Invite, Request, and Consult in Japanese!
\ Learn Useful Expressions for Everyday Communication /
In daily conversations, being able to invite someone, ask for a favor, or consult about something is essential. Depending on the situation and relationship, adjusting your tone and phrasing can lead to smoother and more effective communication. In this lesson, you’ll learn natural and useful Japanese phrases for inviting, requesting, and asking for advice, so you can feel more confident using them in real-life situations.
Learning Tips
- Adjust the level of politeness depending on the situation.
- Use casual, polite, or formal expressions based on your relationship with the listener (e.g., friend, coworker, teacher).
- Use softening words to make your message more natural.
- In Japanese, phrases like “chotto” (a little), “yokattara” (if you’d like), or “~n desu ga” (soft explanatory tone) help make requests or invitations sound more polite and considerate.
- Pay attention to the listener’s reaction and adjust your tone.
- If your message isn’t understood right away, try repeating it gently or rephrasing with more clarity and kindness.
1. Basic Expressions of Invitation
- 〇〇しませんか？
- In Japanese, invitations are often expressed in a soft and polite manner. By using the negative question form “〜しませんか？” (won’t you ~?), the speaker avoids sounding too pushy and creates a comfortable space for the other person to decline if they wish. In this way, Japanese emphasizes showing respect for the other person’s feelings and situation when making requests or invitations.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 一緒に行きませんか？Issho ni ikimasenka? | Would you like to go with me? |
| 映画を見に行きませんか？Eiga wo mini ikimasenka? | Would you like to go see a movie? |
| ランチしませんか？Lanchi shimasenka? | Would you like to go for lunch? |
| 今度、飲みに行きませんか？Kondo, nomi ni ikimasenka? | Would you like to go out for a drink sometime? |
| 良かったら、カフェに行きませんか？Yokattara, café ni ikimasenka? | f you’d like, would you like to go to a café? |
2. Basic Expressions of Request
- 〇〇してもらえませんか？
- Being polite and considerate is important when asking someone to do something. The phrase “〇〇してもらえませんか？” means “Could you please do 〇〇 for me?” and is a more polite and gentle way of making a request than “〜してくれますか？” This kind of indirect and courteous expression plays an important role in smooth communication and maintaining good relationships in Japanese culture.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 手伝ってもらえませんか？Tetsudatte moraemasenka? | Could you help me? |
| お願いできませんか？Onegai dekimasenka? | Could you tell me how to get to the station? |
| 少し待ってもらえませんか？Sukoshi matte moraemasenka? | Could you wait just a moment? |
| 写真を撮ってもらえませんか？Shashin wo totte moraemasenka? | Could you take a picture for me? |
| もう少しゆっくり話してもらえませんか？Mousukoshi yukkuri hanashite moraemasenka? | Could you speak a little more slowly? |
3. Basic Expressions of Asking for Advice
- そうだんがあります
- In Japanese culture, bringing up a personal or serious topic often begins with a soft approach. The phrase “相談があります” means “There’s something I’d like to talk with you about…” This expression shows that you’re being careful and respectful when asking for someone’s time or advice.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 相談があります。Soudan ga arimasu. | There’s something I’d like to talk to you about |
| お話したいことがあります。Ohanashi shitai koto ga arimasu. | I have something I’d like to discuss with you. |
| 悩んでいることがあります。Nayandeiru koto ga arimasu. | I’m sorry for the trouble I caused. |
| アドバイスをもらえませんか？Advise wo moraemasenka? | I’ve been struggling with something. |
| 少しお時間いいですか？Sukoshi ohikan iidesuka? | Could I have a moment? |
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