ください

Japanese

Etymology

Conjugation of くださる, humble form of くれる.

Verb

ください • (kudasai) 

1. 下さい: (polite) Imperative of 下さる
   1. please give me

      葉(は)書(がき)を５(ご)枚(まい)ください。

      Hagaki o gomai kudasai.

      Please give me five postcards.

   2. (expressing a request) please do something for me

      現(げん)地(ち)に着(つ)いたら電(でん)話(わ)して下(くだ)さい。

      Genchi ni tsuitara denwa shite kudasai.

      Please call me when you get there.

      無(む)理(り)をしないでください。

      Muri o shinaide kudasai.

      Please don't push yourself too hard.

Usage notes

• Nowadays, except in very formal or traditional contexts, this term is normally written in kana. Outside of such contexts, the spelling 「下さい」 can emphasize the meaning of "give" associated with 「下」, though this is rare.
• The imperative sense is either attached to the て form (te-form) of a verb, or a noun prefixed with お (o-) or ご (go-).

  ちょっとお待(ま)ちください。

  Chotto o-machi kudasai.

  Please wait a little. (Here 待ち is the continuative form of 待つ.)

  これをご覧(らん)ください。

  Kore o go-ran kudasai.

  Please have a look at this.

Synonyms

• (please give me): ちょうだい (chōdai) (usually used by females)
• (please): ちょうだい (chōdai) (usually used by females), なさい (nasai) (soft but firm), な (na) (casual)
• (Kagoshima) たもし (tamoshi)