How to Say ‘The onigiri, please.’ in Japanese
おにぎりをお願いします。
onigiri o o negai shi masu
[oh-nee-ghee-ree oh oh neh-gai shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: This uses [を] to mark [おにぎり] as the item you want. Very natural for ordering or clarifying.
🇯🇵 In Japan: If buying several things but only one should be heated, this kind of phrase is especially useful.
Phrase Breakdown
おにぎり
onigiri
[oh-nee-ghee-ree]
rice ball
The item being requested in this sentence.
おにぎりをお願いしますと注文します。
I order by saying, 'A rice ball, please.'
を
o
[oh]
object marker
Marks rice ball as the thing being requested.
おにぎりをお願いしますのをは目的を示します。
The 'o' in onigiri o onegaishimasu marks the object.
お願いします
o negai shi masu
please; I'd like to order/request this
Very polite way to ask for something in a shop or restaurant.
これをお願いします。
This one, please.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix in the expression onegaishimasu.
お願いしますのおは丁寧です。
The 'o' in onegaishimasu is polite.
願い
negai
[neh-gai]
request, wish
The main request-related part inside onegaishimasu.
お願いしますの願いはお願いの意味です。
The 'negai' in onegaishimasu carries the meaning of request.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of the fixed polite request phrase.
お願いしますのしを練習します。
I practice the 'shi' in onegaishimasu.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite ending
Makes the request sound polite and natural.
お願いしますのますは大切です。
The 'masu' in onegaishimasu is important.
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