Making Requests in Japanese
From friendly favors to formal asks — pick the right level.
Making a request in Japanese isn't just about the words — it's about calibrating politeness. Too casual with a boss and it's rude. Too formal with a friend and it's weird. Japanese also has a unique pattern of cushioning requests with apologies first — you'll often hear "sumimasen" before the actual ask. Learning when to use each level prevents the awkward mismatches that mark you as a beginner.
Casual
ちょっと手伝って。
Chotto tetsudatte.
Help me out a bit.
これ、やってくれない？
Kore, yatte kurenai?
Can you do this for me?
明日までに送ってね。
Ashita made ni okutte ne.
Send it by tomorrow, OK?
ちょっと待ってて。
Chotto mattete.
Wait here for a sec.
Polite
すみません、○○をお願いできますか？
Sumimasen, XX wo onegai dekimasu ka?
Excuse me, could I ask for [thing]?
お手数ですが、○○していただけますか？
Otesuu desu ga, XX shite itadakemasu ka?
I know it's trouble, but could you do [thing]?
恐れ入りますが、ご確認いただけますでしょうか。
Osoreirimasu ga, gokakunin itadakemasu deshou ka.
I'm sorry to bother you, but could you check this?
お時間のある時にお返事いただけると助かります。
Ojikan no aru toki ni ohenji itadakeru to tasukarimasu.
It would help if you could reply when you have time.
何卒ご検討のほど、よろしくお願いいたします。
Nanitozo gokentou no hodo, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
I humbly ask for your consideration.
Written / Email
ご多忙のところ恐縮ですが、ご対応いただけますと幸いです。
Gotabou no tokoro kyoushuku desu ga, gotaiou itadakemasu to saiwai desu.
I know you're busy, but I'd appreciate your handling of this.
添付ファイルをご確認ください。
Tenpu fairu wo gokakunin kudasai.
Please check the attached file.
お手すきの際にご返信いただけますでしょうか。
Otesuki no sai ni gohenshin itadakemasu deshou ka.
Could you reply when you have a free moment?
以下の件についてご教示いただけますと幸いです。
Ika no ken ni tsuite gokyouji itadakemasu to saiwai desu.
I would appreciate your guidance on the matter below.
引き続きよろしくお願いいたします。
Hikitsuzuki yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Thank you for your continued support.
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