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How to Say ‘Could I leave a message?’ in Japanese

伝言をお願いできますか。

dengon o o negai deki masu ka

[DEN-gohn wo oh neh-guy deki masu kah]

💬 Usage Tip: 〜をお願いできますか is a handy polite request: "could I ask for ~?" You can swap in other things, as in 確認をお願いできますか "could you check?"

Phrase Breakdown

伝言を

dengon o

a message (object)

伝言 (dengon) means 'message'. を marks the object and is read 'o'.

Example

伝言を残します。

I'll leave a message.

Words in this phrase

伝言

dengon

[DEN-gohn]

message

A message left for someone, often by phone.

Example

伝言はありますか。

Are there any messages?

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

お願いできますか。

o negai deki masu ka

could I ask you (to take it)?

A polite request: 'onegai dekimasu ka'. The 'su' sounds very light.

Example

確認をお願いできますか。

Could you check it for me?

Words in this phrase

お

[oh]

honorific prefix used in polite expressions

The polite prefix お makes the following word sound more courteous.

Example

お願いできますか。

Could you please do that?

願い

negai

[neh-guy]

request; favor

願い refers to a wish or request, and in お願い it forms a polite request expression.

Example

お願いがあります。

I have a request.

でき

deki

[deki]

can do; be able to

Potential form element showing ability or possibility, from できる.

Example

今後も相談できたらうれしいです。

I would be happy if we could consult in the future too.

ます

masu

[masu]

polite form

Adds politeness to verbs.

Example

コーヒーをくださいませ。

Please give me a coffee.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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