お・
Use お・ご～願えますか to ask politely whether the listener can perform an action. It is especially suited to professional, service, and institutional situations where a question sounds more appropriate than a direct instruction.
How the request works
The ending 願えますか is the polite question form of “can ask.” In actual use, the listener is the person expected to perform the action. The question format leaves an explicit opening for the listener to respond, while the honorific framing keeps the request formal.
The two main formations
The prefix and the action form work together as one formally framed request.
こちらでしばらくお待ち願えますか。
Could I ask you to wait here for a little while?
Analyze待ち is the stem of the native verb meaning “wait,” so it takes お.
申込書の太枠内にご記入願えますか。
Could I ask you to fill in the area inside the bold border on the application form?
Analyze記入 is a Sino-Japanese verbal noun, so it normally takes ご.
Question versus direct formal request
The target ending 願えますか asks whether the listener can comply, whereas 願います presents the same kind of formal request more directly. Choose the question form when it is useful to leave room for acceptance, refusal, or clarification.
More examples
恐れ入りますが、入口で身分証をお見せ願えますか。
Excuse me, but could I ask you to show your identification at the entrance?
Analyze館内では写真撮影をお控え願えますか。
Could I ask you to refrain from taking photographs inside the building?
Analyzeこちらの画面で予約内容をご確認願えますか。
Could I ask you to confirm your reservation details on this screen?
Analyze今週金曜日までにご回答願えますか。
Could I ask you to reply by this Friday?
Analyze受付で社員証をご提示願えますか。
Could I ask you to present your employee ID at reception?
Analyze内容に誤りがないか、もう一度お確かめ願えますか。
Could I ask you to check once more that there are no errors in the content?
Analyze