How to Say ‘Could you (polite request)?’ in Japanese
お願いできますか。
o negai deki masu ka
[oh neh-gah-ee deh-kee mahss kah]
💬 Usage Tip: A very polite request starter. Literally “Can I ask (you)?” You can attach a topic: [土曜日もお願いできますか] = “Could I ask for Saturdays too?”
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, “soft requests” are preferred, especially at work. This phrase is common with managers and coworkers.
Phrase Breakdown
お願い
o negai
a request; favor (polite)
Noun form of お願いする. Used to make polite requests. Often followed by します/できますか.
お願いがあるんですが。
I have a favor to ask.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
(honorific prefix) o-
Polite prefix used in set phrases. In お願いできますか, it keeps the request respectful.
土日の勤務をおお願いできますか。
Could you please (let me) work on weekends?
願い
negai
[neh-gah-ee]
request; favor (negai)
In お願いできますか, it means “a favor/request.” A standard polite interview phrase.
シフトの確認をお願いできますか。
Could I ask you to confirm the shifts?
できます
deki masu
can do; be able to
Polite form of できる (can do). With a request it softens the tone: お願いできますか = “Could you…?/May I ask…?”
英語ができます。
I can speak English.
Words in this phrase
でき
deki
[deh-kee]
can do; be able to (stem)
Stem of できる. In お願いできますか, it forms “Could you…?” / “May I…?” politely.
九時から五時まででお願いできますか。
Could it be from nine to five, please?
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending (-masu)
Makes the request polite in an interview setting (できます).
土曜日の午前中でお願いできますか。
Could it be Saturday morning, please?
か
ka
[kah]
(question particle)
Ends the sentence as a polite question: お願いできますか = “Could you…?”
少し早めにお願いできますか。
Could you (schedule it) a little earlier?
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