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How to Say ‘But please don't photograph the customers.’ in Japanese

でも、お客さんは撮らないでくださいね。

de mo o kyaku san wa tora nai de kudasai ne

[deh moh o KYAH-koo san wah toh-RAH nai deh kudasai neh]

Phrase Breakdown

でも、お客さんは

de mo o kyaku san wa

but, as for the customers

でも means 'but'. Pause briefly at the comma. は is read 'wa' and marks the topic.

Example

でも、お客さんは少ないです。

But there are few customers.

Words in this phrase

で

[deh]

but (part of でも)

First part of でも, a conjunction meaning 'but; however' at the start of a sentence.

Example

でも、時間がありません。

But I don't have time.

も

[moh]

but (part of でも)

Second part of でも, which together means 'but; however'.

Example

でも、大丈夫です。

But it's okay.

お

[o]

polite prefix

Prefix added for politeness.

Example

お名前は？

What is your name?

客

kyaku

[KYAH-koo]

customer; guest

Kanji for customer or visitor; with お and さん it becomes the polite word for customers.

Example

お客さんが来ました。

A customer came.

さん

san

[san]

Mr.; Ms.; polite suffix

A polite suffix added to a person's name or role.

Example

お医者さんが来ました。

The doctor came.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

撮らないで

tora nai de

don't take (photos of)

The negative ～ないで form, used for asking someone not to do something.

Example

顔は撮らないでください。

Please don't photograph faces.

Words in this phrase

撮ら

tora

[toh-RAH]

take (photo; negative stem)

Form of 撮る used before ない to make the negative.

Example

ここでは写真を撮らない。

I don't take photos here.

ない

nai

[nai]

not

Indicates negation or absence.

Example

問題はない。

There is no problem.

で

[deh]

(te-form connector)

Part of the te-form; with iru it shows an ongoing state.

Example

ここに住んでいます。

I live here.

くださいね。

kudasai ne

please, okay?

A polite request softened with ね.

Example

触らないでくださいね。

Please don't touch, okay?

Words in this phrase

ください

kudasai

[kudasai]

please (do)

Used to make a polite request.

Example

手伝ってください。

Please help me.

ね

[neh]

okay?; right?

Adds softness and care, often used when comforting someone.

Example

今日はもう休もうね。

Let's rest for today now, okay?

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