Translation guide
How to express the act of asking in Japanese, covering questions, requests, and invitations.
〜てください / 〜てもらえますか
How do you ask for something politely?
Use 〜てください for direct requests, 〜てもらえますか for more polite, indirect requests.
The speaker wants to obtain information by posing a question.
The most common verb for 'to ask'. Used for asking questions or inquiring about something.
I asked the teacher a question.
道を聞いてもいいですか。
May I ask for directions?
A slightly more formal verb for 'to ask' or 'to inquire'. Often used in written or polite contexts.
彼に理由を尋ねた。
I asked him the reason.
Literally 'to do a question'. Used specifically for asking questions, often in formal or academic settings.
授業中に質問してもいいですか。
May I ask a question during class?
The speaker wants someone to do something or give something.
Polite request pattern. Attach to the te-form of a verb. Can be softened with ませんか for invitations.
ちょっと手伝ってください。
Please help me a little.
塩を取ってください。
Please pass the salt.
Polite way to ask for a favor. Literally 'Can I receive the favor of you doing ~?'. More indirect than 〜てください.
この書類をチェックしてもらえますか。
Could you check these documents?
Verb meaning 'to ask (a favor)' or 'to request'. Often used when asking someone to do something for you.
Very polite, humble request pattern. Used in formal situations or with superiors.
少々お待ちいただけますか。
Could you please wait a moment?
The speaker wants to be allowed to do something.
Standard way to ask 'May I ~?' or 'Is it okay if I ~?'. Casual form: 〜てもいい？
ここに座ってもいいですか。
May I sit here?
写真を撮ってもいい？
Is it okay if I take a photo?
More formal than 〜てもいいですか. Literally 'Do you mind if I ~?'.
窓を開けてもかまいませんか。
Do you mind if I open the window?
The speaker wants to invite someone to do something together.
Polite invitation pattern. Attach to the negative stem of a verb. Casual: 〜ない？
映画を見に行きませんか。
Would you like to go see a movie?
一緒に昼ごはんを食べない？
Want to have lunch together?
Let's ~ pattern. More direct than 〜ませんか, often used when the speaker assumes agreement.
そろそろ行きましょう。
Let's get going.
Verb meaning 'to invite' or 'to ask out'. Used when you ask someone to join an activity.
The speaker wants to know how much something costs.
Standard phrase for 'How much is it?'. Can be used with specific items.
これはいくらですか。
How much is this?
Polite version of いくらですか, adding the honorific prefix お.
お会計はおいくらですか。
How much is the total?
聞く is the most common and can mean 'to ask' or 'to listen'. 尋ねる is more formal and often used in writing or polite speech. 質問する specifically means 'to ask a question' and is common in academic or formal settings.
When asking someone to do something, use request patterns like 〜てください or 頼む, not 聞く. 聞く is only for asking questions or inquiring.
✕ 手伝って聞く
Incorrect: 'ask to help'
○ 手伝ってと頼む / 手伝ってください
Correct: ask for help / please help
I asked my friend to do the shopping.
I asked her out on a date.