How to Say ‘Please’ in Japanese
お願いします
o negai shi masu
[oh neh-gah-ee shee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is the polite go-to for requests. Pair it with nouns or set phrases to sound professional.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In a kitchen, polite request language matters even during busy prep. You can be fast and still be respectful.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific/polite prefix
A polite prefix that makes the expression sound more respectful.
ていねいに言うために、おをつけます。
To say it politely, you add o.
願い
negai
[neh-gah-ee]
request; wish
Comes from the idea of a wish or request in polite workplace language.
シェフへのたのみで、願いの気もちが入ります。
In a request to the chef, the feeling of a wish/request is included.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of the verb suru, used in polite set phrases.
ていねいなことばでは、しが入ることがあります。
In polite expressions, shi is sometimes included.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
Makes the whole request polite and appropriate for work.
せつめいのあとに、ますでていねいにしめます。
After an explanation, you end politely with -masu.
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