By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The phrase **てください** (te kudasai) is used to make polite requests in Japanese. It is often added to the **て-form** of a verb to politely ask someone to do something. This form is very common in both daily conversation and formal settings when requesting actions from others.
Structure:
- Take the **て-form** of a verb (e.g., 食べて – tabete – “eat”).
- Add ください (kudasai) to make a polite request (e.g., 食べてください – tabete kudasai – “Please eat”).
Example: 食べてください (tabete kudasai) – Please eat.
💡 Example Sentences
- ここに座ってください。
Please sit here. - ドアを閉めてください。
Please close the door. - 静かにしてください。
Please be quiet. - 電話をかけてください。
Please make a call. - この本を読んでください。
Please read this book.
📝 Grammar Notes
- **てください** is a very polite and common way to ask someone to do something in Japanese.
- It is often used in formal situations, but also in casual contexts with people you know well. However, it still maintains politeness.
- **ください** is a polite version of **くれる** (kureru), which means “to give.” When used with the **て-form**, it turns the sentence into a request.
- It can also be used for commands or instructions in a respectful manner, which is helpful in both work environments and when interacting with strangers.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct てください form:
- ペンを______。
- このレポートを______。
- 窓を______。
✔ Sample Answers:
- ペンを使ってください。
- このレポートを見てください。
- 窓を開けてください。
2. Translate into Japanese using てください:
- Please speak slowly.
- Please wait a moment.
- Please write your name here.
✔ Sample Answers:
- ゆっくり話してください。
- ちょっと待ってください。
- ここに名前を書いてください。
📚 Vocabulary List
- 座る（すわる） – to sit
- 閉める（しめる） – to close
- 静か（しずか） – quiet
- 電話（でんわ） – telephone
- 読む（よむ） – to read
- 書く（かく） – to write
🔗 Related Grammar
- て-form – This is the foundation for **てください**. You need the **て-form** of the verb to use **ください** for requests.
- ください – A polite way to ask someone to do something. This can also be used with **あげる**, **くれる**, and **もらう**.
- くださいませんか – A more polite or formal way to ask for something.
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: **てください** is a polite way to make a request, asking someone to do something for you.
- Usage: It is used in various contexts, from everyday polite requests to formal settings.
- Level: JLPT N5
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
