Requests and permissions

❃ Requests and permissions

これをください。 [ Kore o kudasai. ]: Please give me this.
写真をお願いします。 [ Shashin o onegaishimasu. ]: Can you take a picture for us, please?
手伝ってください。 [ Tetsudatte kudasai. ]: Please help me.
ちょっと待ってください。 [ Chotto matte kudasai. ]: Please wait a moment.
写真を撮ってもいいですか。 [ Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka. ]: May I take a picture?
ここに座ってもいいですか。 [ Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka. ]: May I sit here?
これを見てもいいですか。 [ Kore o mite mo ii desu ka. ]: May I look at this?
入ってもいいですか。 [ Haitte mo ii desu ka. ]: May I come in?
エアコンをつけてください。 [ Eakon o tsukete kudasai. ]: Please turn on the air conditioner.
窓を閉めてください。 [ Mado o shimete kudasai. ]: Please close the window.
これを預かってください。 [ Kore o azukatte kudasai. ]: Please keep this for me.
触らないでください。 [ Sawaranai de kudasai. ]: Please do not touch.
入らないでください。 [ Hairanai de kudasai. ]: Please do not enter.
教えてください。 [ Oshiete kudasai. ]: Please tell/teach me.
貸してください。 [ Kashite kudasai. ]: Please lend it to me.

Cultural notes

In Japanese culture, asking someone to do something for you, or asking for permission to do something yourself, is a highly delicate social dance. The core philosophy here is avoiding imposition. You never want to sound like you are demanding a right or forcing an obligation. Instead, you are humbly requesting the other person's grace and cooperation. When asking someone to do an action, the most common grammatical form is adding "kudasai" (〜てください) to the 'te-form' of a verb. For example, "Matte kudasai" (待ってください) means "Please wait." While "kudasai" literally translates to "please give down to me," making it relatively polite, using it alone can sometimes sound like a direct instruction. Therefore, Japanese people usually soften the blow by preceding the request with phrases like "Sumimasen" (すみません - Excuse me) or "Chotto" (ちょっと - A little bit). Asking for permission is an even more nuanced concept. To do this, the Japanese use the structure "〜te mo ii desu ka" (〜てもいいですか). For example, "Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka" (ここに座ってもいいですか) means "Is it okay if I sit here?". Literally translated, it asks "Even if I sit here, is it good?". This structure perfectly embodies the Japanese spirit of consideration. It gives the listener an easy out, framing the action not as your entitlement, but as an inquiry into whether your action will disrupt the environment or the other person's comfort. Mastering these indirect, polite structures ensures that you navigate shops, restaurants, and public spaces without accidentally offending the locals through overly assertive communication.

✣

← Time and dates Contents Speech levels →

Other sections

Greetings Politeness and apologies Aizuchi and reactions Understanding and repeating Introducing yourself Basic questions Numbers and classifiers Time and dates Speech levels Asking directions Location Station and tickets IC cards Train and Shinkansen Subway Bus Taxi Airport Driving and cycling Restaurant Ordering food Izakaya Fast food Diets and allergies Bill and takeaway Convenience stores Supermarket and street stalls Clothes shopping Shopping and tax-free Checkout and refunds Hotel and Ryokan Room and facilities Onsen and public baths Check-out and lockers AirBnb and rules Wi-Fi and SIM Bank and money Post and administration Lost and found General health Describing symptoms Pains and body Pharmacy Hospital and clinic Emergencies Natural disasters Police and accidents Travel problems Family Work and colleagues Feelings and emotions Hobbies and pop culture Tourism and impressions Weather and seasons Invitations and outings Opinions and refusals Visiting someone's home Farewells and contact