1.
request, favor
A polite word for a request or something one asks of another person.
お願いがあります。
I have a favor to ask.
一つお願いしてもいいですか。
May I ask you a favor?
神社で合格のお願いをした。
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 お願いします.
お願い、手伝って。
Please, help me.
コーヒーお願いします。
Coffee, please.
お願いだから、もう少し待って。
Please, just wait a little longer.
Polite noun form of 願う (to wish, to request) with the honorific prefix お.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- お願いします: please (polite, standard)
- お願いいたします: please (humble/very polite)
- お願いがある: to have a favor to ask
- お願いだから: I'm begging you, please (emotional)
NUANCE: As a standalone (sense 2), お願い is casual/familiar. Adding します makes it polite. お願いだから is an emotional, pleading expression often used with close friends or family.