お願(ねが)い

おねがい

noun

request; favor; please

politecommunication

See also: お願(ねが)いする (verb form)

1. request, favor

A polite word for a request or something one asks of another person.

お願(ねが)いがあります。

I have a favor to ask.

一(ひと)つお願(ねが)いしてもいいですか。

May I ask you a favor?

神社(じんじゃ)で合格(ごうかく)のお願(ねが)いをした。

I prayed for success at the shrine.

2. please (when asking for something)

Used as a standalone expression meaning 'please' when making a request, often shortened from お願(ねが)いします.

お願(ねが)い、手伝(てつだ)って。

Please, help me.

コーヒーお願(ねが)いします。

Coffee, please.

お願(ねが)いだから、もう少(すこ)し待(ま)って。

Please, just wait a little longer.

Polite noun form of 願(ねが)う (to wish, to request) with the honorific prefix お.

Common patterns

お願(ねが)いします: please (polite, standard)
お願(ねが)いいたします: please (humble/very polite)
お願(ねが)いがある: to have a favor to ask
お願(ねが)いだから: I'm begging you, please (emotional)

Nuance: As a standalone (sense 2), お願(ねが)い is casual/familiar. Adding します makes it polite. お願(ねが)いだから is an emotional, pleading expression often used with close friends or family.

Related Words

Related: 命令(めいれい) (order, command)

Related: リクエスト (request)

Compare: 願(ねが)い事(ごと) (wish)

Compare: 助(たす)けて (help!)

general

Added 2026.2.6 9:35 · Revised 2026.10.8 16:24

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