Master the Art of Polite Requests: 〜てください (Te-kudasai)

In Japanese, getting what you need while maintaining social harmony is an essential skill. At the JLPT N4 level, your primary tool for making polite requests, giving instructions, or offering kind invitations is the 〜てください (~te kudasai) construction.

This guide will break down how to conjugate, use, and refine this pattern like a native speaker.

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1. The Grammar Formula

To build this structure, you only need to conjugate your verb into the て-form (Te-form) and add ください (kudasai), which means "please."

$$\text{Verb (Te-form)} + \text{ください}$$

Quick Te-form Conjugation Refresher

Before you can make requests, you must master the Te-form. Here is a quick cheat sheet:

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3. The Negative Request: 〜ないでください

To ask someone not to do something, use the negative plain form (Nai-form) of the verb, replace the final i with de, and add kudasai.

$$\text{Verb (Nai-form)} + \text{でください}$$

• 写真を撮らないでください。
  • Shashin o toranaide kudasai.
  • Translation: Please do not take photos.
  写真撮

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4. Cultural Nuance: Is it too direct?

While 〜てください is polite, it is still technically a soft command.

• With friends: Drop ください entirely and just use the Te-form (e.g., Matte! / "Wait!").
• With superiors (bosses, teachers, clients): Avoid using 〜てください for favors, as it can sound slightly bossy. Instead, elevate your politeness to 〜ていただけませんか (~te itadakemasen ka / "Could you please do... for me?").
  • Example: 教えてください (Please teach me) $\rightarrow$ 教えていただけませんか (Would you be so kind as to teach me?).教
  教

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5. Quick Challenge!

Translate the following sentences into Japanese using the grammar you learned today. (Answers below!)

1. Please open the window. (To open = 開ける / akeru)開
2. Please do not forget your umbrella. (To forget = 忘れる / wasureru; Umbrella = 傘 / kasa)忘傘

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Answers:

1. 窓を開けてください。 (Mado o akete kudasai.)窓開
2. 傘を忘れないでください。 (Kasa o wasurenaide kudasai.)傘忘

2. Real-World Examples

Let’s look at how this grammar functions in everyday Japanese conversations.

Example 1: Asking for Assistance

• 日本語で話してください。
  • Nihongo de hanashite kudasai.
  • Translation: Please speak in Japanese.
  • Breakdown: 話す (hanasu / to speak) $\rightarrow$ 話して (hanashite) + ください.話
  日本語話

Example 2: Giving Directions

• ここに名前と住所を書いてください。
  • Koko ni namae to jūsho o kaite kudasai.
  • Translation: Please write your name and address here.
  • Breakdown: 書く (kaku / to write) $\rightarrow$ 書いて (kaite) + ください.書
  名前住所書

Example 3: Offering Hospitality

• 温かいお茶をどうぞ。ゆっくり飲んでください。
  • Atatakai ocha o dōzo. Yukkuri nonde kudasai.
  • Translation: Here is some warm green tea. Please take your time and drink it.
  • Breakdown: 飲む (nomu / to drink) $\rightarrow$ 飲んで (nonde) + ください.飲
  温茶飲

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