Useful Japanese expressions when it comes to asking someone a favor~

 

 

When you need some help from someone maybe because you are new to the area or have just started working, what would you say? Yes, the magic word is always “please”, but how would you say that in Japanese? and what else?

In this blog post today, I would like to share with you some of the most useful phrases you can use at workplace when asking someone a favor.  Some of these can be also used in other places, but as you will notice, most of these are polite ways of asking a favor. Read on~

 

1.Sumimasen onegai shitai kotoga aruno desuga~

Excuse me, I have something I would like to ask you~

(すみません、おねがい　したいことが　あるのですが）

This is probably the first thing you would say to get someone’s attention.

 

2.Do shitemo oshiete itadakitai koto ga aruno desuga

I have something that I really need help on.

(どうしても　おしえて　いただきたい　ことが　あるのですが)

 

3. Ojikan no arutoki ni mite itadake naide shouka.

Could you please take a look when you have time?

(おじかん　の　あるとき　に　みて　いただけ　ないで　しょうか。)

 

4.Mite itadakeruto totemo tasukari masu.

If you could please take a look, it will be helpful.

(みて　いただけると　とても　たすかり　ます。)

 

5. Go kyōju onegai itashi masu. 

I thank you for your kind instruction.

(ごきょうじゅ　おねがい　いたします。)

 

Remember, all of these are polite ways of asking someone about something. You could apply this to anyone older or anyone with more seniority at work. Japanese language is a bit unique in that it indicates much of vague ideas. For example, the first two sentences end with “ga (が)”, which is an indication where you could still continue on what you are saying, but we like to use expressions that end like this, so that you won’t sound too straightforward.