite request used in everyday social situations. For a very casual setting, one might use 立って or the informal 立ってくれ, where kure acts as an informal way to say 'please' or 'kindly'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お立ちください is a formal expression commonly used by staff in public settings, such as on trains or in theaters, to instruct passengers or audience members. 立ってください is a standard polite form, while 立って and 立ってくれ are informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase お立ちください follows the honorific pattern 'o + verb stem + kudasai' to express a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
otachi kudasai
Did you know?
- While お立ちください is a request to stand, Japanese speakers often use the word tatsu (to stand) to describe the act of starting a business or establishing an organization.
- The verb stem 立ち in お立ちください is also the root for the word 立場 (tachiba), which literally means 'a place to stand' but is used to mean one's 'social position' or 'point of view'.
- While お立ちください is a polite request, if you are in a classroom or a formal ceremony, you will more likely hear the command 起立 (kiritsu) to tell people to stand.
Examples in context
- 田中さん、立ってください。Tanaka-san, please stand.
- 恐れ入りますが、お立ちください。Osoreirimasu ga, otachi kudasai.Excuse me, but please stand.
- 準備ができましたら、お立ちください。Junbi ga dekimashitara, otachi kudasai.Please stand when you are ready.
- 列の先頭の方、お立ちください。Retsu no sentou no kata, otachi kudasai.The person at the front of the line, please stand.
Example conversation
At a formal event where the host asks a guest to rise.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さん、こちらでお立ちください。Misaki-san, kochira de otachi kudasai.Misaki, please stand over here.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、わかりました。Hai, wakarimashita.Yes, I understand.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、大丈夫です。Iie, daijoubu desu.No, it's no problem.
