ください (kudasai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Please
Anna Baffa Volpe
3 min reading time
Updated on 22 January 2023
The verb ください (kudasai) is generally translated as Please give me or simply Please.
ください is the imperative form of the verb くださる which means to give.
In this post we are going learn more about the meaning of ください, how it is formed, and when ください is used through real example sentences.
How ください is formed
ください is a verb coming from the dictionary form くださる and has its own kanji:
- 下さる
kudasaru, to give - 下さい
kudasai, please give me
How and when ください is used
ください is used to ask someone to do something in a polite way and it is often used in combination with other verbs.
Object + Kudasai
A simple way to use this form is with the object expressed by the particle を.
お茶を下さい。
Please give me some tea.
書類のコピーをください。
Please give me a copy of the documents.
Kudasai in orders and instructions
The way we order someone to do something may sound rude and inappropriate if we don't know how to do it politely.
The use of the verb ください turns orders and instructions in a polite form and way to express.
この薬を１日に３回食後に飲んでください。
Take this medicine three times a day after meals.
教科書の２5ページを見てください。
Look at page 25 of your textbook.
Kudasai and requests
A common use of ください is in our requests to someone.
先生、すみませんがこの漢字の読み方を教えてください。
Teacher, please tell me how to read this kanji.
もう少し待ってください。
Please wait a little longer.
When we make a request, we often use すみませんが, excuse me as introductory expression.
Use of Kudasai masen ka
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When we recommend something, we often use it with the word どうぞ: please
どうぞ、ゆっくりしていってください。
Please, take your time.
Honorific language and Kudasaimase
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Support us to unlockExamples with ください
やめて下さい。
Please stop it!
手紙を忘れずにポストに入れてください。
Don't forget to put the letter in the post.
The て form of the verb has its negative structure in *ないで＋ください:
彼女を信じないでください。
Don't believe her!
