How do you say "Please (polite request)." in Japanese?

"Please (polite request)." in Japanese is "お願いします". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Please (polite request).’ in Japanese

Q: What does "お願いします" mean in English?

"お願いします" means "Please (polite request)." in English. Usage tip: [お願いします] is a super-useful “please” for requests, favors, and services. It often implies “I’m counting on you.”

お願いします

o negai shi masu

[oh neh-gah-ee shee mahss]

💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is a super-useful “please” for requests, favors, and services. It often implies “I’m counting on you.”

🇯🇵 In Japan: You’ll hear it in shops and restaurants too (e.g., when ordering). It’s a polite way to ask without sounding demanding.

Phrase Breakdown

お

[oh]

(polite prefix)

お is an honorific prefix that makes the following word/pattern more polite (common with requests and set phrases).

Example

おねがいします、助けてください。

Please—help me.

願い

negai

[neh-gah-ee]

wish; request; favor

願い (ねがい) means a wish or request. In お願いします it becomes a polite request: ‘please’.

Example

お願いがあります。

I have a request.

し

shi

[shee]

(part of verb)

し is from する (to do). In お願いします, it forms the polite verb ‘to request/ask’ as a set phrase.

Example

もう一度お願いします。

Please do it one more time.

ます

masu

[mahss]

(polite verb ending)

ます is the polite verb ending used in formal/polite speech (desu/masu style).

Example

少し待ちます。

I will wait a bit.

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