How to Say ‘Please (polite request)’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-guy shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is the polite “please.” Combine with [よろしく] to make a fixed, super-useful phrase.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In customer service and interviews, [お願いします] sounds more professional than casual requests.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix (polite)
お is added to some words to make them more polite (honorific). In interviews, polite forms are preferred.
面接の最後にお願いしますと言います。
At the end of the interview, I say “please/thank you.”
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
request; favor (stem of 願う)
願い is the noun/stem meaning “request/wish.” In お願いします, it forms the polite phrase “please” / “I ask for your favor.”
ご確認の願いがあります。
I have a request for confirmation.
し
shi
[shee]
do (verb stem of する)
し is the stem of する (“to do”). Combined with ます, it becomes します (polite “do”). In お願いします, it makes a polite request.
説明しやすいように話します。
I speak so that it’s easy to explain.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
ます makes a verb polite. Interview language commonly uses ます/です style to sound respectful.
毎日記録を付けます。
I keep records every day.
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