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How do you politely make a request in Japanese? The way you ask for something depends on the situation—casual requests among friends, polite requests in business settings, or asking for help in public places.

This page provides an overview of basic request phrases, more polite expressions, situation-based examples, and even how to make a request via email or message!

Key Takeaways

This page will help you learn how to make requests in Japanese politely and appropriately. Understanding these phrases will improve your communication in daily life and professional settings.

• Different levels of politeness exist for making requests.
  “〜してくれる？ (〜shite kureru?)” is casual, “〜してもらえますか？ (〜shite moraemasu ka?)” is polite, and “〜していただけますか？ (〜shite itadakemasu ka?)” is very formal.
• Adding softening words makes requests more polite.
  Words like “すみませんが (Sumimasen ga)” (Excuse me, but…) or “恐れ入りますが (Osoreirimasu ga)” (I’m sorry to trouble you, but…) can make your request sound more respectful.
• Tone and intonation affect the politeness of a request.
  A gentle tone and slightly rising intonation make requests sound more natural and polite.
• Context matters when making a request.
  In formal situations, indirect expressions like “〜していただけると助かります (〜shite itadakeru to tasukarimasu)” (It would be helpful if you could…) are commonly used.
• There are natural ways to respond to a request.
  Common replies include “はい、もちろんです (Hai, mochiron desu)” (Yes, of course) and “申し訳ありませんが、できません (Moushiwake arimasen ga, dekimasen)” (I’m sorry, but I can’t).

Mastering these request phrases will help you navigate various social and professional situations smoothly!

Basic Request Phrases

“お願いします” is a general phrase for making a request.
“ください” is used when asking for things or ordering.
“～てください” is a standard way to ask someone to do something.

Polite Request Expressions

“～ていただけますか？” is a polite way to make a request.
“恐れ入りますが” and “申し訳ありませんが” are often used in business settings.

Casual Request Expressions

Short phrases are commonly used in casual conversations among friends and family.
“～てくれる？” is a common way to ask for help casually.

Stronger Requests & Pleading Expressions

“どうかお願いします” expresses a strong request or plea.
These phrases are often used in personal situations rather than in business settings.

How to Respond to a Request

“いいですよ” and “わかりました” are positive responses.
“申し訳ありませんが” or “ちょっと難しいです” are polite ways to decline a request.

Start using popular Japanese phrases today!

When making a request in Japanese, choosing the right phrase for the situation is important. Use polite expressions in business settings and casual phrases with friends and family.

By practicing the phrases introduced in this guide, you’ll be able to make natural requests in Japanese. Try using them in real-life conversations!