How to Say ‘Please / I'd like to order’ in Japanese
お願いします。
o negai shi masu
[o negai shi masu]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is extremely common in shops and sounds natural for ordering. In cafés, people often just say the item plus [お願いします。] rather than a full sentence.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[o]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix added to make an expression sound more respectful.
おお願いしますとは言いませんが、お茶はよく使います。
We do not say just 'o onegaishimasu,' but 'o' is often used in words like tea.
願い
negai
[negai]
wish; request
The core noun/verb stem in お願いします, expressing a request or favor.
願いを一つ聞いてください。
Please hear one wish of mine.
し
shi
[shi]
do
The stem of する, used to form many verb expressions including polite requests.
お願いしますのしはするの形です。
The 'shi' in onegaishimasu is a form of suru.
ます
masu
[masu]
polite verb ending
A polite ending used with verbs in everyday formal speech.
朝、コーヒーを飲みます。
I drink coffee in the morning.
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