How to Say ‘To request / to ask (a favor)’ in Japanese
お願いする
o negai suru
[oh neh-gah-ee soo-roo]
💬 Usage Tip: Core “request” verb. For repairs, you’ll often hear: [修理をお願いします] (“Please arrange a repair”).
🇯🇵 In Japan: [お願いします] is a magic polite phrase in Japan—used constantly for bookings, forms, and service requests.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
polite prefix (adds politeness)
お is added to certain words to make them more polite (e.g., 願い → お願い). Common in requests to a landlord/management.
おお願いすることがあるので、電話してもいいですか。
I have something to ask, so may I call you?
願い
negai
[neh-gah-ee]
request / favor
願い means “request/wish.” In お願いする, it becomes “to request/ask a favor,” very useful for repair requests.
お湯が出ないので、お願いをしてもいいですか。
The hot water isn’t working, so may I make a request?
する
suru
[soo-roo]
to do (verb)
する attaches to nouns to make a verb. お願いする = “to ask/request.”
修理の手配をお願いするつもりです。
I intend to request that they arrange the repair.
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