くださいplease; please do; please don't
ください is the polite way to ask for something. What comes before it says what you want: a thing, an action, or for someone not to do something.
A thing
Noun + を + ください
これをください.
An action
Verb in the て-form + ください
待つ → 待ってください.
Not doing it
Verb in the ない-form + で + ください
待たない → 待たないでください.
| Verb | Please do | Please don't |
|---|---|---|
| 飲む | 飲んでください | 飲まないでください |
| 食べる | 食べてください | 食べないでください |
| する | してください | しないでください |
| 来る | 来てください | 来ないでください |
Asking for a thing: をください
This is how you order in a café and buy things in a shop. A number goes after を, not in front of the thing. In conversation the を often drops.
Two of these bread rolls, please.
Sounds odd: 二つの
Two bread rolls, please.
English word order. People say パンを二つください.
Excuse me, this one, please.
Please give me a little more time.
Time counts as a thing too.
コーヒーをお願いします is just as natural and a little softer. お願いします also works when there is no thing to hand over.
in a taxi
To the station, please.
駅までください is not possible.
It also asks for something to be done, after a noun.
Please sign here.
Asking someone to do something: てください
You hear it in class, at the doctor's and at every counter: it is how people give polite instructions.
Please look at page ten of the textbook.
Please write your name here.
Excuse me, please speak a little more slowly.
When the action is for the other person's good, it is an offer or a kind word, often with どうぞ. どうぞ is "go ahead": it offers. To ask for something yourself, people open with すみません.
Please, have a seat.
It's hot, so please be careful.
Sounds odd: どうぞ、
Please give me some water.
すみません、水をください.
Asking someone not to: ないでください
From staff and on signs it is a rule put politely. Between people it can be a kindness too.
a rule
Please do not use a dictionary during the exam.
Please do not tell anyone about that yet.
The negative before ください is ないで, never なくて.
Please do not open the window.
Not said: 窓を
(Please do not open the window.)
Polite, but still an instruction
てください expects a yes. That is natural from a teacher or staff, for something small, or when it is for the other person's good. A real favor is usually asked with a question.
Please help me for a moment.
You expect a yes. A boss to her staff.
Could you help me for a moment?
You are asking. Right for a teacher, a boss or a stranger.
Close neighbours
The careful way to ask a favor: a question the other person can say no to.
Excuse me, could you take a photo?
ないでN4
In the middle of a sentence, with no ください, ないで is "without doing".
I went to school without eating breakfast.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
ここで
Choose an answer to see why.
2You would like your teacher to look at your essay, as a favor. Which one asks, and does not tell?
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
Written 下さい
On signs and in letters you will also see it in kanji, 下さい. It is the same word.
More sentences
A receipt, please.
Please give me a small bag.
Sorry, please say that once more.
Please line up behind this line.
Please call this number when you arrive.
The baby is sleeping. Please do not make loud noises.
Please do not open the door during the meeting.