Examples
Meaning
〜てください means please do something. It is one of the most common beginner patterns for making a polite request in Japanese.
Formation
Use the て形 of a verb and add ください. For example, 待つ becomes 待ってください, and 見る becomes 見てください.
Usage
Use this pattern when asking someone to do something, giving a polite instruction, or making a simple request in daily life. It is useful in classrooms, shops, offices, and travel situations.
Nuance
〜てください is polite, but it can still sound direct. With friends, it may feel a little formal. In service or classroom situations, it sounds natural and clear.
Comparison
Compared with the plain て form, such as 待って, 〜てください is more polite. Compared with 〜てくださいませんか, it is simpler and more direct.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using the ます form before ください. Say 書いてください, not 書きますください. Also, do not use this pattern for telling someone not to do something; use 〜ないでください instead.
Related Grammar
て形
The て形, or te-form, is a basic verb form used to connect actions and build many beginner grammar patterns, including requests, permission, and prohibition.
〜ないでください
〜ないでください, or nai de kudasai, is used to politely ask someone not to do something.
〜てもいい
〜てもいい, or te mo ii, means that doing something is okay or allowed. It is also used in question form to ask for permission.
〜てはいけない
〜てはいけない, or te wa ikenai, means that doing something is not allowed. The polite form 〜てはいけません is common in rules and instructions.