How to Say ‘Please (requesting)’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-guy shee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: Put the thing you want in front of it to make a polite request: コーヒーお願いします "coffee, please". It works for things and actions alike.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
request; favor
願い refers to a wish or request, and in お願い it forms a polite request expression.
お願いがあります。
I have a request.
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.
注文をお願いし、ます。
I would like to place the order, please.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
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