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How to Say Please in Japanese 

By Kai Yoshizaki & Kyle Jumara | June 26th, 2023

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Understanding how to communicate appropriately is crucial to any language, as it gives off the impression that you put in hard work to learn the language as a foreigner, as well as gaining an appreciation and better understanding of the culture; taking Japanese for example, being able to properly say please in Japanese is a crucial aspect of this respect-driven language.

Taking up Japanese? It goes beyond mastering vocabulary and grammar rules; you're going to naturally embrace a new culture. Understanding how to say "please" is a significant part of this journey. The term "please" in Japanese changes according to the situation, and knowing how to use it correctly in casual chats, work-related talks, or formal exchanges is key. By starting with the humble "please," you're not just learning a language but also gaining a deeper insight into Japanese society.

This article is a part of our extensive series on Learning Japanese through Online Japanese Lessons at Japan Switch.

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The Subtlety of “Please” in Japanese

Japan is well-known for its respect-based culture, and this is even more evident in its language, Japanese. As with many languages, certain phrases and ways of expressing yourself in Japanese have a major impact on how you are perceived. Unlike English, Japanese has a higher focus on the level of formalities used and integrates varying degrees of formality and respect into its speech and written words which change based on who the other person is when addressing them. This linguistic characteristic shines through the practice of keigo, a system of honorific speech in Japanese.

Keigo consists of three distinct levels of politeness, each progressively more formal than the last. We may effectively express ourselves in Japanese through this linguistic understanding of knowing when and with whom to use certain phrases, as well as recognizing how even little changes in the words we use can affect how others see us. As we unravel the concept of please in Japanese, we'll navigate these different forms of keigo, providing a more holistic understanding of its nuance and usage.

Romaji is a very important concept to learn before diving into any bit of Japanese. Check out our article on how to understand romaji!

Common Ways to Say "Please" in Japanese

There are many iterations of using the word please in Japanese. We will look at some of the more common ways it is said and its common uses.

Casual

ください
k
udasai

ちょうだい
choudai

Neutral

お願いします
onegai shimasu

どうぞ
douzo

Formal

いただけませんか
itadakemasen ka

お願い致します
onegai itashimasu

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Using Please in Japanese Daily Conversations

Kudasai

While kudasai is often seen as a casual form of "please" in Japanese, it's worth noting that its use extends beyond informal scenarios. It's often used in requests for help, favors, and when asking for something. Let's explore how the different contexts shape the usage of this word.

Requesting something: 

You

あとでクラスからのノートを見せてください。

Ato de kurasu kara no nooto wo misete kudasai.

Later, may I see your notes from class?

Friend

昨日のノート?

Kino no nooto?

Yesterday’s notes? 

You

うん、昨日学校にいなかったからノートを写してください。

Un, kinou gakkou ni inakatta kara noto wo utsushite kudasai.

Yeah, I wasn’t here at school yesterday so please let me copy your notes.

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Requesting someone to do something:

Customer

すみません。

Sumimasen.

Excuse me.

Staff

はい。

Hai.

Can I help you?

Customer

このシャツの紫色はありますか?

Kono shaatsu no murasaki iro wa

arimasu ka?

Do you have this shirt in purple?

Staff

ちょっと待ってください。 

Chotto matte kudasai.

Please wait a moment (very common phrase).

If you need to go and review some easy Japanese phrases in daily life, check out our article on Easy Japanese!

When asking for something:

You

すみません。

Sumimasen.

Excuse me.

Waiter

はい。

Hai.

Yes?

You

お水ください 。

O mizu kudasai.

Can I have some water please?

Waiter

かしこまりました。

Kashikomarimashita.

Of course.

 

Very polite requests:

You

田中さん、すみませんが、この資料のコピーを作っていただけますか?

Tanaka-san, sumimasen ga, kono shiryou no kopii o tsukutte itadakemasu ka?

Mr. Tanaka, could you please make a copy of this document for me?

Mr. Tanaka

申し訳ありませんが、今は少し手が離せません。

Moushiwake arimasen ga, ima wa sukoshi te ga hanasemasen.

I'm sorry, but I can't spare the time right now.

You

それは大丈夫です、お忙しいところ失礼しました。

Sore wa daijoubu desu, oisogashii tokoro shitsurei shimashita.

That's fine, I apologize for interrupting when you're busy.

When asking to repeat something:

You

もう一度言ってください。

Mo ichido itte kudasai.

Can you repeat that please?

Friend

ここでお待ちしてください。

Koko de o machi shite kudasai.

Please wait here.

You

分かりました。ありがとうございます。

Wakarimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.

I understand, thanks.

Friend

どういたしまして。

Dou itashimashite.

You’re welcome.

Choudai / ちょうだい rules:

While choudai is considered a casual way to say "please" in Japanese, it's essential to note that its usage leans toward the informal and somewhat demanding side. For instance, translating "give me the document, please" to shorui o choudai might come off as rather forceful, despite the inclusion of "please". Let's examine a conversational context where choudai is utilized.

When demanding something:

Co-worker

何か必要?

Nanika hitsuyou?

Do you need something?

You

うん、サインちょうだい。

Un, sain choudai.

Yeah, give me your signature.

Co-worker

失礼な言い方。

Shitsurei na iikata.

What a rude way of asking.

You

ごめんなさい。

Gomennasai.

Sorry.

 

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Using "Please" in Japanese Neutral Conversations

Onegai shimasu / お願いします rules:

Onegai shimasu, the standard way of saying "please" in Japanese, sits comfortably in daily conversations, striking a neutral tone neither too formal nor too informal. For a slightly more formal feel, you might come across onegai itashimasu. While kudasai is less formal than onegai shimasu, all three are polite. Let's look into onegai shimasu, often used in response to questions and during requests. 

When requesting something politely:

Cashier

レジ袋は ごりようです か?

Reji bukuro ha goriyou desuka?

Do you want a bag?

Customer

はい、お願いします。

Hai, onegai shimasu. 

Yes please.

Cashier

一枚ですか?

Ichi mai desu ka?

One bag?

Customer

はい、お願いします。

Hai, onegai shimasu.

Yes please.

In Japanese conversation, you'll often hear hai, onegai shimasu used repeatedly. This repetition might seem a bit peculiar initially, but it reflects the cultural norm of maintaining a high level of politeness in interactions.

When responding positively to a question:

You

コーヒーとベーグルください。

Koohii to beeguru kudasai.

One coffee and a bagel please.

Coffee shop worker

店内ですか?

Ten nai desu ka?

Are you eating here?

You

はい、お願いいたします。

Hai, onegai itashi masu.

Yes please.

When asking for someone to do something that is collaborative:

New coworker

初めまして。けんたです。

Hajimemashite. Kenta desu.

Nice to meet you. I'm Kenta.

You

初めまして。ようこそ。

Hajimemashite.  Youkoso.

Nice to meet you and welcome.

New coworker

よろしくお願いします。

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

I am counting on you.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu is a handy phrase you'll hear a lot in Japan. There's no perfect English equivalent, but it's kind of like saying, "Let's get along well." It's a polite phrase used when you meet someone new, especially in a work or team setting. It basically means you're looking forward to good teamwork. The person is saying, "Please take care of me," or "Let's work well together." It's a cool cultural nuance, an understanding that cooperation is the best way to work!

Don't know what Japanese words are the most useful to cover when learning Japanese? Check out our article on the Top 1000 Japanese Words You Need to Know!

Douzo / どうぞ Rules

Douzo also roughly translates to please, but is used when offering something to someone. Similar to the word please in “please sit down.”

When offering assistance:

Colleague

うーん、これが終わらない。

Uun, kore ga owaranai.

Hmm, I can't seem to get this done.

You

お手伝いしましょうか?

O tetsudai shimashou ka?

Shall I help you?

Colleague

え、本当に?それなら助かるな。

E, hontouni? Sore nara tasukaru na.

Eh, really? That would help a lot.

You

どうぞ、何でも聞いてください。

Douzo, nandemo kiite kudasai.

Please, feel free to ask.

Here, douzo functions as a polite invitation to engage, similar to the English "please feel free to...". It demonstrates the speaker's readiness to help and encourages the co-worker to ask for assistance as needed.

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Using "Please" in Japanese Formal Conversations

Taking the phrase “please” from onegai shimasu to onegai itashimasu, we shift towards a more formal version of the previous form. This is commonly used when you are addressing someone of higher status. Typically, higher-status individuals can include people who are older than you, a boss, teacher, or elder whom you respect. If you want to step up your formalities even further, you can use itadakemasen ka. This phrase is a polite way to ask for something in Japanese and is particularly suited when addressing individuals of higher status.

Itadakemasen ka / いただけませんか rules:

When making requests to people you should show respect for, you can use itadakemasen ka instead of kudasai or onegai shimasu  for added politeness when requesting something.

Respectfully requesting for help from a senior

Student

先生、 質問してもよろしいですか?

Sensei shitsumon shitemo yoroshii desu ka?

Teacher, can I ask a question?

Teacher

はい、いいよ。

Hai ii yo.

Sure, go ahead.

Student

カタカナで書いていただけませんか。

Katakana de kaite iteitadakemasen ka

Can you please write in katakana?

Asking for help to someone you respect:

You

先輩、見ていただけますか?

Senpai, mite itadakemasu ka?

Senior, can you please take a look?

Teacher

はいどうぞ。

Hai, douzo.

Sure.

You

このレポートをチェックしていただけませんか。

Kono report o check shite itadakemasen ka.

Can you please check this report?

Teacher

了解しました、少し時間をください。

Ryoukai shimashita, sukoshi jikan o kudasai.

Understood, please give me a little time.

Asking a stranger to take a photo of something:

You

すみません、写真をとっていただけませんか?

Sumimasen, shashin wo totte itadakemasenka.

Excuse me, would you mind taking a photo for me?

Stranger

いいですよ。

Ii desu yo.

No problem.

You

ありがとうございます。

Arigatou gozaimasu.

Thank you.

Stranger

どういたしまして。

Dou itashi mashite.

You’re welcome.

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Onegai itashimasu / お願いいたします rules:

Onegai itashimasu and onegai shimasu are interchangeable forms of saying “please”. To go one step further in terms of formality, you would say onegai itashimasu which would more typically be used for formal interactions such as legal issues, if you are trying to make a good impression at your new workplace, or with potential/current clients.

When calling a number to request a certain person

Bank

Teller

もしもし。

Moshi moshi.

Hello. (used when picking up the phone)

You

すみません、鈴木さんお願いいたします。

Sumimasen Suzuki-san onegai itashimasu.

Excuse me, can I talk to Suzuki-san?

Bank

Teller

ちょっとお待ちください。

Chotto omachi kudasai.

Please wait a moment.

When requesting to change your shift

Boss

もしもし。

Moshi moshi.

Hello. (used when picking up the phone)

You

すみません、明日のシフトを変えてください。

Sumimasen, ashita no shift o kaete kudasai.

Excuse me, please change my shift for tomorrow.

Boss

了解しました。少しお待ちください。

Ryoukai shimashita. Sukoshi omachi kudasai.

Understood. Please wait a moment.

How NOT to Use "Please"

Given the courteous nature of these expressions, it's unlikely you'll cause offense if you mistakenly use them out of context. However, you should be aware of certain nuances. For instance, appending "please" to a request for a burdensome task can inadvertently come across as disrespectful or patronizing. Furthermore, kudasai should typically be used when requesting something that is rightfully yours, not when making a request on behalf of someone else. Understanding these subtle distinctions can make all the difference in your Japanese language interactions.

Neighbor

もしもし。

Moshi moshi.

Hello. (used when picking up the phone)

You

すみません、私のために荷物を運んでください。

Sumimasen, watashi no tame ni nimotsu o hakonde kudasai.

Excuse me, could you carry my luggage for me, please?

Neighbor

申し訳ありませんが、それは少し重すぎ。

Moushiwake arimasen ga, sore wa sukoshi omosugi.

I'm sorry, but that's a bit too heavy.

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Purizu / プリーズ:

Phonetically similar to “pulleys” is purizu which is the English word “please” written out phonetically. Avoid using this form as it sounds childish and could come across as improper in nearly all situations.

Classmate A

すごい、新しい漫画が出たね。

Sugoi, atarashii manga ga deta ne.

Wow, a new manga has been released.

Classmate B

読みたいの?

Yomitai no?

Do you want to read it?

Classmate A

イエス、 プリーズ。

Yesu, purizu.

Yes, please.

(said phonetically)

Classmate B

何?それは何の意味?

Nani? Sore wa nani no imi?

What? What does that mean?

Native explaining how to use please in Japanese

Advice from a Native Speaker

Doing a quick translation of the word “please” will most likely be either onegai shimasu and  kudasai, these words are mostly interchangeable, but there are some cases where you can't use kudasai and some cases where you can’t use onegai shimasu.

Friend

新しい映画を見に行きましょうか?

Atarashii eiga o mini ikimashou ka?

Shall we go to see the new movie?

You

今日はちょっと忙しいんだ。

Kyou wa chotto isogashii n da.

I'm a bit busy today.

Friend

そうか。また別の日に計画しましょう。

Sou ka. Mata betsu no hi ni keikaku shimashou.

I see. Let's plan for another day then.

You

そうしましょう。それと、今度うちで晩ご飯を作るから、ぜひ来てください。

Sou shimashou. Soreto, kondo uchi de bangohan o tsukuru kara, zehi kite kudasai.

Let's do that. Also, I'm cooking dinner at my place next time, so please do come.

In this conversation, kudasai is used to extend a polite invitation to the friend to come over for dinner. The use of this phrase showcases its role in maintaining politeness in day-to-day Japanese conversations.

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