How to Say "Please" in Japanese

In Japanese (日本語)

お願いします (Onegaishimasu)

Pronounced: oh-neh-gigh-shee-MAHS

How to use this phrase

• Greet a friend: Try saying "お願いします (Onegaishimasu)" the next time you meet someone who speaks Japanese.
• Practice with family: Use it during dinner or while watching a Japanese cartoon together.
• Be respectful: Speaking even a few words in someone's language shows you care about their culture.
• Have fun: Don't worry about being perfect — every native speaker started where you are now.

Want to learn 50+ more Japanese phrases?

Join 12,000+ families exploring Japanese with MaiMai — free games, songs, and downloadable activities for kids ages 3 to 18.

Start free · Browse all languages

Try other phrases in Japanese

• "Hello" in Japanese
• "Thank you" in Japanese
• "Goodbye" in Japanese

Say "Please" in other languages

• 🇪🇸 Spanish
• 🇫🇷 French
• 🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese
• 🇩🇪 German