1.
please (give me)
A polite request for something.
水を下さい。
Please give me water.
コーヒーを下さい。
I'd like a coffee, please.
メニューを下さい。
Please give me the menu.
これを二つ下さい。
Please give me two of these.
お時間を下さい。
Please give me some time.
2.
please (do)
Used after te-form verbs to make polite requests.
待って下さい。
Please wait.
ここに名前を書いて下さい。
Please write your name here.
もう一度言って下さい。
Please say that again.
静かにして下さい。
Please be quiet.
見せて下さい。
Please show me.
下さい is the standard polite way to make requests in Japanese. It comes from the honorific verb 下さる (to give, from a superior).
PATTERNS:
- [noun] + を + 下さい: please give me ~ (水を下さい)
- [te-form] + 下さい: please do ~ (待って下さい)
- お + [verb stem] + 下さい: more formal request (お座り下さい)
WRITING:
Often written entirely in hiragana (ください) rather than with kanji, especially after te-form verbs. The kanji form 下さい is more common for the "please give me" meaning.
FORMALITY SCALE:
- 〜て: casual (friends, family)
- 〜て下さい: polite (standard)
- 〜てくださいませんか: very polite (requesting a favor)