書いてください
kaite kudasai
書いてください (kaite kudasai) is the Japanese way to say "please write".
This phrase is used to make a polite request for someone to put words or symbols on paper or a screen, such as when typing on a device.
Which one should you use?
While 書いてください is a standard polite request, お書きください is even more respectful and polite. In contrast, the casual form 書いてくれる？ is used when asking a close friend or someone of the same age to write something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness depends on which form you choose. 書いてください is a polite request suitable for most daily interactions. If you need to be more respectful, use お書きください. For very casual situations, you can use the informal 書いて by dropping kudasai or use 書いてくれる？ with friends. The single word 書いて is considered informal and casual.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 書いてください is formed by using the te-form of the verb kaku (to write) followed by kudasai (please).
How do you pronounce it?
kaite kudasai
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the act of writing one's name is often replaced by the use of a hanko or personal seal. In formal business settings, you are more likely to be asked to 'stamp' your seal than to 'write' your signature.
- In Japanese, the verb kaku is used not only for writing with a pen, but also for 'drawing' or 'sketching' a picture. If you ask someone to 書いてください while pointing at a blank canvas, they might think you want them to paint a picture.
- The kanji for 'write' 書 is a pictograph that originally depicted a hand holding a brush. This reflects the historical importance of calligraphy in Japanese society compared to the modern use of pens and keyboards.
Examples in context
- 名前を書いてください。Please write your name.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to write their name with the form 書いてください.Tatoeba #10901611 by small_snow, translation #9725994 by Amastan
- 体験談を書いてください。Please write about your real experience.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to write about their real experience with the form 書いてください.Tatoeba #11563309 by small_snow, translation #38900 by CM
- 名前は鉛筆で書いてください。Please write your name with a pencil.Tatoeba #9211116 by bunbuku, translation #25774 by CK
- 重要なメールを書いてください。Please write an important email.
- ちょっとこれ書いてくれる？Can you write this for me real quick?
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A teacher is giving instructions to a student during a class.
- 健太 Kentaこの単語を書いてください。Kono tango o kaite kudasai.Please write this word.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、分かりました。Hai, wakarimashita.Yes, I understand.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは、とても丁寧に書いていますね。Yui-san wa, totemo teinei ni kaite imasu ne.Yui, you are writing very neatly.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
