KaiwaGoAsking for Favors in Japanese
7 Japanese phrases for asking for favors, for example 急いでください (Please hurry).
Asking for a favour in Japanese usually uses the ～てください form or softer forms like ～てもらえませんか. These phrases help you ask someone to do something politely, from asking a group to gather to asking a stranger to wait or to hurry. The polite level you choose depends on who you are asking: a friend, a colleague or a customer.
Hands-free listening
Play every phrase in order with its English meaning between the repeats. Keep the page open and listen while you do something else.
| Japanese | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| あなたにお願いしたいことがあるのですが | There is something I'd like to ask you. | |
| 集まってください | Please gather together. | |
| 急いでください | Please hurry. | |
| それには触らないでください | Please don't touch that. | |
| 取っていただけますか | Could you get that for me? | |
| 見せていただけますか | Could you show it to me? | |
| 手伝っていただけますか | Could you give me a hand? |
Usage notes
- ～てください is a polite request; ～てくださいませんか is softer.
- Start with すみませんが… to make a request less direct.
- お願いします on its own means “please” when the request is clear.
- Thank the person afterwards with ありがとうございました, or with すみません if the favour took them some effort; a short bow makes it warmer.
FAQ
How do you say please in Japanese?
お願いします (onegai shimasu) when asking for something or someone’s help, ください (kudasai) after a noun or a verb in the て form: 水をください, 待ってください.
How do you make a request more polite?
Use a question instead of an order: ～てくださいませんか or ～ていただけませんか, and start with すみませんが or 恐れ入りますが.