How to Say ‘Please tell me.’ in Japanese
教えてください
oshie te kudasai
[oh-sheh teh koo-dah-sigh]
💬 Usage Tip: [教えてください] = “Please tell me.” If you want extra softness, you can say [教えていただけますか].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Teachers may ask this to fill in the attendance system. Giving concise answers is appreciated in busy morning call times.
Phrase Breakdown
教え
oshie
[oh-sheh]
tell (me); teach (me) (stem)
Stem of 教える used before て-form: 教え + てください. In calls, it’s a polite request for information.
欠席の理由を教えてください。
Please tell me the reason for the absence.
て
te
[teh]
-te form connector/request marker
て links to ください to make a polite request: 〜てください = “please do …”.
もう一度言ってください。
Please say it one more time.
ください
kudasai
[koo-dah-sigh]
please (do)
Polite request word used after 〜て: 〜てください “please do …”. Commonly used by teachers/school office staff.
連絡帳に書いてください。
Please write it in the communication notebook.
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