お願(ねが)い

おねがい
noun
request; favor; please
polite
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 2026.9.2 13:01
10000/10299_onegai