Asking politely: ～てください
Verb-て + ください
Verb-て + ください = “please do…”. More polite: ～てくださいませんか.
In short
て-form + ください = “please do…”. まって ください (please wait), 見て ください (please look). It's polite but direct; to soften it, add すみませんが in front.
- ちょっと まって ください。chotto matte kudasaiPlease wait a moment.
- ここに なまえを 書いて ください。koko ni namae o kaite kudasaiPlease write your name here.
- もう いちど 言って ください。mō ichido itte kudasaiCould you say that again, please?
The basics
て-form + ください = politely asking someone to do something: “please do…”. It's the everyday request, between adults, at work, in a shop.
- ちょっと まって ください。chotto matte kudasaiPlease wait a moment.
- ゆっくり はなして ください。yukkuri hanashite kudasaiPlease speak slowly.
- ここに 名前を 書いて ください。koko ni namae o kaite kudasaiPlease write your name here.
Softening the request
To be more polite, start with すみませんが, or turn the request into a question with ～てくださいませんか (could you possibly…?).
| Phrase | Nuance |
|---|---|
| ～てください | a polite, clear request |
| すみませんが、～てください | friendlier |
| ～てくださいませんか | very polite, almost a question |
ください on its own or with て?
Noun + を ください: you ask for an object (水を ください). Verb in て + ください: you ask for an action (水を 買って ください, please buy some water).
Common mistakes
- Using the ます-form: “待ちますください” is wrong, it's 待って ください.
- Mixing up をください (an object) and てください (an action).
- Using ～てください with a superior for a big favour: prefer ～てくださいませんか.
5 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N5 point is on the Yamanote Line (The て-form) of the Tokyo subway.