How to Say ‘Please.’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-gahy shee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is a super useful polite phrase meaning "please" or "I’d like that." It is softer and more natural than direct commands.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, [お願いします] is used everywhere: ordering food, asking favors, starting lessons, and even ending introductions.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific/polite prefix
A polite prefix used in set expressions like requests.
お願いしますのおは、丁寧な言い方にします。
The o in onegaishimasu makes it a polite expression.
願い
negai
[neh-gahy]
request; favor
The core noun/verb stem related to asking for something politely.
願いをこめて、お願いしますと言います。
With a request in mind, you say onegaishimasu.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of the verb します, used in many polite set phrases.
お願いしますのしは、動作を表す部分です。
The shi in onegaishimasu is the part that expresses the action.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending used in many Japanese sentences.
店でお願いしますと言うとき、ますが丁寧さを出します。
When you say onegaishimasu at a restaurant, masu adds politeness.
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