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] is extremely flexible: here it means "please go with that" rather than just a plain "please." You'll hear it after choices like [その時間でお願いします] or [二名でお願いします].
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix attached to the request expression お願いします.
その時間でお願いします。
That time, please.
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
request; favor
From 願い, meaning a wish or request. In this phrase it helps form a polite request.
予約をお願いします。
Please make the reservation.
し
shi
[shee]
do
From する, the verb to do. Here it forms part of the polite request expression.
確認をお願いします。
Please confirm it.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite ending used in formal speech.
席の用意をお願いします。
Please prepare the seating.
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