Hello, I’m Kodak.
If you have studied Japanese for even a short time, you have probably heard お願いします (onegaishimasu).
It appears when ordering food, asking for help, accepting an offer, speaking on the phone, introducing yourself, and even ending an email.
Its core meaning is closer to “I make this request of you” or “I’m asking for this, please.”
That is why the best English translation changes with the situation.
お願いします (onegaishimasu) is a polite expression used when making a request, asking for an item or service, accepting an offer, or asking someone to handle something.
Depending on context, it can mean:
・please
・yes, please
・I’d like this, please
・could you do that for me?
・I’m counting on you
・thank you in advance
① what onegaishimasu means
② how the expression is built
③ how to pronounce and write it
④ when and how to use it naturally
⑤ the difference between onegaishimasu and kudasai
⑥ the difference between onegai, onegaishimasu, and onegai itashimasu
⑦ common mistakes, anime usage, and natural example sentences
What Does Onegaishimasu Mean?
Hiragana: おねがいします
Romaji: onegaishimasu / onegai shimasu
Basic meaning: please; I request it; I’d like that, please
お願いします is used when the speaker places a request in the listener’s hands.
Sometimes the requested action is stated clearly:
予約をお願いします。
Yoyaku o onegaishimasu.
I’d like to make a reservation, please.
Sometimes the situation already makes the request obvious:
「袋はご利用ですか？」
「はい、お願いします。」
“Fukuro wa goriyō desu ka?”
“Hai, onegaishimasu.”
“Would you like a bag?”
“Yes, please.”
In that situation, お願いします means, “Yes, I would like you to do the thing you just offered.”
The Core Image of Onegaishimasu
The expression can be divided into three parts.
A polite prefix
願い (negai)
A wish, request, favor, or appeal
します (shimasu)
The polite form of する, “to do”
So the literal structure is approximately:
a polite request + do
↓
“I make a request.”
↓
“Please take care of this request for me.”
In お願いします, the focus is usually a request made to another person rather than a private wish.
Onegaishimasu Pronunciation
Hiragana: おねがいします
Romaji: onegaishimasu
Mora: お・ね・が・い・し・ま・す (7 morae)
A useful slow pronunciation guide is:
Each Japanese mora should be relatively even in length. Avoid placing one large English-style stress on a single syllable.
ne-ga-i
The vowel does not merge into the English sound in “guy.”
However, do not forcefully delete it. Practice the full rhythm shi-ma-su, then let the final vowel become light naturally.
Common Pronunciation Mistakes
⇒ Too much English-style stress, and “gai” becomes “guy.”
Better rhythm: o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su
⇒ Seven short, relatively even beats.
Incorrect habit: onegai-shy-mass
⇒ The shi and ma become compressed.
Better: onegai-shi-ma-su
How Do You Write Onegaishimasu?
All hiragana: おねがいします
Katakana: オネガイシマス
Romaji: onegaishimasu / onegai shimasu
The normal adult spelling is お願いします. Writing it entirely in hiragana is also correct and may appear in materials for beginners or children.
Katakana, オネガイシマス, is mainly used for stylistic emphasis, robot-like dialogue, signs, or creative writing. It is not the standard everyday spelling.
Onegai shimasu shows the grammatical parts more clearly, while onegaishimasu is very common in searches and informal romanization.
How to Use Onegaishimasu
1. Noun + をお願いします: Asking for an Item, Service, or Arrangement
The most useful beginner pattern is:
I’d like [noun], please.
Please handle/provide [noun].
コーヒーをお願いします。
Kōhī o onegaishimasu.
Coffee, please. / I’d like a coffee, please.
領収書をお願いします。
Ryōshūsho o onegaishimasu.
A receipt, please.
予約をお願いします。
Yoyaku o onegaishimasu.
I’d like to make a reservation, please.
確認をお願いします。
Kakunin o onegaishimasu.
Please check/confirm it.
It literally asks for “confirmation,” but natural English often says, “Please check this.”
2. Onegaishimasu by Itself: “Yes, Please”
You can answer an offer with お願いします when you want the offered item or service.
「お水をお持ちしましょうか？」
「お願いします。」
“Omizu o omochi shimashō ka?”
“Onegaishimasu.”
“Shall I bring you some water?”
“Yes, please.”
「写真を撮りましょうか？」
「はい、お願いします。」
“Shashin o torimashō ka?”
“Hai, onegaishimasu.”
“Shall I take a photo for you?”
“Yes, please.”
お願いします naturally accepts the offer. ください normally needs the requested thing or action before it, such as 水をください or 撮ってください.
3. Asking for a Person on the Phone
田中さんをお願いします。
Tanaka-san o onegaishimasu.
May I speak to Mr./Ms. Tanaka?
The literal words do not include “speak to,” but the telephone situation makes the request clear.
4. Choosing an Option
「サイズはどうしますか？」
「Mサイズでお願いします。」
“Saizu wa dō shimasu ka?”
“Emu saizu de onegaishimasu.”
“What size would you like?”
“Medium, please.”
カードでお願いします。
Kādo de onegaishimasu.
By card, please.
In this pattern, で marks the selected method, option, or form.
5. Entrusting a Task to Someone
この件、お願いします。
Kono ken, onegaishimasu.
Please take care of this matter.
明日の準備をお願いします。
Ashita no junbi o onegaishimasu.
Please take care of tomorrow’s preparations.
If they are not clear, use a more specific request.
6. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is a fixed expression whose English translation depends heavily on context.
Nice to meet you. / I look forward to working with you.
After asking a favor:
Thank you in advance. / I appreciate your help.
At the end of a work email:
Thank you for your cooperation. / Best regards.
When entrusting someone with something:
I’m counting on you.
Onegaishimasu vs Kudasai: What Is the Difference?
Both expressions are commonly translated as “please,” but they are built differently and do not always work in the same sentence.
Core image: placing a request, choice, service, or matter in someone’s hands
Often used for orders, services, arrangements, accepted offers, and understood requests
ください (kudasai)
Core image: “please give me” or “please do”
Used after a noun for something wanted, or after a verb’s て-form for an action
Both can be polite. The better choice depends on what you are requesting and how the sentence is built.
In many service situations, お願いします can sound softer or more like “I’d like…,” while ください is a clear, direct request.
When Both Can Be Used
When asking for a physical item, both are often possible.
I’d like a coffee, please.
⇒ A service-oriented request; places the order with the listener.
コーヒーをください。
Please give me a coffee.
⇒ A straightforward request for the item.
領収書をお願いします。
A receipt, please.
領収書をください。
Please give me a receipt.
Both are natural. The first often feels like a request to provide the service; the second focuses more directly on receiving the item.
When Kudasai Is Better: Verb + てください
To directly ask someone to perform an action, use:
Please do [action].
ここに名前を書いてください。
Koko ni namae o kaite kudasai.
Please write your name here.
もう一度説明してください。
Mō ichido setsumei shite kudasai.
Please explain it one more time.
Say 書いてください, or change the action into a noun:
記入をお願いします。
Please fill it in.
When Onegaishimasu Is Better: Accepting an Offer
「お願いします。」
“Shall I help?”
“Yes, please.”
ください by itself is incomplete here because it does not identify the thing or action requested.
When Onegaishimasu Is Better: A Service or Understood Arrangement
May I speak to Mr./Ms. Tanaka?
カードでお願いします。
By card, please.
この件をお願いします。
Please take care of this matter.
These sentences ask the listener to handle a situation. They are not simply asking the listener to “give” an object.
Onegaishimasu vs Kudasai in the Same Situation
アイスコーヒーをお願いします。
I’d like an iced coffee, please.
⇒ Natural as an order.
アイスコーヒーをください。
Please give me an iced coffee.
⇒ Also natural; more direct.
Asking someone to wait
少し待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
⇒ Natural action request.
少し待ってお願いします。
⇒ Incorrect.
Choosing payment
カードでお願いします。
By card, please.
⇒ Natural choice of payment method.
カードでください。
⇒ Incorrect in this meaning.
Read the detailed comparison: Kudasai vs Onegaishimasu
Onegai vs Onegaishimasu
Casual, emotional, or pleading: “Please!” / “I’m begging you!”
お願いします (onegaishimasu)
Standard polite request
お願いいたします (onegai itashimasu)
More formal and humble; common in business and formal writing
お願い、もう一度だけ！
Onegai, mō ichido dake!
Please, just one more time!
確認をお願いします。
Kakunin o onegaishimasu.
Please check it.
ご確認をお願いいたします。
Gokakunin o onegai itashimasu.
We kindly ask that you confirm it.
Use お願いします with strangers, staff, teachers, or people you do not know well.
Onegaishimasu in Restaurants, Shops, and Everyday Services
At a Restaurant
ラーメンを一つお願いします。
Rāmen o hitotsu onegaishimasu.
One ramen, please.
お会計をお願いします。
Okaikei o onegaishimasu.
The check, please.
At a Hotel
チェックインをお願いします。
Chekkuin o onegaishimasu.
I’d like to check in, please.
タクシーをお願いします。
Takushī o onegaishimasu.
Could you call/get me a taxi, please?
At a Store
これをお願いします。
Kore o onegaishimasu.
This one, please.
別々にお願いします。
Betsubetsu ni onegaishimasu.
Separately, please.
At Work or School
明日までに提出をお願いします。
Ashita made ni teishutsu o onegaishimasu.
Please submit it by tomorrow.
次のページをお願いします。
Tsugi no pēji o onegaishimasu.
The next page, please.
Onegaishimasu in Anime and Manga
In anime and manga, you may hear both polite and emotional versions.
Please! Help me!
⇒ お願いします introduces the desperate request; 助けてください states the action.
お願い、行かないで！
Please, don’t go!
⇒ Casual and emotional.
今日からよろしくお願いします。
I look forward to working with you from today.
⇒ Common in school, club, team, and workplace introductions.
あとはお願いします。
I’ll leave the rest to you.
⇒ Entrusting the remaining task to another person.
お願いします！ expresses the appeal: “I’m begging you!”
助けてください！ names the requested action: “Please help me!”
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Translating Onegaishimasu as “Please” in Every Sentence
In よろしくお願いします, a mechanical “please” translation often sounds unnatural. Translate the purpose: “Nice to meet you,” “Thank you in advance,” or “I’m counting on you.”
Mistake 2: Attaching Onegaishimasu Directly to a て-Form
○ 見てください。
Please look.
○ 確認をお願いします。
Please check it.
Mistake 3: Assuming Kudasai Is Rude
ください is a standard polite request form. It can sound more direct than some alternatives, but it is not automatically rude.
Mistake 4: Using Casual Onegai with Everyone
お願い alone is natural with close friends or in emotional speech. With strangers and service staff, お願いします is safer.
Mistake 5: Pronouncing Gai Like “Guy”
Remember the separate rhythm ga-i.
Natural Example Sentences with Onegaishimasu
コーヒーをお願いします。
Kōhī o onegaishimasu.
Coffee, please.
これを二つお願いします。
Kore o futatsu onegaishimasu.
Two of these, please.
窓側の席をお願いします。
Madogawa no seki o onegaishimasu.
A window seat, please.
領収書をお願いします。
Ryōshūsho o onegaishimasu.
A receipt, please.
田中さんをお願いします。
Tanaka-san o onegaishimasu.
May I speak to Mr./Ms. Tanaka?
もう少しゆっくりお願いします。
Mō sukoshi yukkuri onegaishimasu.
A little more slowly, please.
カードでお願いします。
Kādo de onegaishimasu.
By card, please.
次は私をお願いします。
Tsugi wa watashi o onegaishimasu.
Me next, please.
この資料の確認をお願いします。
Kono shiryō no kakunin o onegaishimasu.
Please check this document.
明日の会議もよろしくお願いします。
Ashita no kaigi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Thank you in advance for tomorrow’s meeting as well.
「荷物をお持ちしましょうか？」
「はい、お願いします。」
“Nimotsu o omochi shimashō ka?”
“Hai, onegaishimasu.”
“Shall I carry your bag?”
“Yes, please.”
無理なお願いですが、手伝っていただけませんか。
Muri na onegai desu ga, tetsudatte itadakemasen ka.
I know this is a lot to ask, but could you help me?
FAQ About Onegaishimasu
What does onegaishimasu mean in English?
Depending on context, it can mean “please,” “yes, please,” “I’d like this,” “could you handle this?” “I’m counting on you,” or “thank you in advance.” Its core function is making or entrusting a request.
Is onegaishimasu formal?
It is polite and suitable for many everyday interactions. お願いいたします is more formal and humble, while お願い alone is casual.
What is the difference between onegaishimasu and kudasai?
お願いします presents a request, order, service, choice, or arrangement. ください asks for an item or follows a verb’s て-form to ask someone to perform an action.
Can onegaishimasu and kudasai both mean “please”?
Yes. English often translates both as “please,” but their grammar and focus differ. For example, both can be used when ordering coffee, but only 待ってください can directly mean “Please wait.”
How do you pronounce onegaishimasu?
Pronounce it in seven relatively even morae: o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su. Keep ga and i separate, and allow the final vowel in su to become light naturally.
Is it onegaishimasu or onegai shimasu?
Both romanizations appear. Onegai shimasu shows the grammatical boundary, while onegaishimasu is common in search queries and informal romanization. Japanese writes it as お願いします without spaces.
Can I say onegai instead of onegaishimasu?
Yes with close friends or in emotional situations, but お願い is casual. Use お願いします in ordinary polite conversation.
What does yoroshiku onegaishimasu mean?
Its translation depends on context. It can mean “Nice to meet you,” “I look forward to working with you,” “Thank you in advance,” or “I’m counting on you.”
Can I use onegaishimasu in a restaurant?
Yes. It is very natural for ordering food or asking for service, as in コーヒーをお願いします and お会計をお願いします.
Is onegaishimasu used in anime?
Yes. It may sound politely serious in お願いします, emotionally pleading in お願い！, or formulaic in introductions such as よろしくお願いします.
Summary: Onegaishimasu Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage
お願いします is a polite request expression that can mean “please,” “yes, please,” “I’d like this,” or “please take care of this.”
● Core image
Placing a request, choice, service, or matter in another person’s hands.
● Structure
お (polite prefix) + 願い (request/wish) + します (do, polite)
● Pronunciation
お・ね・が・い・し・ま・す
o-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su
● Standard pattern
[noun] + を + お願いします
● Onegaishimasu vs kudasai
お願いします presents or entrusts a request.
ください asks for an item or directly requests an action after a て-form.
● Politeness levels
お願い = casual
お願いします = polite standard
お願いいたします = formal/humble
Use ～てください when you need to state a specific action clearly.
Related Article
If you want to compare all the common ways to make a request in Japanese in one place, see How to Ask for Something in Japanese: Polite and Casual Request Phrases.
References
- Digital Daijisen via goo Dictionary: お願い — explains お願い as a humble or beautified form of 願い.
- Progressive Japanese–English Dictionary via Kotobank: 願う — meanings and examples involving wishes and requests.
- Digital Daijisen via goo Dictionary: ください — explains ください as the imperative form of くださる and its use for requesting things and actions.
- Digital Daijisen via Kotobank: くださる — explains the respectful giving verb and auxiliary usage.