Japanese - Lesson 5 of 168: Politeness

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

___てください。

___te kudasai.

Please, ___ .

Meaning: Please, ___ .

When to use: Use this to make a simple polite request. Insert a verb's て-form (te-form) before ください. Examples: 来てください (kite kudasai), 見てください (mite kudasai).

Tip: Don't use the dictionary form (e.g., *閉めください). You must use the て形 (te-form) before ください。

ドアを閉めてください。

Doa o shimete kudasai.

Please close the door.

名前を書いてください。

Namae o kaite kudasai.

Please write your name.

ありがとうございます。

Arigatō gozaimasu.

Thank you.

Meaning: Thank you.

When to use: A polite, commonly used way to say thanks in daily conversation. The shorter casual form is ありがとう (arigatō).

助けてくれて、ありがとうございます。

Tasukete kurete, arigatō gozaimasu.

Thank you for helping me.

美味しいです。ありがとうございます。

Oishii desu. Arigatō gozaimasu.

It's delicious. Thank you.

どういたしまして。

Dō itashimashite.

You're welcome.

Meaning: You're welcome.

When to use: A standard polite response to thanks. In casual talk, people also say いえいえ (ieie).

A: ありがとうございます。 B: どういたしまして。

A: Arigatō gozaimasu. B: Dō itashimashite.

A: Thank you. B: You're welcome.

手伝ってくれて、ありがとう。どういたしまして。

Tetsudatte kurete, arigatō. Dō itashimashite.

Thanks for helping. You're welcome.

すみません

Sumimasen.

Excuse me.

Meaning: Excuse me.

When to use: Use this to get someone's attention politely (e.g., in a store) or to apologize lightly. Context determines whether it's 'excuse me' or 'sorry.'

Tip: Learners sometimes use すみません for everything; remember it's also used to get attention, not only to apologize.

すみません、メニューをお願いします。

Sumimasen, menyū o onegaishimasu.

Excuse me, the menu please.

すみません、ちょっといいですか？

Sumimasen, chotto ii desu ka?

Excuse me, do you have a moment?

すみません

Sumimasen.

Sorry.

Meaning: Sorry.

When to use: Use this for light apologies up to more polite apologies. The casual form is ごめん (gomen).

遅れてすみません。

Okurete sumimasen.

Sorry for being late.

ぶつかって、すみません。

Butsukatte, sumimasen.

Sorry for bumping into you.

___てもらえますか。

___te moraemasu ka.

Could you ___, please?

Meaning: Could you ___, please?

When to use: Use this to ask someone politely if they can do something for you. Insert the verb's て形 (te-form) before もらえますか。For extra politeness use ていただけますか。

Tip: Don't mix forms like もらいますか; use もらえますか for polite requests. For stronger politeness, use ていただけますか。

写真を撮ってもらえますか。

Shashin o totte moraemasu ka.

Could you take a photo (for me), please?

ちょっと待ってもらえますか。

Chotto matte moraemasu ka.

Could you wait a moment, please?

もう一度言ってください。

Mō ichido itte kudasai.

Can you say that again, please?

Meaning: Can you say that again, please?

When to use: A polite, simple phrase to ask someone to repeat what they said. Adding すみません at the start sounds even more natural.

すみません、もう一度言ってください。

Sumimasen, mō ichido itte kudasai.

Excuse me, can you say that again, please?

聞こえませんでした。もう一度言ってください。

Kikoemasen deshita. Mō ichido itte kudasai.

I didn't hear. Please say it again.

手伝ってください。

Tetsudatte kudasai.

Please help me.

Meaning: Please help me.

When to use: Use this when you want someone to help with a task. Note this is different from a cry for danger (助けてください).

荷物を持ってください。手伝ってください。

Nimotsu o motte kudasai. Tetsudatte kudasai.

Please hold the luggage. Please help me.

この書類を整理するのを手伝ってください。

Kono shorui o seiri suru no o tetsudatte kudasai.

Please help me organize these documents.

すみません、できません。

Sumimasen, dekimasen.

Sorry, I can't.

Meaning: Sorry, I can't.

When to use: A simple, polite way to refuse or say you can't do something. To soften it more, add ちょっと (chotto) or explain briefly.

すみません、今日は手伝えません。すみません、できません。

Sumimasen, kyō wa tetsudaemasu. Sumimasen, dekimasen.

Sorry, I can't help today. Sorry, I can't.

その時間は無理です。すみません、できません。

Sono jikan wa muri desu. Sumimasen, dekimasen.

That time is impossible. Sorry, I can't.

ありがとうございます。助かります。

Arigatō gozaimasu. Tasukarimasu.

That's very kind of you.

Meaning: That's very kind of you.

When to use: Use this when someone does something helpful and you want to show extra gratitude: ありがとうございます。助かります。

荷物を持ってくれて、ありがとうございます。助かります。

Nimotsu o motte kurete, arigatō gozaimasu. Tasukarimasu.

Thank you for carrying my luggage. That helps a lot.

情報を教えてくれて、ありがとうございます。助かります。

Jōhō o oshiete kurete, arigatō gozaimasu. Tasukarimasu.

Thanks for the information. That's very helpful.

大丈夫です

Daijōbu desu.

It's okay.

Meaning: It's okay.

When to use: Use this to reassure someone after a small problem or to say you are fine. Casual form is also 大丈夫 (daijōbu).

大丈夫です。気にしないでください。

Daijōbu desu. Ki ni shinaide kudasai.

It's okay. Please don't worry.

怪我はありません。大丈夫です。

Kega wa arimasen. Daijōbu desu.

There are no injuries. It's okay.

どうぞ

Dōzo.

Go ahead.

Meaning: Go ahead.

When to use: Use this to give permission politely when letting someone start, take something, or go first.

どうぞ、入ってください。

Dōzo, haitte kudasai.

Go ahead, please come in.

どうぞ、お使いください。

Dōzo, otsukai kudasai.

Please go ahead and use it.

お先にどうぞ

Osaki ni dōzo.

After you.

Meaning: After you.

When to use: Use this when letting someone go ahead of you, for example through a door or in line. お先に is a polite form.

お先にどうぞ。私は急ぎません。

Osaki ni dōzo. Watashi wa isogimasen.

After you. I'm not in a hurry.

どうぞ、お先にどうぞ。

Dōzo, osaki ni dōzo.

Please, after you.

Japanese - Politeness

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means 'Please help me'?

How do you say 'You're welcome' politely?

Which phrase is a polite way to ask 'Could you ___, please?'?

Which phrase can mean both 'Excuse me' and 'Sorry' in polite speech?

I didn't hear. Excuse me, can you say that again, please?

At the station I was asked for directions. Excuse me, could you ___, please?

Other person: Can you help tomorrow afternoon? Me: Sorry, I can't.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice