How to Say ‘Please’ 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] means "please" or "I ask/request." It often combines with other words to make polite expressions.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase appears everywhere in Japan, from introductions to ordering food. It is one of the MVPs of polite Japanese.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix that makes the expression more respectful.
お 名前を 教えてください。
Please tell me your name.
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
wish / request
From the verb 願う, related to asking or wishing.
願い が あります。
I have a wish.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of します, the polite form of "to do."
し ます と 言います。
I say "shimasu."
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A common polite ending for verbs.
行きます、読みます、ます は 丁寧です。
Ikimasu and yomimasu—"masu" is polite.
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