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てください (Please Do)

[て-form]ください

Explanation

Polite request form meaning "please do..."

Formation

て-form + ください

Examples

聞いてください。
Kiite kudasai.
Please listen.
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ちょっと待ってください。
Chotto matte kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
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日本語で話してください。
Nihongo de hanashite kudasai.
Please speak in Japanese.
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Usage Notes

  • Standard polite request
  • Can sound commanding without ちょっと or すみません
  • Casual: て (without ください)
  • More polite: ていただけませんか

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't use for offers (use ましょうか)
  • Can sound too direct - often soften with すみませんが
  • てください vs てくださいませんか (latter is softer)

Related Grammar from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"

ます-form (Polite Present/Future)

[Verb Stem]ます

Polite form for present habitual actions or future intentions.

ました (Polite Past)

[Verb Stem]ました

Polite past tense form indicating completed actions.

ません (Polite Negative)

[Verb Stem]ません

Polite negative form for present/future.

More from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"