JLPT N5 Expression – The distinction between “〜ください” and “〜お願いします”

Table of Contents

1. The distinction between “〜ください” and “〜お願ねがいします”
2. ください
3. お願ねがいします
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: Can “〜ください” and “〜お願ねがいします” always be used interchangeably?

A: There are times when they can be used interchangeably and times when they cannot.

Difference between “〜ください ” and “〜お願ねがいします”

First, let’s look at these two points.

“ください” is used when the speaker wants to receive something from the other person.
On the other hand, “お願ねがいします” is used when asking the other person for something or seeking their cooperation.

In situations like ordering at a restaurant, as shown below, where you are requesting or asking for something, you can use either.

[Examples]
すみません、コーラを1つください。
Excuse me, one Coke, please.

チーズバーガーセットをお願ねがいします。
I’ll have the cheeseburger set, please.

ください (JLPT N5)

“ください” is written in kanji as “下ください” and is the honorific form of “くれ”, which means “give me.” (*However, when used with the te-form, it is written in hiragana as “ください.”)
It is used as “～(を)ください”, and the object of the request is usually something tangible.

[Examples]
黒くろいペンを2本ほんください。
Two black pens, please.

その時計とけいをください。
That watch, please.

レギュラーサイズのコーヒーを2つください。
Two regular-sized coffees, please.

お願ねがいします (JLPT N5)

When you want something from someone, or when you are requesting assistance or cooperation, you use this expression. You can use “〜をお願ねがいします” for the object you want, and it can also be used as a phrase to accompany a request for assistance or cooperation.

Additionally, when speaking casually or with friends or close acquaintances, simply saying “お願ねがい” is also acceptable

[Examples]
募金ぼきんのご協力きょうりょくをお願ねがいします。
Please cooperate with the donation.

この資料しりょうの作成さくせいをやってくれませんか？お願ねがいします。
Could you please help me create this document?

お姉ねえちゃん。宿題しゅくだい、手伝てつだって！お願ねがい！
Sister, help me with my homework! Please!

Let’s Compare

So, in the following situations, which expression do you think is more appropriate?

1)（タクシーで運転うんてん手しゅに言いう）「すみません、新宿しんじゅく駅えきまで（①　　）」
(Speaking to a taxi driver) “Excuse me, to Shinjuku Station, please.”

2）ゆきちゃん、ここの答こたえ教おしえて！（②　　）！
Yuki, tell me the answer here, please!

The correct answer for both ① and ② is “お願ねがいします”.

In ①, you are making a request, and in ②, you are asking for cooperation. In these cases, you cannot substitute “ください”.
*Note that ② is not “教おしえてください” (te-form + “ください”), so be careful.

Summary

	ください	お願ねがいします
When requesting something from someone	◯	◯
When asking for assistance or cooperation from someone	×	◯

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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