Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Want to say things like “Please sit down,” “Please open the window,” or “Please speak Japanese”?
In Japanese, the polite way to ask someone to do something is by using the structure:
V-て + ください
This expression is essential for giving instructions, asking for help, or being polite in everyday situations — at home, at school, or even while traveling in Japan!
Let’s learn how to use it naturally with the right verb forms.
1. What Is V-てください?
V-てください literally means “please do [verb]” and is used when you politely ask someone to do something.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 座（すわ）ってください。 | Please sit down. |
| 日本語（にほんご）を話（はな）してください。 | Please speak Japanese. |
| ドアを閉（し）めてください。 | Please close the door. |
| 教科書（きょうかしょ）を持（も）ってきてください。 | Please bring your textbook. |
This structure is made by taking the て-form of a verb and adding ください.
2. How to Make the て-Form of Verbs
To use this grammar, you need to know how to change a verb into its て-form.
Here’s a quick guide:
For ru-verbs
Just drop る and add て.
| Verb | て-form |
|---|---|
| 食（た）べる | 食べて |
| 開（あ）ける | 開けて |
| 起（お）きる | 起きて |
| 見（み）る | 見て |
For u-verbs
| Ending | Change to… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| う / つ / る | って | 立（た）つ → 立って 帰（かえ）る→帰って |
| む / ぶ / ぬ | んで | 飲（の）む → 飲んで 遊（あそ）ぶ→遊んで |
| く* | いて | 書（か）く → 書いて |
| ぐ | いで | 泳（およ）ぐ → 泳いで |
| す | して | 話（はな）す → 話して |
* one exception (u-verbs ending with く)
| Verb | て-form |
|---|---|
| 行（い）く | 行（い）って（irregular!） |
Irregular Verbs
| Verb | て-form |
|---|---|
| する | して |
| くる | きて |
3. Using V-てください to Make Requests
Once you have the て-form, just add ください!
| Verb | Request Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| 起（お）きる | 起きてください | Please wake up. |
| 書（か）く | 書いてください | Please write. |
| 座（すわ）る | 座ってください | Please sit. |
| 閉（し）める | 閉めてください | Please close it. |
| 勉強（べんきょう）する | 勉強してください | Please study. |
4. Practice with English Prompts
Try making these into Japanese using 〜てください：
- Please speak Japanese.
→ 日本語（にほんご）を話（はな）してください。 - Please teach me Japanese.
→ 日本語を教（おし）えてください。 - Please sit down.
→ 座（すわ）ってください。 - Please close the door.
→ ドアを閉（し）めてください。 - Please bring your textbook.
→ 教科書（きょうかしょ）を持（も）ってきてください。 - Please write your name.
→ 名前（なまえ）を書（か）いてください。
💡 You can make your own polite requests for everyday use, like:
- 窓（まど）を開（あ）けてください。= Please open the window.
- エアコンをつけてください。= Please turn on the air conditioner.
5. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QCan I drop ください in casual speech?
- A
Yes! Just using the て-form by itself (e.g., ちょっと待って) is common among friends or in informal settings.
- QWhat if I want to say “please don’t do…”?
- A
That’s a different structure:
→ 〜ないでください (e.g., さわらないでください = Please don’t touch.)
- QCan I make a request in past tense with this pattern?
- A
No — てください is always present/future. For past actions, use 〜ました or different structures.
Conclusion
Now you can make polite requests in Japanese like a pro!
✅ Use the て-form + ください to say “Please do ~”
✅ Learn the correct て-form conjugations
✅ Practice real-life requests like “Please sit down” or “Please close the door”
🎯 Try writing 3 polite requests you might use in your daily life!
Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?
Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.
Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.
