Question
of the Week
Vol. 15
Q. What is the difference between "kudasai" and "onegaishimasu"?
A. Both "kudasai （ください）" and "onegaishimasu （お願いします）" are used when making a request for items. "Kudasai （ください）" follows the object and the particle "o".
|
Kitte o kudasai. 切手をください。 |
Please give me stamps. |
| Mizu o kudasai. 水をください。 |
Water, please. |
"Onegaishimasu" can be replaced with "kudasai" in the examples above. It sounds a little more polite. The particle "o" can be omitted in this case.
| Kitte (o) onegaishimasu. 切手 (を) お願いします。 |
Please give me stamps. |
| Mizu (o) onegaishimasu. 水 (を) お願いします。 |
Water, please. |
However, there are some situations when only "onegaishimasu" is used.
(1) When making a request for service.
| Tokyo eki made onegaishimasu. 東京駅までお願いします。 |
Tokyo Station, please. (to a taxi driver) |
| Kokusai denwa onegaishimasu. 国際電話お願いします。 |
Overseas telephone call, please. (on the phone) |
(2)When asking for someone on the phone.
| Kazuko-san onegaishimasu. 和子さんお願いします。 |
May I speak to Kazuko? |
For making requests that involve action (please listen etc.), the verb "te form" is added to "kudasai". "Onegaishimasu" can not be used in this case.
| Chotto matte kudasai. ちょっと待ってください。 |
Wait a moment, please. |
|
Ashita kite kudasai. 明日来てください。 |
Please come tomorrow. |
