[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-how-to-say-please-japanese":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":4,"blog-article-cms-how-to-say-please-japanese":6,"article-hreflang-how-to-say-please-japanese":926,"blog-article-related-how-to-say-please-japanese":927},null,{"approximate_member_count":5},21028,{"id":7,"documentId":8,"title":9,"description":10,"timestampUnix":11,"slug":12,"h1":13,"image":14,"tags":20,"lang":3,"body":24,"createdAt":920,"updatedAt":921,"publishedAt":922,"category":923,"featured":924,"timestamp":925,"locale":-1,"_dir":923},837,"k8ggtlolxfo40qfpgsrjfnyz","How to Say Please in Japanese: Ultimate Guide | Migaku","Learn how to say please in Japanese, from casual to business-level politeness, and even formal and traditional expressions. Read more inside… please!","1764399600000","how-to-say-please-japanese","How to Say Please in Japanese: Politeness, Context & Nuance",{"alt":15,"src":16,"width":17,"height":18,"previewOnly":19},"A person dressed in cosplay with their head down, pleading.","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fle_anh_jp71_Kd_Z1_XM_unsplash_67598e00f5\u002Fle_anh_jp71_Kd_Z1_XM_unsplash_67598e00f5.jpg",4000,3000,false,[21,22,23],"fundamentals","vocabulary","culture",{"data":25,"body":28,"toc":893},{"title":26,"description":27},"","When you learn English, “please” feels easy—a single word that works for almost any polite request. In Japanese, however, “please” isn’t just one word. Depending on who you’re talking to, where you are, and what you’re asking, there are several different ways to express “please,” each with its own nuance and level of politeness. Japanese values harmony, respect, and social context—so how we say “please” matters more than you might think.",{"type":29,"children":30},"root",[31,38,43,47,76,83,91,96,101,106,112,119,124,153,171,178,183,188,194,218,237,243,249,254,287,293,311,316,335,355,361,368,393,423,428,433,453,472,478,485,490,495,500,519,538,544,551,556,589,594,609,614,665,671,764,769,775,782,810,825,831,845,850,856,862,867,872,880,888],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":34,"children":35},"element","p",{},[36],{"type":37,"value":27},"text",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":39,"children":40},{},[41],{"type":37,"value":42},"In this guide, we’ll walk through the main variations of “please” in Japanese: from casual to business-level politeness, and even more formal or traditional expressions. For each, you’ll see when it’s used, why, and example sentences.",{"type":32,"tag":44,"props":45,"children":46},"toc",{},[],{"type":32,"tag":48,"props":49,"children":50},"blockquote",{},[51],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":52,"children":53},{},[54,56,65,67,74],{"type":37,"value":55},"This article assumes that you can already read hiragana. If not, we applaud your go-getter spirit. Before you read this article, you may want to take a detour to first check out ",{"type":32,"tag":57,"props":58,"children":62},"a",{"href":59,"rel":60},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fthe-japanese-alphabets",[61],"nofollow",[63],{"type":37,"value":64},"what hiragana is used for",{"type":37,"value":66},", then read this article while referencing our ",{"type":32,"tag":57,"props":68,"children":71},{"href":69,"rel":70},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fthe-japanese-language-hiragana",[61],[72],{"type":37,"value":73},"hiragana cheat sheet",{"type":37,"value":75},".",{"type":32,"tag":77,"props":78,"children":80},"h2",{"id":79},"why-japanese-has-many-pleases",[81],{"type":37,"value":82},"Why Japanese has many “pleases”",{"type":32,"tag":84,"props":85,"children":90},"img",{"src":86,"width":87,"height":88,"alt":89},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fhaut_risque_Ht_Cdc_Np_Zv_U_unsplash_8052337a1d\u002Fhaut_risque_Ht_Cdc_Np_Zv_U_unsplash_8052337a1d.jpg",5184,3456,"'Please smile at strangers' in neon lights (Unsplash: Haut Risque)",[],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":92,"children":93},{},[94],{"type":37,"value":95},"Japanese is a language deeply attuned to social relationships, respect, and hierarchy. Just as with greetings and farewells (for example: the many ways to say “goodbye” in Japanese), there isn’t a single, universal “please.” Instead, speakers must choose the right phrase to match the relationship, the situation, and the level of politeness.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":97,"children":98},{},[99],{"type":37,"value":100},"Using the wrong level can feel too distant, too casual, or even rude. On the other hand, overshooting—using extremely polite language in a casual conversation—can sound stilted or unnatural. The key is to match the tone to the context.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":102,"children":103},{},[104],{"type":37,"value":105},"Let’s explore the main “pleases.”",{"type":32,"tag":77,"props":107,"children":109},{"id":108},"basic-polite-requests-てください-te-kudasai-ください",[110],{"type":37,"value":111},"Basic polite requests: ～てください (…te kudasai) & ください",{"type":32,"tag":84,"props":113,"children":118},{"src":114,"width":115,"height":116,"alt":117},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fricky_kharawala_ad_K3_Vu70_DEQ_unsplash_5d59ef91c4\u002Fricky_kharawala_ad_K3_Vu70_DEQ_unsplash_5d59ef91c4.jpg",4239,2808,"A hamster looking like he's begging (Unsplash: Ricky Kharawala)",[],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":120,"children":121},{},[122],{"type":37,"value":123},"One of the simplest and most common ways to say “please” is by using the word ください (kudasai), often attached to the “-te form” of a verb (…てください), or following a noun to request something. This form is direct but still polite enough for everyday situations.",{"type":32,"tag":125,"props":126,"children":127},"ul",{},[128,142],{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":130,"children":131},"li",{},[132,134,140],{"type":37,"value":133},"Structure: ",{"type":32,"tag":135,"props":136,"children":137},"span",{},[138],{"type":37,"value":139},"object",{"type":37,"value":141}," を ください — when requesting something concrete.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":143,"children":144},{},[145,146,151],{"type":37,"value":133},{"type":32,"tag":135,"props":147,"children":148},{},[149],{"type":37,"value":150},"verb-te form",{"type":37,"value":152}," + ください — when asking someone to do something.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":154,"children":155},{},[156,162,164],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":158,"children":159},"strong",{},[160],{"type":37,"value":161},"Find out more:",{"type":37,"value":163}," ",{"type":32,"tag":57,"props":165,"children":168},{"href":166,"rel":167},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-te-form",[61],[169],{"type":37,"value":170},"Japanese Te-Form",{"type":32,"tag":172,"props":173,"children":175},"h3",{"id":174},"when-to-use-ください",[176],{"type":37,"value":177},"When to use ください",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":179,"children":180},{},[181],{"type":37,"value":182},"In everyday interactions: at shops, cafes, restaurants, among acquaintances, or in semi-formal settings.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":184,"children":185},{},[186],{"type":37,"value":187},"When you want a simple, polite request — but not overly formal.",{"type":32,"tag":172,"props":189,"children":191},{"id":190},"examples",[192],{"type":37,"value":193},"Examples",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":195,"children":196},{},[197,199,205,207,211,212],{"type":37,"value":198},"水をください ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":201,"children":204},"custom-audio",{"src":202,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_35085b6aa4\u002Fyue_35085b6aa4.mp3","3",[],{"type":37,"value":206},"。 ",{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":209,"children":210},"br",{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":214,"children":215},"em",{},[216],{"type":37,"value":217},"Please give me water.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":219,"children":220},{},[221,223,227,228,231,232],{"type":37,"value":222},"その報告書を読んでください ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":224,"children":226},{"src":225,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_513f0ece3f\u002Fyue_513f0ece3f.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":206},{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":229,"children":230},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":233,"children":234},{},[235],{"type":37,"value":236},"Please read that report.",{"type":32,"tag":77,"props":238,"children":240},{"id":239},"polite-and-versatile-お願いします-onegaishimasu-お願い",[241],{"type":37,"value":242},"Polite and versatile: お願いします (onegaishimasu) \u002F お願い",{"type":32,"tag":84,"props":244,"children":248},{"src":245,"width":246,"height":17,"alt":247},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fdan_gold_ZP_Qa_H_Sogmu_U_unsplash_4e838dbf8a\u002Fdan_gold_ZP_Qa_H_Sogmu_U_unsplash_4e838dbf8a.jpg",6000,"'Please stay on trail' on a sign in the forest (Unsplash: Dan Gold)",[],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":250,"children":251},{},[252],{"type":37,"value":253},"If ください is a simple “please,” then お願いします (onegaishimasu) could be considered a more flexible, polite “please”—often meaning “I humbly request...” or “I’d appreciate it if you would...”",{"type":32,"tag":125,"props":255,"children":256},{},[257,267,277],{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":258,"children":259},{},[260,265],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":261,"children":262},{},[263],{"type":37,"value":264},"When used alone:",{"type":37,"value":266}," you can say simply 「お願いします」 to mean “please.” For example, when handing something to a waiter, or when asking someone for help or a favor.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":268,"children":269},{},[270,275],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":271,"children":272},{},[273],{"type":37,"value":274},"With a noun:",{"type":37,"value":276}," you can say something like 「この資料をお願いします」(This document, please.) This is common when requesting an item or an action in a polite way.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":278,"children":279},{},[280,285],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":281,"children":282},{},[283],{"type":37,"value":284},"Casual variant:",{"type":37,"value":286}," Between friends or very familiar people, sometimes people drop the します — simply saying お願い (onegai). That feels more casual.",{"type":32,"tag":172,"props":288,"children":290},{"id":289},"when-to-use-お願いします-onegaishima",[291],{"type":37,"value":292},"When to use お願いします (onegaishima)",{"type":32,"tag":125,"props":294,"children":295},{},[296,301,306],{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":297,"children":298},{},[299],{"type":37,"value":300},"In semi-formal or formal interactions — shops, restaurants, business contexts, when asking for favors, etc.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304],{"type":37,"value":305},"When you want your request to sound modest, polite, and respectful.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":307,"children":308},{},[309],{"type":37,"value":310},"It works in many contexts — making it a go-to for learners unsure which “please” to use.",{"type":32,"tag":172,"props":312,"children":314},{"id":313},"examples-1",[315],{"type":37,"value":193},{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":317,"children":318},{},[319,321,325,326,329,330],{"type":37,"value":320},"この書類をお願いします ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":322,"children":324},{"src":323,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_52f3d1ab45\u002Fyue_52f3d1ab45.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":206},{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":327,"children":328},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":331,"children":332},{},[333],{"type":37,"value":334},"This document, please.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":336,"children":337},{},[338,340,344,346,349,350],{"type":37,"value":339},"もう少し時間をください ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":341,"children":343},{"src":342,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_40be26e60a\u002Fyue_40be26e60a.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":345},"。お願いします。 ",{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":347,"children":348},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":351,"children":352},{},[353],{"type":37,"value":354},"Please give me a little more time—please.",{"type":32,"tag":77,"props":356,"children":358},{"id":357},"casual-friendly-お願い-頼む-ちょうだい",[359],{"type":37,"value":360},"Casual \u002F Friendly: お願い, 頼む, ちょうだい",{"type":32,"tag":84,"props":362,"children":367},{"src":363,"width":364,"height":365,"alt":366},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fdave_lowe_Xx8_Iaah_BC_Os_unsplash_0711e1a5c6\u002Fdave_lowe_Xx8_Iaah_BC_Os_unsplash_0711e1a5c6.jpg",6240,4160,"A gate with a 'please shut the gate' sign on (Unsplash: Dave Lowe)",[],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":369,"children":370},{},[371,373,378,380,385,387,392],{"type":37,"value":372},"Not every situation calls for formal politeness. With close friends, family, or peers, Japanese often uses more relaxed expressions of “please.” Some of these include ",{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":374,"children":375},{},[376],{"type":37,"value":377},"お願い (onegai)",{"type":37,"value":379},", ",{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":381,"children":382},{},[383],{"type":37,"value":384},"頼む (tanomu)",{"type":37,"value":386},", or even ",{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":388,"children":389},{},[390],{"type":37,"value":391},"ちょうだい (chodai)",{"type":37,"value":75},{"type":32,"tag":125,"props":394,"children":395},{},[396,405,414],{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":397,"children":398},{},[399,403],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":400,"children":401},{},[402],{"type":37,"value":377},{"type":37,"value":404},"—simply the noun “request.” When used alone, it becomes a casual “please,” similar to “please?” or “come on, please.”",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":406,"children":407},{},[408,412],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":409,"children":410},{},[411],{"type":37,"value":384},{"type":37,"value":413},"—originally a verb meaning “to ask\u002Frequest,” but in casual speech it often doubles as “please” in a more colloquial or sometimes even pleading tone.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":415,"children":416},{},[417,421],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":418,"children":419},{},[420],{"type":37,"value":391},{"type":37,"value":422},"—another informal option, often used by women (though not exclusively), perhaps sounding softer or more familiar.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":424,"children":425},{},[426],{"type":37,"value":427},"These are generally not appropriate in formal or business settings but are common among friends or in relaxed everyday contexts.",{"type":32,"tag":172,"props":429,"children":431},{"id":430},"examples-2",[432],{"type":37,"value":193},{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":434,"children":435},{},[436,438,442,444,447,448],{"type":37,"value":437},"お願い！手伝って ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":439,"children":441},{"src":440,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_82695aa51b\u002Fyue_82695aa51b.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":443},"！ ",{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":445,"children":446},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":449,"children":450},{},[451],{"type":37,"value":452},"Please! Help me!",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":454,"children":455},{},[456,458,462,463,466,467],{"type":37,"value":457},"これ、ちょうだい ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":459,"children":461},{"src":460,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_5948f8d257\u002Fyue_5948f8d257.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":443},{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":464,"children":465},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":468,"children":469},{},[470],{"type":37,"value":471},"Please give me this!",{"type":32,"tag":77,"props":473,"children":475},{"id":474},"offering-or-inviting-どうぞ-dozo",[476],{"type":37,"value":477},"Offering or Inviting: どうぞ (dozo)",{"type":32,"tag":84,"props":479,"children":484},{"src":480,"width":481,"height":482,"alt":483},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fpexels_mh92_11746353_e8cd6051db\u002Fpexels_mh92_11746353_e8cd6051db.jpg",6720,4480,"A girl praying at a shrine (Pexels: Nguyen Hung)",[],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":486,"children":487},{},[488],{"type":37,"value":489},"Not all “pleases” are about requesting something. Sometimes you want to invite someone to take something, enter, sit—in those cases Japanese often uses どうぞ (dozo). It’s less about asking and more about giving permission or offering.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":491,"children":492},{},[493],{"type":37,"value":494},"Because どうぞ is more about graciousness and hospitality, it’s often used by the person offering something, rather than the person requesting.",{"type":32,"tag":172,"props":496,"children":498},{"id":497},"examples-3",[499],{"type":37,"value":193},{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":501,"children":502},{},[503,505,509,510,513,514],{"type":37,"value":504},"会議室にどうぞお入りください ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":506,"children":508},{"src":507,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_d5eb903207\u002Fyue_d5eb903207.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":206},{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":511,"children":512},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":515,"children":516},{},[517],{"type":37,"value":518},"Please (go ahead and) enter the meeting room.",{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":520,"children":521},{},[522,524,528,529,532,533],{"type":37,"value":523},"どうぞご自由にお使いください ",{"type":32,"tag":200,"props":525,"children":527},{"src":526,":type":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fyue_ce61416189\u002Fyue_ce61416189.mp3",[],{"type":37,"value":206},{"type":32,"tag":208,"props":530,"children":531},{},[],{"type":37,"value":163},{"type":32,"tag":213,"props":534,"children":535},{},[536],{"type":37,"value":537},"Please feel free to use it (as you like).",{"type":32,"tag":77,"props":539,"children":541},{"id":540},"very-formal-humble-traditional-お願いいたします-お願い申し上げます-どうか-douka",[542],{"type":37,"value":543},"Very Formal \u002F Humble \u002F Traditional: お願いいたします, お願い申し上げます, どうか (douka)",{"type":32,"tag":84,"props":545,"children":550},{"src":546,"width":547,"height":548,"alt":549},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fnhi_ly_M_Lg_S9f7x9t_Q_unsplash_014791e6f1\u002Fnhi_ly_M_Lg_S9f7x9t_Q_unsplash_014791e6f1.jpg",5472,3648,"Ema signs at a Japanese temple (Unsplash: Nhi Ly)",[],{"type":32,"tag":33,"props":552,"children":553},{},[554],{"type":37,"value":555},"In some situations—especially very polite business letters, formal emails, or when you want to show deep respect or humility—you might step up the level of politeness even beyond お願いします. Traditional or more “business-keigo” versions exist.",{"type":32,"tag":125,"props":557,"children":558},{},[559,569,579],{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":560,"children":561},{},[562,567],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":563,"children":564},{},[565],{"type":37,"value":566},"お願い いたします (onegai itashimasu)",{"type":37,"value":568},"—“I humbly request.” A bit more formal than お願いします.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":570,"children":571},{},[572,577],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":573,"children":574},{},[575],{"type":37,"value":576},"お願い申し上げます (onegai moshiagemasu)",{"type":37,"value":578},"—very formal, humble—suitable for letters, formal requests, or when talking to someone of significantly higher status.",{"type":32,"tag":129,"props":580,"children":581},{},[582,587],{"type":32,"tag":157,"props":583,"children":584},{},[585],{"type":37,"value":586},"どうか (doka)",{"type":37,"value":588},"—a somewhat old-fashioned way to appeal or plead, often with sincerity or gravity (almost like “please, I beg 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