Asking favours formally

Open and soften a request to someone senior or a stranger in a formal setting.

Mix-ups Osoreirimasu works as both thanks and excuse me, much like sumimasen.

onegai itashimasu

humble

please (very polite)

Humble version of onegai shimasu for requests at work, on the phone and from staff.

Onegai shimasu is enough in daily life.

casual

kochira no shorui, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

Please take care of these documents.

こちらの書類、よろしくお願いいたします。

Written お願いいたします · おねがいいたしますWho you say it and hear itHeard 45× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

sorry to bother you when you're busy

Opens a request or question to a coworker, a clerk or a teacher.

A set opener; say it even if they don't look busy.

casual

oisogashii tokoro sumimasen, chotto ii desu ka?

Sorry to bother you, do you have a moment?

お忙しいところすみません、ちょっといいですか？

Written お忙しいところすみません · おいそがしいところすみませんWho you say itHeard 13× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

formal

sorry to trouble you, but...

Polite lead-in before asking a client, staff member or stranger to do something; common in business emails, on forms and in announcements.

Otesuu o okake shimasu means sorry for the trouble I'm causing. With friends say warui kedo instead.

casual

otesuu desu ga, kochira ni onamae o onegai shimasu.

Sorry to trouble you, but could you write your name here?

お手数ですが、こちらにお名前をお願いします。

Written お手数ですが · おてすうですがWho you say it and hear itHeard 1× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

formal

thank you; excuse me (very polite)

Staff and business people use it for thanks or before asking a favour; you'll mostly hear it.

Osoreirimasu ga at the start works like a very polite sumimasen ga.

casual

osoreirimasu ga, onamae o ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka?

Excuse me, may I ask your name?

恐れ入りますが、お名前を伺ってもよろしいですか？

Written 恐れ入ります · おそれいりますWho said to youHeard 59× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles