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.
水をください。
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.
お水をいただけますか。
Could I have some water?
Casual way to ask for something. Used among friends or in informal settings.
ビールを頼む。
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.
ドアを開けてください。
Please open the door.
ここに名前を書いてください。
Please write your name here.
Very polite request. Literally 'Could I receive the favor of you doing ~?'. Use with superiors or in formal contexts.
少々お待ちいただけますか。
Could you wait a moment?
Casual request among friends or family. Rising intonation makes it a question.
ちょっと手伝ってくれない？
Can you help me a bit?
Very casual, abbreviated request. Used in close relationships or when giving quick instructions.
ちょっと待って。
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 ~'.
駅への道を教えてください。
Please tell me the way to the station.
電話番号を教えてください。
Please tell me your phone number.
Casual way to say 'ask for information'. Often used when recounting an action.
彼に道を聞いた。
I asked him for directions.
Formal/literary way to say 'inquire about'. Used in writing or formal speech.
詳細について尋ねた。
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.
写真を撮ってもいいですか。
May I take a photo?
ここに座ってもいいですか。
May I sit here?
More formal version of 〜てもいいですか. Used in business or with superiors.
お手洗いをお借りしてもよろしいですか。
May I use the restroom?
Casual permission request among friends.
これ食べてもいい？
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.
田中さんをお願いします。
May I speak to Mr./Ms. Tanaka?
Polite way to ask if someone is available. Literally 'Is ~ there?'.
鈴木さんはいらっしゃいますか。
Is Mr./Ms. Suzuki there?
The English phrase 'asking for trouble' or similar idiomatic expressions.
Means 'you brought it on yourself' or 'it's your own fault'. Used when someone's actions lead to negative results.
そんなことをしたら自業自得だ。
If you do that, you're asking for trouble.
Idiom: 'to add fuel to the fire'. Similar to 'asking for trouble' by making a situation worse.
彼に文句を言うのは火に油を注ぐようなものだ。
Complaining to him is like asking for trouble.
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.
水をください。
Water, please.
田中さんをお願いします。
Mr. Tanaka, please.