お願いします
Please
Littéralement: Honorific prefix + Wish/Request + Do
Use `onegaishimasu` whenever you need someone to do something for you politely.
En 15 secondes
- The ultimate polite way to say 'please' in Japan.
- Use it for favors, ordering food, or requesting services.
- It literally means 'I humbly make a request' to someone.
Signification
A polite and versatile way to say 'please' when asking for a favor, a service, or an item. It carries a nuance of 'I'm counting on you' or 'I leave this in your hands.'
Exemples clés
3 sur 7Ordering water at a restaurant
お水を、お願いします。
Water, please.
Texting a close friend for a favor
明日、お願い！
Tomorrow, please!
Meeting a new business partner
よろしくお願いします。
Please treat me well / Nice to meet you.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply rooted in the Japanese concept of 'enryo' (restraint) and mutual dependence. It acknowledges the effort the other person will exert on your behalf, often accompanied by a bow to show humility. In business, it is the essential 'glue' for starting any relationship or project.
The 'Register' Trick
When paying at a convenience store, say 'onegaishimasu' while handing over your money. It acknowledges the clerk's work and makes you sound like a local.
Don't 'Onegai' a Gift
Never use this phrase when giving something. If you say it while handing a gift, it sounds like you're asking the person to take it as a chore! Use 'douzo' instead.
En 15 secondes
- The ultimate polite way to say 'please' in Japan.
- Use it for favors, ordering food, or requesting services.
- It literally means 'I humbly make a request' to someone.
What It Means
Onegaishimasu is the Swiss Army knife of Japanese politeness.
It is your primary way to say "please."
However, it carries more weight than the English word.
When you use it, you are making a request.
You are also showing deep respect for the recipient.
It signals that you are leaving a task in someone's hands.
It’s a warm, essential part of every daily interaction.
Think of it as a polite social bridge between people.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is a total breeze for beginners.
You usually just place a noun before it.
Want some water? Say mizu, onegaishimasu.
Need a menu? Say menyuu, onegaishimasu.
You can also use it with verbs in specific forms.
But for now, sticking to nouns is a pro move.
It makes you sound polite without needing complex grammar.
Just point, name the item, and add the phrase.
It’s like a magic key that opens doors everywhere.
When To Use It
Think of this as your "service industry" best friend.
Use it at a restaurant when the waiter arrives.
Use it in a taxi to tell the driver where to go.
It’s perfect when you ask a stranger for directions.
In the office, use it when submitting a report.
It tells your boss, "Please take care of this."
Even when starting a match in martial arts, you say it.
It sets a tone of mutual respect from the start.
Ordering a pizza at 2 AM? Onegaishimasu is your guy.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful not to sound like a robot with friends.
Using the full phrase with a sibling is weird.
It feels like you’re conducting a business deal over pizza.
For loved ones, use the shortened version, onegai.
Also, don't use it when you are offering something.
If you give a friend a snack, don't say onegaishimasu.
That would sound like you're asking them to eat it!
Use douzo for "here you go" instead.
Cultural Background
Japan is a culture built on "wa" or harmony.
Asking for things can sometimes feel like a burden.
Onegaishimasu softens that burden significantly.
It acknowledges that the other person is doing you a favor.
It’s a way of saying, "I know you're busy, thank you."
Historically, it comes from a place of humble prayer.
Today, it’s the glue that keeps social interactions smooth.
It turns a simple transaction into a respectful exchange.
Common Variations
You will hear many versions of this phrase daily.
Onegai is the cute, casual version for close buddies.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu is the most common professional greeting.
It’s used when meeting someone or starting a project.
Onegai itashimasu is the very formal, "extra polite" version.
You might hear this in high-end department stores.
There is also onegai-shiyasu, which is rough, "cool" slang.
Stick to the standard version until you feel like a local!
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral-to-polite and safe for almost any situation involving a stranger or superior. Avoid using the full version with very close friends to keep from sounding overly formal.
The 'Register' Trick
When paying at a convenience store, say 'onegaishimasu' while handing over your money. It acknowledges the clerk's work and makes you sound like a local.
Don't 'Onegai' a Gift
Never use this phrase when giving something. If you say it while handing a gift, it sounds like you're asking the person to take it as a chore! Use 'douzo' instead.
The Silent Bow
In Japan, the phrase is almost always accompanied by a slight nod or bow. The deeper the request, the deeper the bow.
Exemples
7お水を、お願いします。
Water, please.
A standard, polite way to ask for an item.
明日、お願い！
Tomorrow, please!
Uses the casual 'onegai' suitable for friends.
よろしくお願いします。
Please treat me well / Nice to meet you.
The standard professional greeting to start a relationship.
百万円、お願いします！
One million yen, please!
Using a formal request for an absurd amount creates humor.
もう一度、お願いします。
One more time, please.
A polite way to ask for a repetition of an action.
新宿駅まで、お願いします。
To Shinjuku Station, please.
Standard way to state a destination to a driver.
チャンスを、お願いします。
Please, give me a chance.
Used when the speaker is sincerely pleading for something.
Teste-toi
You are at a cafe and want to order coffee politely.
コーヒー、___。
When ordering an item, 'onegaishimasu' is the standard polite request.
Complete the common professional greeting.
よろしく ___。
'Yoroshiku onegaishimasu' is a set phrase used for introductions and requests.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels of 'Please'
Used with close friends or family.
Onegai!
Standard for daily life and strangers.
Onegaishimasu
Used in business or high-end service.
Onegai itashimasu
Where to use Onegaishimasu
At a Restaurant
Ordering food
In a Taxi
Giving directions
At the Office
Asking for help
New Meeting
Self-introduction
Questions fréquentes
11 questions'Onegaishimasu' is generally more polite and used for services or when the person has a choice. 'Kudasai' is more direct and often used for physical items or following instructions.
You can, but it might sound a bit stiff. It's better to use the shortened version onegai or onegai ne for a more natural, casual vibe.
Only with people you are very close to. If you say just onegai to a waiter or a boss, it will come across as childish or rude.
A small head nod is usually enough for daily situations. For big favors, a deeper bow from the waist shows you really appreciate the help.
Absolutely! Just say Biiru, onegaishimasu. It is the most common and polite way to order anything at a bar or restaurant.
This is a set phrase that roughly means 'Please take care of me' or 'I look forward to working with you.' It is used every time you meet someone new.
Yes, almost every professional Japanese email ends with yoroshiku onegaishimasu. It acts like a polite sign-off that ensures future cooperation.
Yes! You can point at something and say kore, onegaishimasu (this, please). It's a lifesaver for travelers who don't know the specific words yet.
With strangers, yes, it sounds a bit blunt. Adding shimasu makes the request humble and complete.
If they are asking for a favor, you can say hai (yes) or kashikomarimashita (certainly) in a formal setting.
Yes. If someone offers you something, you can say onegaishimasu to accept it politely. It's much better than just saying 'yes'.
Expressions liées
ください (Kudasai)
Please (more direct, used for items/actions)
どうぞ (Douzo)
Here you go / Please (when offering something)
すみません (Sumimasen)
Excuse me / I'm sorry
よろしく (Yoroshiku)
Best regards / Please treat me well (casual)
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