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JLPT N5Verb Forms

てください(te kudasai) — Polite Request / Instruction

The standard way to politely make a request, give an instruction, or tell someone what to do. Though it translates as 'please', it functions as a direct (top-down) instruction from the speaker.

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Free lessonUNIT 2 · VERB FORMS

Structure · 形

[Verb te-form] + ください

Examples · 例文

  • ちょっと待ってください。

    Chotto matte kudasai.

    Please wait a moment.

    待って (te-form of 待つ) + ください

  • ここに名前を書いてください。

    Koko ni namae o kaite kudasai.

    Please write your name here.

    書いて (te-form of 書く) + ください

  • ゆっくり話してください。

    Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.

    Please speak slowly.

    話して (te-form of 話す) + ください

Usage notes · 注意

  • Negative Requests: To say 'Please do NOT…', do not use the te-form — use the ない-form + でください: 走らないでください (please don't run).
  • Formality Level: Despite the 'please', this is a top-down instruction. To ask a superior for a favor, use a humbler request such as ていただけませんか (Would you kindly…?).

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones てください is tested against.

vsないでください (negative request)

てください asks someone TO do something; ないでください asks them NOT to (書いてください = please write / 書かないでください = please don't write).

vsていただけませんか (humble request)

てください is a polite but direct instruction (fine to a peer, subordinate, or in service contexts); ていただけませんか is far more deferential and appropriate for asking a boss or teacher a favor.

More verb forms

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