Translation guide
How to express 'ask for' in Japanese, covering requests for objects, actions, information, and permission.
The speaker wants someone to give them something or do a small favor.
Polite way to ask for a concrete item. Attach to a noun. Use in shops or when making a direct request.
Please give me water.
メニューをください。
Please give me the menu.
Very polite. Literally 'Could I receive ~?'. Suitable for formal situations or when speaking to superiors.
Could I have some water?
Casual way to ask for something. Used among friends or in informal settings.
I'll ask for a beer.
The speaker wants someone to perform an action.
Polite request form. Attach to the te-form of a verb. Standard for everyday requests.
Please open the door.
Please write your name here.
Very polite request. Literally 'Could I receive the favor of you doing ~?'. Use with superiors or in formal contexts.
Could you wait a moment?
Casual request among friends or family. Rising intonation makes it a question.
Can you help me a bit?
Very casual, abbreviated request. Used in close relationships or when giving quick instructions.
Wait a sec.
The speaker wants to know something or be told how to do something.
Polite way to ask for information. Literally 'Please teach/tell me ~'.
Please tell me the way to the station.
Please tell me your phone number.
Casual way to say 'ask for information'. Often used when recounting an action.
I asked him for directions.
Formal/literary way to say 'inquire about'. Used in writing or formal speech.
I asked for details.
The speaker wants to be allowed to do something.
Standard polite way to ask 'May I ~?'. Attach to te-form of verb.
May I take a photo?
May I sit here?
More formal version of 〜てもいいですか. Used in business or with superiors.
May I use the restroom?
Casual permission request among friends.
Can I eat this?
The speaker wants to speak to a specific person, e.g., on the phone or at a door.
Standard way to ask for someone on the phone. Attach the person's name + さん.
May I speak to Mr./Ms. Tanaka?
Polite way to ask if someone is available. Literally 'Is ~ there?'.
Is Mr./Ms. Suzuki there?
The English phrase 'asking for trouble' or similar idiomatic expressions.
English 'ask for' often combines 'ask' and 'for', but Japanese uses different constructions depending on what is being requested. Do not try to directly translate 'ask' + 'for' as a single phrase.
Both mean 'please', but ください is used with nouns (for objects) or te-form verbs (for actions). お願いします is used when asking for a person on the phone, or as a general 'please' when making a request.
Water, please.
Mr. Tanaka, please.
Idiom: 'to add fuel to the fire'. Similar to 'asking for trouble' by making a situation worse.
Complaining to him is like asking for trouble.