N5#verbs#te-form#requests#grammar

〜てください (Please Do)

Make polite requests.

Context

Making Requests

Imagine you are in a Japanese classroom or a shop. You need someone to wait for a moment, or you want to ask a friend to read something for you. Simply stating the verb isn't enough; you need a way to make your request polite and clear.

In Japanese, we use the 'te-form' of a verb combined with 'kudasai' to turn an action into a polite request. This is one of the most essential patterns you will learn for daily communication.

Explanation

How to form a request

To make a request, take the 'te-form' of a verb and add 'kudasai'.

Verb-te formください

The 'te-form' is a specific conjugation of Japanese verbs. Once you have the te-form, adding 'kudasai' (which means 'please') creates a polite request. It is suitable for asking for favors, giving instructions, or asking for help.

Tip

Remember that the te-form conjugation depends on the verb group (u-verbs, ru-verbs, or irregular verbs). Always ensure you have the correct te-form before adding kudasai.

Examples

Examples in Action

Here are common ways to use this pattern.

ちょっと待って(まって)ください。

Please wait a moment.

ちょっとちょっとa little/moment待ってまってwait (te-form)くださいくださいplease

ここを見て(みて)ください。

Please look here.

ここここhereををobject marker見てみてlook (te-form)くださいくださいplease

本(ほん)を読んで(よんで)ください。

Please read the book.

本ほんbookををobject marker読んでよんでread (te-form)くださいくださいplease

名前を書いて【ください】。

Hint: The word for 'please' in a request.

Please write your name.

Usage

Nuance and Register

Using 〜てください is polite, but it is still a direct request.

While 〜てください is polite, it is essentially an instruction. If you are talking to a superior or someone you don't know well, you might want to use even softer language (like 〜てくださいませんか). However, for daily life, 〜てください is perfectly standard and polite.

Which sentence is more appropriate for a teacher?

✓ 本を読んでください。
本を読んで。

〜てください is the standard polite form. The plain form (〜て) is only for close friends or family.

Deep dive

Deep Dive: Omitting 'Kudasai'

Sometimes you will hear people drop 'kudasai'.

In very casual Japanese, people often use just the te-form to make a request (e.g., 'Chotto matte!'). This is very informal and should only be used with close friends. As a learner, stick to '〜てください' to ensure you always sound polite.

Summary

Lesson Summary

You have learned how to turn any verb into a polite request by using the te-form + kudasai.

Mastering the te-form is the key to unlocking many Japanese grammar patterns. Practice conjugating your verbs into the te-form, and you will be able to ask for anything you need.

待つ

まつverb

to wait

見る

みるverb

to see/look

読む

よむverb

to read

書く

かくverb

to write