How to Say ‘Please.’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-gai shee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is a polite all-purpose request word. It can mean “please,” “I’d like that,” or “I’m asking for this.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: This word works in so many situations that it is almost a cheat code for polite Japanese.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to the request expression お願いします.
お願いしますと丁寧です。
Saying onegaishimasu is polite.
願い
negai
[neh-gai]
request; favor
願い comes from the idea of a wish or request and forms part of お願いします.
願いをこめて注文します。
I order with a request in mind.
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
し is the stem of する, used here in the polite expression お願いします.
よろしくお願いし、ます。
I humbly ask for your favor.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite non-past ending
ます makes the expression polite and suitable for customers and service staff.
水をお願いし、ます。
Water, please.
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