JLPT N5 Expression – The difference between “〜ください” and “〜お願いします”
Table of Contents
1. The distinction between “〜ください” and “〜お願いします”
2. ください
3. お願いします
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Can “〜ください” and “〜お願いします” always be used interchangeably?
A: Sometimes they can be used interchangeably, and sometimes they cannot.
Both “ください” and “お願いします” are used when asking someone for something.
Let’s take a closer look at each expression.
Difference between “〜ください ” and “〜お願いします”
First, let’s look at these two key points.
• “ください” = used when asking for an item or asking someone to do something
• “お願いします” = used when expressing an order, request, or preference
[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いします。
I’ll have the cheeseburger set, please.
ください (JLPT N5)
“ください” has two main uses.
① Noun + を + ください
This form is used when you want someone to give you something or when you want a particular item.
[Rule]
[N] Noun + を + ください
[Examples]
黒いペンを2本ください。
Two black pens, please.
その時計をください。
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.
In this case, “お願いします” can sometimes be used instead.
◯ コーヒーを2つください。
◯ コーヒーを2つお願いします。
② Verb て form + ください
This form is used when you want someone to do something.
[Rule]
[V] Verb て form + ください
[Examples]
ここに名前を書いてください。
Please write your name here.
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
もう一度言ってください。
Please say it again.
“〜てください” is used to ask someone to perform an action.
You cannot attach “お願いします” directly to the verb in the same way.
× 書いてお願いします
× 待ってお願いします
お願いします (JLPT N5)
“お願いします” is used when asking someone for something or expressing a request or preference. It is also commonly used when placing an order.
① Noun + を + お願いします
[Examples]
コーヒーをお願いします。
Coffee, please.
チーズバーガーセットをお願いします。
I’ll have the cheeseburger set, please.
領収書をお願いします。
A receipt, please.
When asking for an item or service in this way, both “ください” and “お願いします” can sometimes be used.
② When making a request or asking for cooperation
“お願いします” is also used when asking someone to do something or requesting their cooperation.
[Examples]
アンケートへのご協力をお願いします。
We kindly ask for your cooperation with this survey.
明日の会議、よろしくお願いします。
Thank you in advance for your help with tomorrow’s meeting.
これ、手伝ってくれない？お願い！
Can you help me with this? Please!
In conversations with close friends or people you know well, you can also use the more casual “お願い” instead of “お願いします.”
Let’s Compare
“ください” and “お願いします” are both used when asking someone for something, but their main uses are slightly different.
“ください” is used when you want an item or when you want someone to perform a specific action.
For items, the pattern is: Noun + を + ください
For actions, the pattern is: Verb て form + ください
On the other hand, “お願いします” is used when expressing an order, request, or preference to someone.
Because of this, there are some situations where both can be used.
[Example]
コーヒーをください。
コーヒーをお願いします。
Coffee, please.
However, they are not always interchangeable.
For example:
[Example]
◯ 新宿駅までお願いします。
× 新宿駅までください。
To Shinjuku Station, please.
◯ここに名前を書いてください。
× ここに名前を書いてお願いします。
Please write your name here.
In other words, “ください” has two main patterns: “Noun + を + ください” and “Verb て form + ください,” while “お願いします” is an expression used to communicate an order or request itself.
Remembering this difference will make it easier to choose between the two expressions.
Summary
[〜ください]
- Used when asking someone for an item.
- Used in the pattern “Noun + を + ください.”
- When asking someone to perform a specific action, use “Verb て form + ください.”
- It can sometimes be replaced with “お願いします,” but the two are not always interchangeable.
[〜お願いします]
- Used when expressing an order, request, or preference to someone.
- Used in the pattern “Noun + を + お願いします” to ask for an item or service.
- In restaurants, shops, and similar situations, both “ください” and “お願いします” can sometimes be used.
- It can also be used in situations where “ください” cannot be used, such as when giving a destination or making certain requests.
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.
A. どちらでもよい
すみません、コーヒーとサンドイッチをください。
すみません、コーヒーとサンドイッチをお願いします。
Excuse me, a coffee and a sandwich, please.
*Both can be used because the speaker is asking for items or products such as a coffee and a sandwich.
A. お願いします
仕事が大変なんです。手伝ってくれませんか。お願いします。
I’m having a hard time with my work. Could you help me, please?
*“お願いします” is natural here because the speaker is asking the other person for help.
A. お願いします
すみませんが、このホテルまでお願いします。
Excuse me, to this hotel, please.
*お願いします” is natural here because the speaker is asking a taxi driver or someone similar to take them to the destination.
A. どちらでもよい
ビールを3杯ください。
ビールを3杯お願いします。
Three beers, please.
*Both can be used because the speaker is ordering an item.
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