In Japanese, the word for "please" varies depending on the situation, but the two most common and polite ways to say "please" are:
- お願いします (onegai shimasu) – This is a polite and versatile phrase used to make requests or ask favors and services. It can be used alone or at the end of a sentence. It conveys respect and politeness and is very common in formal or polite conversation.
- ください (kudasai) – This is used more specifically when requesting an action or a specific object. It usually follows a verb in the -te form or a noun with a particle. It is polite but can feel a bit stronger or more direct than onegaishimasu.
For example:
- その小さいビールをお願いします (sono chiisai biiru wo onegaishimasu) – "That small beer, please."
- 醤油をください (shouyu o kudasai) – "Please pass the soy sauce."
In casual context, sometimes おねがい (onegai) is used on its own among close friends or family as a softer, informal "please".
