How to Say ‘Please’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-guy shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] often means more than plain [please] — it can mean [that's what I want], [go ahead with that], or [please handle this]. In shops it's a very useful all-purpose polite closer after what you're asking for.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
Polite prefix that softens the request.
おねがいしますのさいしょはおです。
The beginning of onegaishimasu is o.
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
request; wish
Core part meaning request or favor in お願いします.
ねがいがあります。
I have a request.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of します, the polite verb do.
しますのなかにしがあります。
There is shi inside shimasu.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
Polite ending used in requests and formal speech.
おねがいしますはていねいです。
Onegaishimasu is polite.
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