How to Say ‘Please / thank you in advance’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-gahy shee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is super useful. It can mean “please,” “I’m asking for your help,” or “thank you in advance,” depending on context.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase is a politeness powerhouse in Japan and appears everywhere from shops to clinics to massage salons.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix added to make an expression more respectful.
お名前をお願いします。
May I have your name, please?
願い
negai
[neh-gahy]
request; wish
From 願い, meaning a wish or request. In お願いします, it helps form a polite request.
お願いがあります。
I have a request.
し
shi
[shee]
do
From the verb する, “to do.” Here it is part of します, the polite form.
確認し ます。
I will check.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A polite ending used with verbs in non-past form.
少し待ちます。
I will wait a little.
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