Translated examples
ここに名前を書いてください。
Please write your name here.
もう一度言ってください。
Please say it one more time.
ドアを閉めてください。
Please close the door.
少し待ってください。
Please wait a little.
Verb te-form + ください asks the listener to do something or gives a polite instruction. It is useful in everyday learning situations, but it is still direct. Decide who should perform the action before choosing this ending.
Form the request
| Dictionary form | Te-form | Request |
|---|---|---|
| 開ける | 開けて | 開けてください — please open |
| 待つ | 待って | 待ってください — please wait |
| 読む | 読んで | 読んでください — please read |
| 書く | 書いて | 書いてください — please write |
| する | して | してください — please do |
| 来る（くる） | 来て（きて） | 来てください（きてください）— please come |
The ending attaches to the te-form, including a form that ends in で: 読んでください. Do not substitute the ます form, as in 読みますください. The te-form table explains every verb-ending group.
Add the object or manner you need
ここに名前を書いてください。— Please write your name here.
もう少しゆっくり話してください。— Please speak a little more slowly.
この文を読んでください。— Please read this sentence.
The listener performs the requested action. You can omit an obvious object or location in a short exchange, but include the detail that matters. ゆっくり describes how to speak; it is not another verb form that needs て.
Compare the speaker’s purpose
| Purpose | Sentence | Actor |
|---|---|---|
| Request an action | 窓を開けてください。 | The listener opens it |
| Ask permission | 窓を開けてもいいですか。 | The speaker wants to open it |
| State a wish | 窓を開けたいです。 | The speaker wants to open it |
| Request an item | 水をください。 | The listener supplies the item |
Noun + をください is a separate item-request pattern. Do not turn 水をください into 飲んでください when you mean “Water, please”; 飲んでください asks someone to drink. Practise this contrast in ordering food.
Directness and the situation
てください is natural for clear instructions and some everyday requests. For a favour from someone you should address more deferentially, a question such as もう一度説明してくださいませんか can be more appropriate. The exact choice depends on the relationship and the request, not just a politeness ladder memorised in isolation.
With a familiar person, the bare te-form may be used in conversation, but it is less explicit about politeness. For a negative request, use ないでください, not a negative noun or ません placed after the te-form.
Practice
- Make a request from 書く: 名前を＿＿ください。
- Make a request from 読む: この文を＿＿ください。
- Complete “Please come here”: ここに＿＿ください。 Use 来る.
- Ask the other person to open a window. Choose 開けてください or 開けてもいいですか.
- Which asks for an item: 水をください or 水を飲んでください?
- Is てください automatically the best wording for every favour from every person?
Show answers and explanations
Answers and explanations
- 書いて. く changes to いて in the te-form.
- 読んで. む changes to んで.
- 来て（きて）. Remember the irregular reading.
- 開けてください. The listener is being asked to perform the action. 開けてもいいですか asks permission for the speaker’s action.
- 水をください. 水を飲んでください asks the listener to drink water.
- No. It is polite but direct; the relationship and size of the request can call for another expression.
Write one clear instruction and one request for help, then identify the actor in each. Continue with permission and prohibition to compare related endings.
Sources
Practice and explanations
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