Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Want to politely ask someone to do something in Japanese?
- “Could you close the window?”
- “Could you please write your name here?”
- “Could you speak more slowly, please?”
To make respectful requests, use this structure:
V て-form + いただけませんか
= Could you please ~ ?
This is a more formal version of “〜てください” and is perfect for situations where extra politeness is needed — at work, in customer service, or with strangers.
1. Grammar Structure
Use the て-form of a verb, followed by いただけませんか to make a polite request.
| Verb | て-form | Full Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| しめる (to close) | しめて | しめていただけませんか。 |
| かく (to write) | かいて | かいていただけませんか。 |
| まつ (to wait) | まって | まっていただけませんか。 |
- Verb (te-form) : The te-form of the verb is used to connect the verb to “いただけませんか”.
- いただけませんか : This is a polite expression that translates to “Could you please” or “Would you mind.”
This is very similar to 〜てください, but adds a higher level of respect and is common in formal speech.
Still not confident in te-forms? Review Lesson 6 of Level 1!
2. Example Sentences
- ちょっと手伝っていただけませんか。= Could you please help me for a moment?
- ここに名前を書いていただけませんか。= Could you please write your name here?
- もう一度 説明していただけませんか。= Could you explain that one more time?
- ゆっくり話していただけませんか。= Could you please speak slowly?
3. Comparison: 〜てください vs. 〜ていただけませんか
| Expression | Level of Politeness | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 〜てください | Polite | Formal, but still common in everyday settings |
| 〜ていただけませんか | Very polite | Honorific, best for customers, superiors, etc. |
While both forms are respectful, いただけませんか is more indirect and humble — ideal in customer service, business, or when speaking to someone of higher status.
4. Practice Time!
Convert these into polite requests using 〜ていただけませんか:
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Could you please call me? | 電話していただけませんか。 |
| Could you please close the door? | ドアをしめていただけませんか。 |
| Could you please read this document? | この書類を読んでいただけませんか。 |
5. FAQ
- QWhat are the most common and standard ways to say “Could you please” in Japanese?
- A
The most standard and widely used polite ways to say “Could you please do ~” are typically:
- V-て いただけませんか
- V-て いただけませんでしょうか (Slightly more polite than いただけませんか)
- V-て いただけないでしょうか (Slightly more polite than いただけませんか)
These forms use the て-form of the main verb followed by a polite, often negative potential form of the verb いただく (itadaku).
- QWhat is the difference in politeness and nuance between 〜てください, 〜てくださいませんか, and 〜ていただけませんか / 〜ていただけないでしょうか？
- A
These patterns represent increasing levels of politeness and indirectness:
- 〜てください: Standard polite request. Suitable for colleagues, acquaintances, or in general polite conversation. It’s a relatively direct “Please do ~.”
- 〜てくださいませんか: More polite than 〜てください. It adds a layer of indirectness (“Won’t you please do ~?”). It’s less common than the いただく forms but can be used in formal contexts.
- 〜ていただけませんか / 〜ていただけないでしょうか: The most common and standard polite way to say “Could you please.” They are very indirect (“Could I receive the favor of you doing ~?” or “Would it be possible for me to receive the favor of you doing ~?”), making them highly respectful and suitable for superiors, clients, or formal settings.
- QWhy is the verb 「いただく」(itadaku) used in the structure 「〜ていただけませんか」? What does it mean here?
- A
「いただく」 is the humble/respectful form of the verb 「もらう」(morau), which means “to receive.” In this structure, 「〜ていただく」 means “to receive the favor of someone doing [Verb] for me.” By using the potential negative form (いただけませんか?), you are politely and indirectly asking “Could I receive the favor of you doing [Verb]?” This humble phrasing makes the request very polite.
- QHow do I respond appropriately when someone asks me to do something using one of these polite request forms?
- A
- はい、分かりました。(Hai, wakarimashita.) = Yes, I understand/got it.
- はい、少々お待ちください。(Hai, shoushou omachi kudasai.) = Yes, please wait a moment.
- すぐやります。(Sugu yarimasu.) = I’ll do it right away.
- かしこまりました。(Kashikomarimashita.) = Certainly. (Very polite/humble response)
- 承知いたしました。(Shouchi itashimashita.) = Understood. (Very polite/formal response)
If you cannot fulfill the request, you would politely apologize and explain why.
e.g., すみません、今はちょっと忙しいんです。(Sumimasen, ima wa chotto isogashiin desu) = I’m sorry, I’m a little busy right now.
6. Conclusion
Now you can:
- Use 〜ていただけませんか for formal and polite requests
- Understand how it compares with 〜てください
- Confidently ask someone to do something — even in professional or unfamiliar settings!
🎯 Practice: Write 3 polite requests using 〜ていただけませんか. Try using them in your daily conversations or with your Japanese teacher!
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