Speakable Japanese

How to Say "Please Do" in Japanese: Polite Requests (...-te kudasai)

Hello! In the previous lesson, you learned to order things in a store using 「〜をください」. In this lesson, we will take another step in communicating with people and master how to ask for an 'action'—「〜てください」.
Once you learn to use this expression, you can ask others to do things for you, such as 'Please take a picture' or 'Please write your name,' and your world will become richer and wider thanks to the help of those around you.

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to politely ask your conversation partner to perform an action using the verb's 'te-form' and 「〜てください」 (...-te kudasai)!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used in real situations. Pay attention to how Chloe and Kenji make polite requests.

👩🏻
Chloe

すみません、この写真を撮ってください。

(Sumimasen, kono shashin o totte kudasai.)

👨🏻
Kenji

はい、いいですよ。どうぞ。

(Hai, ii desu yo. Douzo.)

💡

Did you notice?

To construct '〜てください', you need to convert the verb into the so-called 'te-form (te-kei)'. This is a very convenient form for connecting verbs with other words. You don't need to memorize everything perfectly right now. Just understand that it's a 'form ending in て (te) or で (de)' and practice with the examples!

Step 2 The Pattern

To ask someone to do something, we combine the te-form of a verb with kudasai.

Basic Chunk

てください。

( kudasai.)

💡 Key Point: Making a Polite Request

When you want to politely ask someone to do something, you attach 「ください」 (kudasai) to the te-form of a verb. It translates to 'Please (do)...' in English and is essential for daily interactions.

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Here are three incredibly useful requests to master. Read these out loud!

  • To wait 待って (matte)

    ちょっと 待ってください。

    (Chotto matte kudasai.)

  • To take (a photo) 撮って (totte)

    写真を 撮ってください。

    (Shashin o totte kudasai.)

  • To write 書いて (kaite)

    ここに名前を 書いてください。

    (Koko ni namae o kaite kudasai.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

This is the most important step! Imagine a situation where you want to ask someone for something. Use the cheat sheet below to build your own requests.

👉 すみません、 NOUN を TE-FORM ください。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Useful Te-Forms

  • みて mite (look)
  • おしえて oshiete (teach/tell)
  • かして kashite (lend)
  • てつだって tetsudatte (help)

Example Nouns

  • これ kore (this)
  • しお shio (salt)
  • メニュー menyu- (menu)
  • ドア doa (door)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

In real life, you'll also need to say "Please do NOT..." and speak casually with friends. Here’s a quick guide to leveling up your conversation!

🙅‍♀️ 1. Please DON'T... (Negative)

Please don't look

見 ないでください。

(Minaide kudasai.)

Please don't go

行か ないでください。

(Ikanaide kudasai.)

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual (Friends)

Look!

見て！

(Mite!)

Wait!

待って！

(Matte!)

Summary Lesson Review

Polite Action Requests: Attach ください (kudasai) to the te-form of a verb to politely ask someone to do something.

The Te-Form: The te-form (e.g., 待って matte, 見て mite) is essential for connecting verbs with requests or other grammar structures.

Casual Tone: When speaking with friends, just drop "kudasai" and use the te-form alone (e.g., "Mite!").

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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