Translation guide
How to express making a request in Japanese, from polite asking to formal petitions.
The speaker politely asks the listener to perform an action. This is the most common everyday use.
Standard polite request. Attach to the te-form of a verb. Suitable for most daily situations with acquaintances, strangers, or in service contexts.
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
Please write your name here.
A slightly softer, more considerate request. Literally 'Won't you do ~ for me?'. Used among peers or when you want to sound less direct.
手伝ってくれませんか。
Could you help me?
窓を開けてくれませんか。
Would you mind opening the window?
Very polite request. Used in formal situations, with superiors, or when asking a significant favor. Literally 'Could I possibly receive the favor of you doing ~?'.
少々お待ちいただけませんか。
Would you mind waiting a moment?
この書類にご記入いただけませんか。
Could you please fill out this form?
Casual request used among close friends, family, or when speaking to someone of lower status. Can sound blunt if used inappropriately.
ちょっと来てくれ。
Come here a sec.
The speaker asks for something to be given or provided, like an item, information, or a service.
Standard way to ask for a concrete object. Used in shops, restaurants, or when requesting an item from someone.
水をください。
Water, please.
メニューをください。
Could I have the menu?
Polite way to request a service or action. More formal than 〜をください. Commonly used when ordering food, making reservations, or asking for assistance.
コーヒーをお願いします。
Coffee, please.
タクシーをお願いします。
A taxi, please.
Very polite way to ask for something. Literally 'Could I receive ~?'. Suitable for formal situations or when making a special request.
お水をいただけますか。
Could I have some water?
The speaker makes a formal, often written, request for permission, approval, or action, such as in business or official contexts.
General term for a request, often used in business for asking someone to do something. Can be used as a noun or verb (依頼する).
見積もりを依頼する。
To request a quote.
彼に仕事を依頼した。
I requested him to do the job.
Formal application or request for official permission, such as for a visa, license, or grant. Often involves paperwork.
Strong, often official request or demand, typically from an organization or authority. Carries a sense of urgency or necessity.
Loanword from English, used for casual requests like song requests on radio, or feature requests for products. Not used for formal petitions.
The speaker wants to ask for something but soften the imposition, often by using conditional or negative forms.
Very polite and indirect way to make a request, often used in business emails. Literally 'I think it would be good if I could receive the favor of you doing ~'.
ご検討いただければと思います。
We would appreciate your consideration.
Means 'It would be a great help if you could do ~'. Polite and commonly used in workplace settings.
明日までに送ってもらえると助かります。
It would be a great help if you could send it by tomorrow.
Casual, soft request among close friends. Rising intonation makes it a question.
ちょっと手伝ってくれない？
Can you help me a bit?
English 'request' often translates to patterns like 〜てください or 〜をお願いします, not a single verb. Using リクエストする is limited to casual contexts like song requests. For formal requests, use 依頼する or 申請する depending on the situation.
依頼 is a general request asking someone to do something. 申請 is an official application for permission or rights. 要請 is a strong, often public demand or request from an authority.
お願いがあるんですが。
I have a request.
クライアントの依頼でデザインを変更しました。
At the request of the client, we changed the design.
ビザを申請する。
To apply for a visa.
補助金の申請期限は明日です。
The deadline for the grant application is tomorrow.
政府に支援を要請した。
They requested assistance from the government.
曲のリクエストを送ってください。
Please send in your song requests.