Have you ever walked into a cute Japanese bakery, smelled the fresh melon pan, and suddenly realized... you don't know how to actually ask for it?

Don't worry! We’ve all been there, pointing frantically and hoping for the best. But what if I told you there’s a super simple, magical phrase that makes you sound polite and confident instantly?

That’s where をください (wo kudasai) comes in!

It’s one of the very first N5 expressions you'll learn, and it basically means "please give me." Whether you are ordering a latte, asking for a ticket, or even asking someone for a little bit of their time, this phrase is your best friend.

Let’s explore how to use this essential phrase to navigate your daily life in Japan with ease and a smile!
Are you ready? Let’s go!

をお願いします (wo onegai shimasu) vs をください (wo kudasai)
Both are used to ask for things, but the main difference is the level of politeness and the context!

をお願いします (wo onegai shimasu)
This is more polite and versatile. It is the best choice for ordering in restaurants, asking for services (like a taxi), or when choosing something from a list.

お会計をお願いします。
おかいけい を おねがいします。
okaikei wo o-negai shimasu.
Check, please.

をください (wo kudasai)
This is a more direct, straightforward request. Use it when you want someone to hand you a specific object or provide something like "time" or "advice."

りんごをください。
りんご を ください。
ringo wo kudasai.
Please give me an apple.

メニューをください。
めにゅー を ください。
menyu- wo kudasai.
Please give me a menu.

これをください。
これ を ください。
kore wo kudasai.
Please give me this.

京都に行くチケットをください。
きょうと に いく ちけっと を ください。
kyouto ni iku chiketto wo kudasai.
Please give me a ticket to Kyoto.

上達のためのアドバイスをください。
じょうたつ の ため の あどばいす を ください。
joutatsu no tame no adobaisu wo kudasai.
Please give me some advice for improvement.

家に着いたら、連絡をください。
いえ に ついたら、れんらく を ください。
ie ni tsuitara, renraku wo kudasai.
Please give me a call (or contact me) when you get home.

もう少し考える時間をください。
もう すこし かんがえる じかん を ください。
mou sukoshi kangaeru jikan wo kudasai.
Please give me a little more time to think.

• Grammar Point: をください (wo kudasai)
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: Please give me
• Quick Explanation: をください is used when you want to ask for something in a polite way. This can be a physical object or something abstract.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use をください!
It’s a simple but powerful tool that opens up so many doors and conversations for you in Japan.

みんなの日本や日本語にまつわるエピソードをください！
みんな の にほん や にほんご に まつわる えぴそーど を ください！
minna no nihon ya nihongo ni matsuwaru episo-do wo kudasai!
Please give me your stories about Japan or the Japanese language!

Now it’s your turn! Try imagining you are talking to a Japanese friend or a shopkeeper. What is the one thing you would ask for right now? Practice using をください!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

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