6 N5 Grammar Patterns for Requests and Permissions | Mastering Polite Speech
Learn 6 essential N5 grammar patterns for making requests and asking for permission in Japanese conversation.
Compare the nuances to understand which expression is most natural depending on the situation and the listener.
Master polite speech through a variety of practical, real-life examples.
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Grammar | Connection | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜てください | Verb て-form | Please do ~ | Basic instruction or light request |
| 〜をください | Noun | Please give me ~ | Requesting a physical object |
| 〜お願いします | Noun | Please (do/give) ~ | Politely requesting an object or service |
| 〜てもらえますか | Verb て-form | Could you do ~ for me? | Softly requesting while respecting the listener's intention |
| 〜てもいいですか | Verb て-form | May I do ~? | Asking for permission for one's own action |
| 〜ましょうか | Verb ます-form (drop ます) | Shall I do ~? | Offering to do something or help the listener |
Item by item
Reading: ~ te kudasai
Please do ~
Connects to the て-form of a verb to request or lightly demand an action from the listener. Be careful when using it with superiors, as it can sound like a direct order.
Reading: ~ o kudasai
Please give me ~
Attaches to a noun to directly request a physical object. It is frequently used when ordering at restaurants or shops.
Reading: ~ onegaishimasu
Please (do/give) ~
Attaches to a noun to politely request a service or object. In many cases, it sounds more polite and softer than '〜をください'.
Reading: ~ te moraemasu ka
Could you do ~ for me?
Connects to the て-form of a verb to softly ask if the listener is willing to perform an action. It sounds more polite than '〜てください'.
Reading: ~ te mo ii desu ka
May I do ~?
Connects to the て-form of a verb to ask the listener for permission to do something.
Reading: ~ mashou ka
Shall I do ~?
Connects to the ます-form of a verb (dropping ます) to offer help or propose doing something for the listener.
Practice with examples
すみません、お水をください。
Excuse me, water please.
ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか。
Could you help me a little?
ここに座ってもいいですか。
May I sit here?
How to decide when unsure
- When ordering at a restaurant, both '〜をください' and '〜お願いします' are natural, but '〜お願いします' often gives a softer and more polite nuance.
- When asking a superior for something, it is generally more natural to use '〜てもらえますか' or a more polite expression rather than '〜てください', which can sound like a directive.
- Make sure to distinguish between '〜てもいいですか' when asking for permission for your own actions, and '〜ましょうか' when offering to do something for the listener.
Common mistakes
Although '〜てください' is often translated as 'please', it is essentially a demand for action. Therefore, using it with a teacher or boss can sound rude, so caution is needed.
Wrong example: 先生、この漢字を読んでください。/Correct example: 先生、この漢字を読んでもらえますか。
It is generally safer to use '〜てもらえますか' or a more polite expression that asks for the superior's willingness.
Mini quiz
Which of the following is the most natural expression when asking a waiter for the bill at a restaurant?
One-line summary
Expressions for requests and permissions vary in nuance depending on their connection form and level of politeness. Try to use natural and smooth Japanese by choosing the appropriate expression for the situation.
FAQ
What is the difference between '〜をください' and '〜をお願いします'?
Both expressions can be used to request an object, but '〜をください' is mainly used to directly ask for a physical item. '〜お願いします' can be used more broadly for intangible services or situations like 'the bill' or 'repairs', and it generally sounds more polite.
When should I use '〜ましょうか'?
It is mainly used when the speaker offers to help or do something out of consideration for the listener. For example, if the listener is carrying a heavy bag, you can say '持ちましょうか' (Shall I carry it?).
