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Japanese Versatility List

Asking a favour

Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 65 of 71Greetings, thanks and sorry

Lets you ask a friend for help or for something.

Mix-ups choudai (give me) gets mixed up with chotto (a bit).

warui kedo

polite sumimasen ga

sorry, but...

Softens a favour or a no to a friend; say it first, then the request or refusal.

Warui ne afterwards means sorry about that.

casual

warui kedo, mado shimete kureru?

Sorry, could you close the window?

悪いけど、窓閉めてくれる？

polite

sumimasen ga, mado o shimete moraemasu ka?

Sorry, could you close the window?

すみませんが、窓を閉めてもらえますか？

Written 悪いけど · わるいけど · すみませんがWho you say itHeard 470× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

chotto tetsudatte

polite chotto tetsudatte moraemasu ka

give me a hand for a sec

Quick call for help to family, friends or a close coworker.

Add kureru? to soften it: chotto tetsudatte kureru?

casual

chotto tetsudatte! kore omoi.

Give me a hand! This is heavy.

ちょっと手伝って！これ重い。

polite

sumimasen, chotto tetsudatte moraemasu ka?

Sorry, could you give me a hand?

すみません、ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか？

Written ちょっと手伝って · ちょっとてつだって · ちょっと手伝ってもらえますかWho you say itHeard 32× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

tanomu yo

casual onlymasculine

polite onegai shimasu

please; I'm counting on you

Presses a request on a friend or junior, or tells them you're relying on them; the answer is makasete.

Women usually say onegai ne instead.

casual

ashita no junbi, tanomu yo.

I'm counting on you to get things ready for tomorrow.

明日の準備、頼むよ。

polite

ashita no junbi, onegai shimasu ne.

I'll leave tomorrow's prep to you, then.

明日の準備、お願いしますね。

Written 頼むよ · たのむよ · お願いしますWho you say it and hear itHeard 982× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

choudai

casual only

polite kudasai

give me; please (after a -te verb)

Soft, homey request to family and close friends, after a thing (sore choudai) or a -te verb (matte choudai).

Can sound childlike or motherly; adults asking strangers use kudasai.

casual

sore choudai! nodo kawaita.

Give me that! I'm thirsty.

それちょうだい！喉渇いた。

polite

sumimasen, sore o kudasai.

Excuse me, that one, please.

すみません、それをください。

Written ちょうだい · くださいWho you say it and hear itHeard 1085× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles