How to Say ‘Please.’ in Japanese
お願いします。
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-gai]
🇯🇵 In Japan: [お願いします。] is very flexible in service situations: it can mean 'yes, please,' 'that one, please,' or politely handing the interaction back to staff. In Japan, people often use it where English would use several different phrases.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix that makes the expression sound more respectful.
おをつけると、ことばがていねいになります。
Adding お makes the expression more polite.
願い
negai
[neh-gai]
request / wish
From 願い, meaning a wish or request; part of the polite phrase お願いします.
おねがいのきもちで願いしますといいます。
With a feeling of request, you say onegai shimasu.
し
shi
ます
masu
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