How to Say ‘Could you please give it back?’ in Japanese
返していただけますか。
kaeshi te itadake masu ka
[kah-EH-shee te i-ta-da-ke mahs kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Attach 〜ていただけますか to a verb for a very polite request: 待っていただけますか "Could you please wait?".
Phrase Breakdown
返して
kaeshi te
return (it)
This is the te-form of 返す (kaesu, 'to give back'). It connects to the polite request that follows.
本を返してください。
Please return the book.
Words in this phrase
返し
kaeshi
[kah-EH-shee]
return; give back
Stem of 返す, 'to give something back to someone'.
本を返します。
I will return the book.
て
te
[te]
te-form ending
Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.
ドアが開いて、入ります。
The door opens, and then I go in.
いただけますか。
itadake masu ka
could you please...?
A very polite request ending. Literally it means 'could I receive (the favor)?'
教えていただけますか。
Could you please tell me?
Words in this phrase
いただけ
itadake
[i-ta-da-ke]
could you please
Respectfully asks someone to do something.
手伝っていただけますか。
Could you help me?
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
か
ka
[kah]
question particle
Turns a sentence into a question. In polite speech, か is standard for asking questions in interviews.
日本語は勉強していますか。
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