Mastering Instructions & Requests in Japanese (N4)

In the JLPT N4 listening exam and real-life Japanese conversations, you will constantly hear people giving instructions, making requests, or asking for favors. To master these audio cues, you must learn to instantly distinguish who is supposed to perform the action and how polite the speaker is being.

This guide breaks down the essential grammar patterns for instructions and requests, complete with listening strategies to help you ace your next audio comprehension test.

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1. Standard Requests: 〜てください & 〜ないでください

These are the most common formulas for polite requests. In audio tracks, listen for the Te-form (〜て) or the Nai-form + de (〜ないで) followed by ください (kudasai).

Affirmative: [Verb て-form] + ください (Please do...)

• Meaning: A polite direct request.
• Example:
  • ここに住所を書いてください。住所書
  • Koko ni jūsho o kaite kudasai.
  • Please write your address here.
  住所書

Negative: [Verb ない-form] + でください (Please don't do...)

• Meaning: A polite request to refrain from an action.
• Example:
  • 教室で写真を撮らないでください。教室写真撮
  • Kyōshitsu de shashin o toranaide kudasai.
  • Please do not take photos in the classroom.
  教室写真撮

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2. Asking for Favors: 〜ていただけませんか vs. 〜てもらえませんか

When a speaker needs help, they will use these interrogative request patterns. In listening exams, these indicate that the speaker wants the listener to do something for them.

Examples:

• Polite:
  • 漢字の読み方を教えていただけませんか。漢字読方教
  • Kanji no yomikata o oshiete itadakemasen ka?
  • Could you please teach me how to read this kanji?
  漢字読方教
• Casual-Polite:
  • 窓を閉めてもらえませんか。窓閉
  • Mado o shimete moraemasen ka?
  • Can you close the window for me?
  窓閉

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3. Direct Instructions: [Verb Stem] + なさい

You will often hear 〜なさい (nasai) in audio passages involving parents talking to children, teachers instructing students, or on announcement systems. It is a firm, authoritative command.

• Rule: Remove ます from the polite form and add なさい.
• Example:
  • 早く起きなさい！ (From 起きます)早起
  • Hayaku okinasai!
  • Wake up quickly!
  • 宿題をしなさい。 (From します)宿題
  • Shukudai o shinasai.
  • Do your homework.
  早起宿題

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4. Critical Listening Strategy: Who Performs the Action?

N4 listening questions love to trick you by asking: "What will the listener do next?" You must distinguish between asking for permission (I do) and making a request (You do).

Audio Drill Practice

Scenario: A doctor is speaking to a patient.

「今日は熱がありますね。お風呂に入らないでください。そして、この薬を飲んで、ゆっくり休んでください。」今日熱風呂入

• Question: What should the patient not do today?
• Answer: Take a bath (お風呂に入らないでください).風呂入
• Key Cue: The negative request marker 〜ないでください tells you exactly what action is prohibited.