How to Say ‘Please / I'd like this’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-gai shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is a very handy polite phrase. It can mean "please" or "I'd like it," depending on the situation.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Using [お願いします] in shops sounds soft and friendly—like a magic politeness button.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix often added to make expressions sound more respectful.
おお願いしますは丁寧な言い方です。
The 'o' in onegaishimasu makes it polite.
願い
negai
[neh-gai]
request, wish
This part comes from the verb meaning to wish or request.
願いをこめてお願いしますと言います。
You say onegaishimasu with a request in mind.
します
shi masu
do
The polite form of 'to do'; together with お願い, it makes a polite request: 'please'.
お願いします。
Please.
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do
This is the stem of the verb suru, used in many expressions.
しは動詞の一部です。
'Shi' is part of a verb form.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
A polite verb ending used in standard formal speech.
ますをつけると丁寧です。
Adding masu makes it polite.
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