What is the difference between Kudasai and Onegai?

Both kudasai [ください] and onegaishimasu [お願いします] are used when making a request, and can be literally translated as “Please”. But do you know the difference between the two? When to use each one? In this article, we will answer this big question.

What does kudasai mean?

The word kudasai [下さい] can be literally translated as please, give me, or do something for me. It can be used both to ask for specific things like objects or to ask a favor from someone.

Kudasai is the imperative (命令形) form of the verb Kudasaru, which is the humble form of describing someone giving something to you. As illustrated by the ideogram below [下], you are literally passing something down to someone. The verb can mean both give and receive.

The Japanese language has a construction where verbs of elasticity like ageru, kureru, morau, sashiageru, kudasaru, and itadaku associated with the te [て] form give the meaning of doing something for the sake or benefit of someone.

What does onegai mean?

Onegai [お願い] comes from the ideogram [願] which means wish, request, and prayer. The word can literally mean request and wish, in addition to please. The shimasu is from the verb suru which means to do.

“Onegai” also derives from the verb “negau” which literally means “to pray for (something)” or “to wish for (something)”. There is also the noun without the [お] which aims to be honorable and give politeness to the word.

Onegai is more frequently used to ask for help in certain situations involving interaction, learning, and communication with another person.

According to the concept of the kanji, it somewhat establishes a supplication, so that the other party does not feel obligated. In Japanese culture, it is considered rude to ask or impose things, for that, the person needs to plead.

What is the difference between kudasai and onegai?

The sentences below can use both Onegai and Kudasai:

Kitte wo kudasai. 切手をください. Please give me stamps.	Kitte (wo) onegaishimasu. 切手(を)お願いします. Please give me stamps.
Mizu wo kudasai. 水をください. Water, please.	Mizu (wo) onegaishimasu. 水(を)お願いします. Water, please.

In both situations, either of the two can be used, it is noted that the use of the particle wo is not mandatory when using onegai. However, there are some situations where only “onegai shimasu” is used.

(1) When asking to do some service.

Tokyo eki made onegaishimasu. 東京駅までお願いします。	Please, to Tokyo Station. (with a taxi driver)
Yoyaku wo onegai dekimasu ka. 予約をお願いできますか。	Can I make a reservation?
Kokusai denwa onegaishimasu. 国際電話お願いします。	International phone call, please. (on the phone)

(2) When asking to speak with someone on the phone:

Kazuko-san onegaishimasu. 和子さんお願いします。

Can I speak with Kazuko?

In the verbs in the “te” form, when asking for an action (like: listen, speak, respond) the “Kudasai” should be used, in these cases onegai cannot be used.

Chotto matte kudasai. ちょっと待ってください。	Please wait a moment.
Nihongo wo Oshiete kudasai. 日本語を教えてください。	Please teach me Japanese.
Ashita kite kudasai. 明日来てください。	Please come tomorrow.

The Onegai can be used together with a verb/action if it comes at the beginning of the sentence, in these cases します (shimasu) is not used. See some examples below:

Onegai, watashi ni hanashite. お願い、私に話して。	Please, talk to me.
Onegai, shinanai de. お願い、死なないで。	Please, don’t die.
Nee, onegai. ねえ、お願い。	Hey, please.

From these examples, we can conclude that:

お願いします (onegaishimasu) is used:

• When we ask for things, the particle wo [を] is not necessary;
• When calling someone’s attention; for example, a waiter/waitress;
• Use onegaishimasu when requesting a service that you cannot fulfill;
• Use onegaishimasu when asking someone over the phone;
• In informal cases, you can just use Onegai;
• To say onegaishimasu is like saying: “I entrust this to you”;

ください (kudasai) is used:

1. After the particle wo [を];
2. When asking for something that involves an action, along with the verb in the -te [て] form;

I hope this article has helped you understand the difference between saying kudasai and onegai. If you liked it, share and comment! You might also want to see the 72 different ways to say thank you in Japanese.

Sources: japanese.about.com, japaneseverbconjugator, jisho.org