付き合ってください
tsukiatte kudasai
The English phrase "will you be my girlfriend?" can be expressed in Japanese as 付き合ってください (tsukiatte kudasai).
付き合ってください is the standard way to perform a kokuhaku (confession of love) to initiate a romantic relationship. While English speakers often specify a role, such as "girlfriend" or "boyfriend," this Japanese phrase is gender-neutral and simply asks to enter a relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb tsukiau (to go out with/to date) and kudasai (please).
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which specifies the role (girlfriend/boyfriend), the Japanese phrase 付き合ってください is gender-neutral and simply asks to enter a relationship.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more casual and intimate request, you can use 付き合って. If you want to be more explicit and formal, you can say 私と付き合ってください (Please go out with me) or 私の彼女になってください (Please become my girlfriend). The informal version 付き合ってくれる？ can also be used to mean "Will you go out with me?"
How do you pronounce it?
tsukiatte kudasai
When do people say it?
When someone makes this confession, a common, slightly more casual positive response is いいですよ (Sure / That's fine).
Did you know?
- The phrase 付き合ってください can be used in a non-romantic context to ask someone to 'go along with' a plan or a mood, such as accompanying a friend to a boring event.
- Because 付き合ってください is a formal request, it is common for the person confessing to bow while saying it to show sincerity and respect.
- In Japan, the kokuhaku ceremony is so distinct that a couple is often not considered 'officially' dating until this specific phrase is spoken, even if they have already been on several dates.
Examples in context
- ずっと前から好きでした。付き合ってください。Zutto mae kara suki deshita. Tsukiatte kudasai.I have loved you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend?
- 真剣な話なのですが、付き合ってください。Shinken na hanashi na no desu ga, tsukiatte kudasai.I am being serious, so please be my girlfriend.
- もしよかったら、付き合ってください。Moshi yokattara, tsukiatte kudasai.If you would like, please be my girlfriend.
Example conversation
Youta and Misaki are walking together in a park.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんのことが本当に好きです。付き合ってください。Misaki-san no koto ga hontō ni suki desu. Tsukiautte kudasai.I really like you, Misaki. Will you be my girlfriend?
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、本当に？E, hontō ni?What, really?
- 陽太 Yotaはい。よろしくお願いします。Hai. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Yes. I hope you'll say yes.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、いいよ。よろしくお願いします！Un, ii yo. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!Yeah, okay. Let's be together!
