How to Say ‘If possible, please.’ in Japanese
できれば、お願いします。
dekire ba o negai shi masu
[deh-kee-reh bah oh neh-guy shee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [できれば] softens what comes next, like "if possible." It's a useful way to make seating requests sound polite without needing a long sentence.
Phrase Breakdown
できれば
dekire ba
if possible; if you can
Used to make a request softer and more polite.
できれば明日にしてください。
If possible, please make it tomorrow.
Words in this phrase
できれ
dekire
[deh-kee-reh]
if possible (stem part)
From できる, this part helps form a soft request meaning 'if possible.'
できれば、お願いします。窓側だとうれしいです。
If possible, please. I would be happy with a window seat.
ば
ba
[bah]
if; when
Conditional ending that completes the idea 'if possible.'
空いていれば、できれば、お願いします。
If it is available, if possible, please.
お願いします
o negai shi masu
please; I’d appreciate it
A very common polite request phrase.
水をお願いします。
Water, please.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
Polite prefix used as part of お願いします.
できれば、お願いします。と丁寧に言いました。
I politely said, 'If possible, please.'
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
request; favor
Means a request. In this expression, it is part of a polite 'please.'
できれば、お願いします。という言い方は柔らかいです。
The expression 'If possible, please' sounds soft and polite.
し
shi
[shee]
do (humble/polite stem)
Part of the polite request expression お願いします.
できれば、お願いします。とスタッフに伝えました。
I told the staff, 'If possible, please.'
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
Adds politeness to the request, suitable for restaurant reservations.
できれば、お願いします。はとても自然な表現です。
'If possible, please' is a very natural expression.
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