How to Say ‘Please.’ in Japanese
お願いします。
o negai shi masu
[o ne-gai shi mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is one of the most useful phrases in Japanese. It can mean “please,” “I request this,” or even “thanks in advance.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: At offices, [お願いします] is a polite all-rounder when handing over documents, asking for help, or confirming a request.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[o]
honorific prefix
Polite prefix used in set expressions like お願いします.
お名前をお願いします。
Your name, please.
願い
negai
[ne-gai]
request; favor
From 願い, related to asking or requesting something politely.
確認をお願いしました。
I requested confirmation.
し
shi
[shi]
do
Part of する, often used in polite set phrases.
お願いします。
Please.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
Adds politeness to the verb phrase.
よろしくお願いします。
Thank you in advance.
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